LOWELL, MA (Apr. 13, 2008) – Freshman DP Hilary Hopkins (Poway, CA) batted 3 for 6 with three RBI and a run as UMass Lowell 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 entering Wednesday’s twin bill at home against Merrimack (3:00). The victories also put the River Hawks in sole possession of third place in the NE-10 and will likely catapult them into the NCAA Northeast Region poll, released on Wednesday.

Stonehill slipped to 15-11 overall and 7-5 in the Conference.

Hopkins was among several River Hawks with stellar efforts on the day. Senior LF Laurie Tanguay (Lowell, MA) drove in five runs while sophomore 3B Heather Ross (Waltham, MA) batted 4 for 6 with two runs.

In the opener, Stonehill posted a 15-9 advantage on hits and 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, MA) and an RBI single by senior LF Jaime Ippolito (Chelsea, MA).

The River Hawks, however, answered with two runs in the sixth when 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.

UML opened the scoring in the third inning behind an RBI single by senior C Julie Brodie (Chelmsford, MA). The Skyhawks loaded the bases with two out in the fourth and had a golden chance to take a significant lead, but junior CF Stacey Lajoie (Gardner, MA) robbed junior CF Kate Brides (West Bridgewater, MA) of a sure extra-base hit with an over-the-shoulder diving catch in straightaway center to end the inning.

Brodie batted 2 for 3 with one RBI while Ross also hit 2 for 3 with two runs to lead UML. Tanguay went 1 for 3 with three RBI.

Ippolito led Stonehill, hitting 2 for 4 with two RBI while Young went 2 for 5 with three RBI. Senior 3B Stephanie Folan (Glen Cove, NY) also hit 2 for 4 with two runs while senior RF Gina Vivona (Seaford, NY) went 2 for 4. Brides and senior SS Lauren Rappoli (Wilmington, MA) each batted 2 for 5.

Sophomore P Lindsay Farmer (Kingston, NH) earned the win to improve to 7-5. Farmer scattered 11 hits, four runs (earned) and four walks while striking out two. Freshman P Emily Wolf (Salem, NH) earned her first save of the season as she replaced Farmer with two out in the sixth and surrendered four hits, two runs (earned) and a walk.

Senior P Danielle Mason (Salisbury, MA) took the loss, allowing eight hits, six runs (four earned) and two walks while striking out two to slip to 6-5 this season.

In the nightcap, Lajoie belted an RBI triple and Tanguay an RBI single to spur a three-run third inning to lift the River Hawks. UML opened the scoring in the first inning when sophomore 2B Katie Hebert (Lowell, MA) singled, advanced to third on a single by senior 1B Jachael Guanci (Everett, MA) and scored on a groundout by Tanguay.

The Skyhawks threatened in the fourth when it loaded the bases with none out, but could only muster one run on an RBI single by senior C Caitlin Flanagan (Cornwall, NY). 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 none out, but only came away with one run when freshman 2B Ashley Langlois (Ridgefield, CT) scored on a fielder’s choice by Rappoli.

Hopkins went 2 for 3 with two RBI while Ross also batted 2 for 3. Hebert hit 2 for 4 with two runs while Tanguay batted 1 for 3 with two RBI. Freshman P Nicole Monroe (Townsend, MA) allowed seven hits, two runs (earned) and two walks while striking out two to improve to 3-1.

Sophomore P Kait Mendall (Middleboro, MA) took the loss as she scattered eight hits, four runs (earned) and no walks while striking out two to slip to 1-2.

Folan and Young each led Stonehill offensively, hitting 2 for 4.