LOWELL, MA (Apr. 30, 2008) – Sophomore Lindsay Farmer (Kingston, NH) and freshman Nicole Monroe (Townsend, MA) gave up a combined six hits but fell short as Southern Connecticut State University defeated UMass Lowell, 1-0 and 2-0, Wednesday in a Northeast-10 Conference softball twin bill at River View Field.

With the losses, UML slipped to 24-24 overall and 17-11 in the NE-10 and garnered the No. 4 seed entering this weekend’s NE-10 Tournament. Southern Connecticut, which clinched the No. 3 seed, improved to 24-25 overall and 17-11 in the Conference.

In the opener, senior P Jessica Dempsey (Stratford, CT) hurled a four-hitter and junior 1B Brittany Gandley (Holbrook, NY) doubled and scored on a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning to account for the only run

Dempsey also surrendered one walk and struckout three to improve to 6-4. Farmer scattered two hits, four walks and an earned run while striking out three to slip to 11-12.

The River Hawks threatened in the seventh inning with two runners on and one out, but the Owls retired two straight batters to seal the win.

Senior C Julie Brodie (Chelmsford, MA) led the River Hawks, hitting 1 for 2 with a walk.

In the nightcap, sophomore P Kerry Iacomini (Pleasant Valley, NY) allowed just one and no walks while striking out three to improve to 5-6. Monroe took the loss as she allowed four hits, two walks and two runs (one earned) in slipping to 8-6.

SCSU scored two runs in the fifth inning, the first on an RBI single by sophomore CF Julianne Flood (Poughquag, NY). Freshman 2B Robin Priest (Cheshire, CT), who reached on an error, later scored on a passed ball.