VESTAL, N.Y. – Trinadey Santiago and Brenna Davenport each belted a three-run homer, powering UMass Lowell (14-26, 8-10 AE) to a 5-4, 6-1 sweep over Binghamton (31-16, 13-6 AE) in an America East doubleheader on Friday at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. single game.

With one game left in the regular season, the Bearcats are tied with UAlbany for first place in the America East. The Great Danes, however, hold the tiebreak by virtue of taking two out of three games in their series against the Bearcats April 20-21. Sitting a half game back in third place is Bryant, with a 13-7 record.

The Bearcats need a victory on Saturday and a loss by the Great Danes against Maine to claim the regular-season title outright. Binghamton would share the regular-season crown if it wins Saturday's game and UAlbany defeats the Black Bears.

In Friday's first game, Sanitiago clubbed her three-run home run in the top of the second inning, giving UMass Lowell at 3-1 lead. In the top of the fifth inning, Morgan Fisher singled home two more runs, padding the advantage to 5-1.

The Bearcats nearly came back for the victory in the opener. In the bottom of the fifth inning, redshirt junior outfielder Lindsey Walter tripled home a run and scored one batter later on an RBI single by senior pitcher Allison L'Amoreaux.

Sophomore outfielder Bella Farina trimmed the deficit to 5-4 with an RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth inning. Binghamton, however, left the bases loaded at the end of the frame.

Ryley White – who went the distance in the first game – retired the side in the bottom of the seventh inning, raising her record to 11-9. L'Amoreaux – who went 2-for-4 and homered  – took the loss on the mound, dropping her record to 12-5.

Walter also finished the first game 2-for-4.

In the nightcap, Davenport capped a four-run top of the sixth inning with her three-run blast over the left field fence. The River Hawks came into the frame nursing a 2-1 lead and ended it with a 6-1 cushion.

Giana LeCedra scattered one run on three hits and struck out six batters to improve to 2-8 on the season. The run she allowed in the bottom of the first inning was unearned due to a throwing error.
Sophomore Olivia Kennedy was tagged with the loss. She is now 9-3.

Walter hit a team-best .429 (3-for-7) during the doubleheader while L'Amoreaux and sophomore designated player Emma Lawson both went 2-for-6. L'Amoreaux now has seven home runs and a team-best 30 RBI.

Saturday's game will be preceded by Binghamton's annual Senior Day Ceremony at 12:45. Being honored are L'Amoreaux, Hailey Ehlers, Gabby Guerrero, Shelby Carvalho and Alex Musial.