The UMBC Softball team begins America East play by hosting UMass Lowell this weekend at The Diamond. The two teams will play at noon on both Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday being a double header.

Last time out  Emily Riggs hit her team-best sixth homer of the year, but the Retrievers fell to visiting Hofstra, 4-2, on Wednesday afternoon.

Ella Squaires hit a leadoff single, stole second and then scored on Riggs' opposite field homer to put the Dawgs up 2-0 in the first. Jerzie Nutile then drew a walk, but the final 20 Retrievers were retired in order. 

Kya Matter entered in relief and pitched the final 4.2 innings, allowing just one run and striking out seven.

Scouting the River Hawks:

Sophomore Olivia DeCitise (Troy, N.Y.) was composed in the circle, striking out seven, as UMass Lowell (4-14) earned the 3-1 win versus Massachusetts (5-18) at River View Field on Wednesday afternoon in a Kennedy Cup battle.  

Freshman Emily Baumes (Rexford, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and one run. Freshman Taylor Dolan (Holbrook, Mass.) and sophomore Alaina Santoli (Lovettsville, Va.) were each credited with a stolen base. DeCitise threw the full seven, grabbing the win and only allowing five hits to post an ERA of 1.00 on the day.