The Black Bears, who are 12-4 at home over the past two seasons, enter action after a two-game weekend split at UAlbany last weekend. Originally scheduled for a three-game set, Sunday's series finale in Albany was canceled due to weather. It was a tightly contested Saturday doubleheader for the two teams as the Black Bears were nipped in eight innings by the defending America East Tournament champions, 4-3, before taking game two, 4-3. Senior Kristen Niland paced the offensive attack with a pair of hits, including her fourth career home run, and four RBIs. Kyleigh O'Donnell picked up the win in the circle for the Black Bears after going 6.0 innings while giving up three runs with two strikeouts. Annie Kennedy earned the save in the victory after earning a no-decision in game one in 7.0 innings of work in which she gave up just two runs with six strikeouts.

SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS:
Rachel Carlson checks in at .344 on the season and leads all America East batters with 33 total hits. Carlson, who has notched nine multi-hit games, including five three hit performances, enters play with Maine's active leading hit streak (3). Carlson's 16 runs are a team-best and checks in third in the league in the category. Maddie Decker is hitting .312 while her 19 RBI are tied for an America East best. Her three home runs are tied for the team lead, along with Alyssa Derrick, while her slugging mark of .468 is a current Black Bear best. Erika Leonard has had the hot stick for the Black Bears as she has reached base safely in seven straight games while raising her average to .271. Leonard has scored 15 runs, fourth highest among league leaders, while working 10 walks. Laurine German is hitting .262 with 12 runs while Kristen Niland checks in at .247 with a team-best five doubles.

In the circle, Annie Kennedy is 6-3 with a league-low 1.66 ERA over 71.2 innings. Kennedy, who saw her streak of consecutive innings without surrendering a walk stop at 36.1 in her last start at UAlbany, has issued just seven walks this season to go along with 56 strikeouts. Freshman Lilly Volk is 1-1 in the circle in 13 appearances with a 3.34 ERA. Kyleigh O'Donnell, who picked up Maine's lone win last weekend against the Great Danes, is 3-6 with a 4.63 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 48.1 innings. Senior Molly Flowers has posted a 2-5 mark with a 6.15 ERA to go along with 34 strikeouts in 33.0 innings of work.

SCOUTING THE RIVER HAWKS:
After dropping its conference opener at UMBC, the River Hawks have reeled off five consecutive league wins to move into first place in the America East at 5-1. UMass Lowell is recently coming off a three-game weekend sweep against Hartford, ending all three games in the sixth inning while outscoring the Hawks 34-7. For the impressive weekend, the River Hawks were rewarded with the America East Player of the Week, Courtney Cashman (1.909 OPS, .727 average, eight hits), and the America East Rookie of the Week, Sarah Ratcliffe (seven RBI, four runs). On the season, Cashman is hitting .365 with 19 runs, nine doubles and 11 RBI. Cashman's nine runs are a current league high. Marianne Sparacia leads the River Hawk offense, and the America East, with a .383 mark to go along with 31 hits, 16 runs and five RBI. Casey Harding (.337) and Sara Siteman (.306) round out the .300+ hitters for UMass Lowell. Harding leads the River Hawks in both home runs (4) and RBI (16).

Lovina Capria has been UMass Lowell's leader in the circle as she checks in at 8-3 on the season with nine complete games. Capria features a 2.54 ERA to go along with 65 strikeouts in 74.1 innings. Capria is the America East leader in both wins and strikeouts.

-UMaine-