LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell softball team (16-17, 4-4 AE) dropped a doubleheader against Bryant (13-15, 7-1 AE) on Friday afternoon at River View Field, falling 2-0 in the opener before an 8-0 decision in five innings in game two.
Freshman Julia Rowley (Beacon Falls, Conn.) led the River Hawks offensively on the day, collecting two hits, including a double in game two. Sophomore Thyanais Santiago (Methuen, Mass.) added a hit and reached base twice, while junior Isabel Quintanilla (Puyallup, Wash.) recorded Lowell's lone hit in game one.
Game 1: UMass Lowell 0, Bryant 2
Both sides were held quiet early, as junior Giana LaCedra (Tyngsborough, Mass.) worked through four innings in the circle, allowing just one earned run while striking out four.
The Bulldogs broke through in the fifth, taking advantage of a leadoff double before stringing together two walks and a pair of run-scoring plays to take a 2-0 lead.
UMass Lowell's best chance came in the fifth, when Quintanilla singled to left center and moved into scoring position, but Bryant was able to work out of the inning and keep the River Hawks off the board.
Freshman Ella Van Alstyne (Beacon Falls, Conn.) added three scoreless innings in relief, striking out four to keep the deficit at two.
Game 2: UMass Lowell 0, Bryant 8 (5 Inn.)
Bryant carried momentum into game two, using a three-run first inning to take an early lead behind a pair of RBI hits.
The Bulldogs extended their advantage in the fourth, capitalizing on a leadoff triple before adding a two-run home run and a pair of RBI singles to stretch the margin to 8-0.
Rowley highlighted the offense in game two with a double and a walk, while Santiago added a single and a walk.
Junior Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) got the start in the circle, and freshmen Grace Rowan (Hood River, Ore.) and Jessika Jennings (Roy, Wash.) combined for relief appearances, with Jennings recording the final five outs without allowing a hit.
Up Next
The River Hawks will wrap up the series against Bryant tomorrow at 12 p.m. at River View Field.
