BOSTON – Conference play kicked off this week in America East softball with UMass Lowell earning a sweep over Maine while UAlbany and Bryant each secured their first conference wins of the season.
UMass Lowell started the weekend strong with a 12-11 win against Maine on Friday. The River Hawks came back, scoring five runs in the seventh inning to tie the game and then walked it off in the bottom of the eighth. They went on to outscore Maine by 12 runs on Saturday, giving them a 3-0 start to conference play.
Bryant began the week with 4-1 win over Yale. They carried the momentum into the weekend with a 6-3 win over UAlbany to secure their first conference win of the season. The Great Danes were able to respond Saturday with a 9-3 in their second match-up before Bryant took the series on Sunday.
The Binghamton-UMBC series scheduled for March 21-22 was canceled. Per America East policy, Binghamton has been awarded three conference wins and UMBC assessed three conference losses. Per NCAA rules, the games are no contests and will not be reflected in either team's overall record.
Maine, UMass Lowell and UAlbany face non conference opponents on Wednesday before conference play continues Saturday and Sunday.
2026 #AESB Weekly Award Winner – Mar. 24
Player of the Week
Thyanais Santiago, UMass Lowell – So., Outfield, Methuen, Mass.
- Finished the weekend hitting .429 (3-for-7) with a team-high seven RBI, while adding a double, five runs scored and three walks.
- Drove in the tying run in Saturday’s 5–1 win over Maine, contributing in all three games of the sweep.
- This is Santiago’s first #AESB Player of the Week honor of the year.
Pitcher of the Week
Maddy Wachter, Bryant – So., Pitcher, Concord, N.H.
- Went 3-0 this week with three complete games and produced a 2.21 ERA while allowing only six runs and striking out ten.
- Wachter went 2-0 against UAlbany with a 2.92 ERA and six strikeouts.
- This is Wachter’s first #AESB Pitcher of the Week honor this year & second of her career.
Rookie of the Week
Katie Parisi, UAlbany – Fr., Pitcher, Glen Rock, Pa.
- Slashed .500/.500/.900 over the weekend with two runs, five hits, five RBI, and a home run.
- Had four RBI on two hits, including a home run, in a win at Bryant
- This is Parisi’s second #AESB Pitcher of the Week honor this year.
The preseason poll was released on January 20.
2026 #AESB Weekly Award Winners
Feb. 9 – Player of the Week: Emma Lawson, Binghamton; Pitcher of the Week: Brianna Roberts, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Julia Rowley, UMass Lowell
Feb. 17 – Player of the Week: Mary Kate Murray, UAlbany; Pitcher of the Week: Maggie Frisvold, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Katie Parisi, UAlbany
Feb. 24 – Player of the Week: Keira Inman, Maine; Pitcher of the Week: Olivia Decitise, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Alli Goetz, Maine
Mar. 3 – Player of the Week: Bryce Clendenin, Bryant; Pitcher of the Week: Hayley Wieczerzak, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Julia Pike, UAlbany
Mar. 10 – Co-Player of the Week: Emily Riggs, UMBC & Rachel Carey, Binghamton; Pitcher of the Week: Olivia DeCitise, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Lauren Payne, Binghamton
Mar. 17 – Player & Rookie of the Week: Julia Pike, UAlbany; Pitcher of the Week: Jayda Koontz, UMBC
Mar. 24 – Player of the Week: Thyanais Santiago, UMass Lowell; Pitcher of the Week: Maddy Wachter, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Katie Parisi, UAlbany
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