The UMBC softball team begins it's quest for a second-straight America East title when it hosts fourth-seeded UMass Lowell on Thursday at 1 p.m. to open the America East Tournament at The Diamond at UMBC. 

UMBC (22-11, 11-5 AE) is hosting the tournament for the first time ever, as it won its first ever America East Regular Season title this past weekend. The Retrievers took two-of-three at Stony Brook to lock up the title. 

Senior Maddie Daigneau (New River, Ariz.) leads the team with a .350 average, 36 hits, 30 runs and 16 stolen bases. She picked up her 200th career hit last weekend, and also became the UMBC all-time leader in triples with 16. She also picked up her 65th career steal, moving her into sole possession of fourth on the UMBC all-time list.

Courtney Coppersmith (York, Pa.), Ashley Della Guardia (Phoenixville, Pa.) and Sierra Pierce (Youngstown, Ohio) are tied for the team lead in RBI, with 18, while Madison Wilson (Abingdon, Md.) leads the team with four homers.

Coppersmith leads the rotation with a 16-2 record, a 0.71 ERA and a save. Sophomore Madie Leach (Erie, Colo.) has seen success this year, as she is 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA. 

The teams split a doubleheader up in Lowell on April 24th. The Retrievers took game one, 5-0 behind a 17-strikeout no-hitter by Coppersmith, but UMass Lowell took the second game, 4-1. 

Scouting UMass Lowell

The River Hawks (13-16, 9-7 AE) are led on offense by three-time America East All-Conference First Team honoree Courtney Cashman, who is batting .382 with 11 homers and 26 RBI. Sarah Ratcliffe is batting .376 with three homers and 17 RBI. 

Sophomore Ryley White leads the pitching staff with an 8-2 record and a 1.67 ERA. Lovina Capria is 3-6 with a 3.60 ERA.