ALBANY, N.Y. – The UMass Lowell softball team (14-14, 3-1 AE) erased two deficits and forced extra innings, but ultimately came up short in a 7-6 loss to UAlbany (11-10, 2-2 AE) on Friday afternoon at UAlbany Field.

"We fought hard against a good team," said head coach Jen Starek. "We were right there all day, but it came down to a couple plays. Now we have to reset and be ready for Sunday."

Sophomore Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) led the River Hawks offensively, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Sophomore Thyanais Santiago (Methuen, Mass.) finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while freshman Caroline Calkins (Orting, Wash.) belted a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Freshman Ella Van Alstyne (Beacon Falls, Conn.) added two hits, including a triple, as UMass Lowell totaled 11 hits in the contest.

Junior Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) went the distance in the circle for the River Hawks, striking out seven in 7.1 innings of work.

UAlbany got on the board first in the opening inning, using a throwing error and a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. The Great Danes then added two more in the third on a two-run home run to move in front, 3-0.

The River Hawks answered in the fourth with a big inning to take their first lead of the day. Junior Isabel Quintanilla (Puyallup, Wash.) singled to start the frame before Santiago drove in a run with a double to left center. Later in the inning, Calkins launched a three-run homer to put UMass Lowell in front, 4-3.

The lead was short-lived, though, as UAlbany responded in the bottom of the fifth with a three-run homer of its own to reclaim a 6-4 advantage.

UMass Lowell battled back again in the sixth. Santiago singled and sophomore Avery Spinello-Branch (Lorton, Va.) followed with a base hit to put two on for Baumes, who came through with a two-run double down the left field line to even the score at 6-6.

Both teams were held scoreless in the seventh to send the game to extras. After the River Hawks were retired in order in the top of the eighth, UAlbany used a walk and a sacrifice bunt to set up the winning run before delivering a walk-off RBI single in the bottom half.

Up Next
The River Hawks will continue the series at UAlbany with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 29. First pitch is set for 12 p.m., with game two to follow at 2 p.m.