Skyhawks Swept By River Hawks
Lowell, Mass. - UMass-Lowell freshman Hilary Hopkins went 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored as the River Hawks defeated Stonehill, 8-6 and 5-2, Sunday in a Northeast-10 Conference softball doubleheader at River View Field.
With the sweep, UML improved to 15-11 overall and 9-3 in the NE-10 while Stonehill slipped to 15-11 overall and 7-5 in the Conference.
In the opener, Stonehill posted a 15-9 advantage on hits but stranded 15 runners, including 10 over their first five innings.
UML had a 6-0 lead after five innings, but the Skyhawks countered with four runs in the sixth, led by a two-run double by junior DH Courtney Young (Danvers, Mass.) and an RBI single by senior LF Jaime Ippolito (Chelsea, Mass.).
The River Hawks, however, answered with two runs in the sixth when Laurie Tanguay belted a two-run triple to right center. The Skyhawks pulled two runs back in the seventh behind an RBI single by Young and a sacrifice fly by Ippolito, but could come no closer.
Ippolito led Stonehill, going 2-for-4 with two RBI while, Young went 2-for-5 with three RBI. Stephanie Folan (Glen Cove, N.Y.) also went 2-for-4 with two runs while senior Gina Vivona (Seaford, N.Y.) went 2-for-4.
Lindsay Farmer earned the win scattering 11 hits, four runs and four walks while striking out two. Freshman P Emily Wolf earned her first save of the season as she replaced Farmer with two out in the sixth and surrendered four hits, two runs and a walk.
Danielle Mason (Salisbury, Mass.) took the loss, allowing eight hits, six runs (four earned) and two walks while striking out two, falling to 6-5 on the season.
In the nightcap, Stacey Lajoie, who had a highlight reel catch in game one, belted an RBI triple and Tanguay added an RBI single in a three-run third inning.
The Skyhawks threatened in the fourth when it loaded the bases with no outs, but could only muster one run on an RBI single by Caitlin Flanagan (Cornwall, N.Y.). After an RBI single by Hopkins gave UML a 5-1 lead in the fifth, Stonehill again threatened in the seventh with the bases loaded and no outs, but only came away with one run when Ashley Langlois (Ridgefield, Conn.) scored on a fielder's choice by Lauren Rappoli.
Nicole Monroe allowed seven hits, two runs (earned) and two walks while striking out two to improve to 3-1, while sophomore Kait Mendall (Middleboro, Mass.) took the loss as she scattered eight hits, four runs (earned) and no walks while striking out two.
Folan and Young each led Stonehill offensively, hitting 2 for 4.
The Skyhawks return to the diamond when they host American International on Tuesday at Fr. Gartland Field.