LOWELL, Massachusetts -- The University of Maine softball team was defeated by the University of Massachusetts Lowell in both games of their afternoon doubleheader in Lowell, Massachusetts.
 
Game One - Maine: 2 UMass Lowell: 5
 
Sarah Ratcliffe broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning with a solo blast. The eight hitter gave her squad a 1-0 lead after two complete in Lowell.
 
The River Hawks hit another home run, this time in the bottom of the fourth. Maria Moccio gave UMass Lowell a two run advantage on the second home run of the game.
 
The home runs continued when Amanda Nee crushed her first homerun of the 2019 season. Maine only trailed by one after the top of the fifth.
 
Olivia Labbe joined the home run parade with the fourth solo shot of game number one. Lowell's third home run bumped their lead back to two. With the bases loaded, Sara Siteman doubled down the left field line. Two runners came around the score on the extra base hit.
 
Maine would get one back in the top of sixth on an Alyssa Derrick double. With runners on second and third and no outs, the Black Bears were unable to score and trailed by three after their half of the sixth. It was as close as Maine would get as the River Hawks held onto the three run lead to win game on of the afternoon.
 
Notes:

• Kyleigh O'Donnell (1-4) started the game and went the 4.0 innings for the Black Bears. The sophomore allowed two earned runs and struck out five. Lilly Volk went the final 2.0 innings and allowed three earned.
• Amanda Nee paced the Black Bears' offense with her first homerun of the year. Alyssa Derrick crushed a double off the fence and drove in the other Maine run.

 
Game Two - Maine: 3 UMass Lowell: 5
 
With the bases loaded and nobody out, the River Hawks were only able to manage one run on a walk. A ground out, an interference call, and a strike out aided Emily Reid in her escape act in the bottom of the first inning.
 
UMass Lowell added a single run in the bottom of the third when Courtney Cashman crossed the plate on a fielder's choice.
 
Keely Clark and Meghan Royle were in scoring position when Maddie Kimble stepped into the box. The Avon, Ohio native lined a single to right-center scoring both Clark and Royle. The game was tied 2-2 after the Black Bears' half of the fourth.
 
Maddie Decker gave her squad their first lead of the day when the senior lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Laurine German from third base. The Black Bears led 3-2 after the top of the fifth.
 
Answering the Maine run with a run of their own, the River Hawks' Moccio singled through the right side and drove home Cashman. After five complete, the game was tied at three.
 
As was the Achilles' Heel in the first game, home runs hurt Maine in game number two. Melany Sheldon hit a solo home run in the bottom of the six to give UMass Lowell the lead for good. The River Hawks would add another run on a single and hold a 5-3 lead after six.

Emma Larke and Amanda MacBurnie, both pinch hitters, reach base to start the top of the 7th. On the very first pitch she saw, Laurine German drove home both of her teammates to tie that score at five runs apiece. 

In the bottom of the eight inning, Moccio hit the fifth River Hawk home run of the day. This time it was a walk-off two run home run to earn the afternoon sweep of the Black Bears.
 
Notes:

• Emily Reid (2-7) went 7.2 innings for Maine. The freshman allowed seven earned runs and struck out one.
• Maddie Kimble drove in two runs with her single, while Maddie Decker tallied the other RBI.

Next: The two America East foes will do battle tomorrow, March 31 for the final time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-