Senior Rosie Gomez hit two home runs and finished with five RBI, but it was not enough as the Canisius softball team dropped games to UMBC and Lehigh on the first day of the UMBC Round Robin Saturday at the Diamond at UMBC in Baltimore, Md. 

The Golden Griffins (6-10) began the day with an 8-6 setback to the hosts Retrievers (5-17) before falling to the Mountain Hawks (10-14) in eight innings, 6-5. 

UMBC RECAP
UMBC got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning on a double from Parker Kraus. Canisius tied the game in the top of the second on a solo home run from Gomez, only the Retrievers regain the lead in the bottom of the frame when Meghan Shirey singled to plate a run.

A bases-clearing double from Maggie Firsvold in the bottom of the third extended the UMBC lead to four. The Retrievers stretched their lead in the fourth, plating two more runs to make it a 8-1 game.

The Griffs attempted to mount a comeback in the final two innings, with Gomez connecting on her second solo shot of the game followed by freshman Vivi Vargas hitting a bases-clearing triple in the top of the sixth to trim the deficit to 8-5. Freshman Tabitha von Kolen scored on an error in the top of the seventh to pull Canisius within two and the Griffs moved the trying run into scoring position later in the inning, but the Retrievers ended the threat to secure the victory. 

Senior Toria Kover got the start in the circle for Canisius, allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out four in 2.2 innings of work. Freshman Mikaila Obenrader came in for relief, allowing five runs in 1.1 innings in the circle. Senior Kate Wiggins came in for the final two innings of the game, surrendering just one hit with two strikeouts.

LEHIGH RECAP
The teams traded a run in the first inning, as Canisius struck first in the top of the frame with sophomore Ella Johel scoring on fielder's choice from Gomez. The Mountain Hawks tied the game in the bottom half of the frame on a solo home run from Julia Mrochko.

Lehigh took the lead in the bottom of the second with a triple from Abbey Tabaka and a double from Lizzie Kern to pull in front, 3-1. The Griffs got one run back in the top of the third on a Bailey Alatorre double that brought home Emily Ilano to trim the deficit to 3-2.

The Mountain Hawks extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth with a triple from Rory Dudley and a double from Tabaka to build a 5-2 cushion. 

The Golden Griffins tied the game in the top of the seventh as a double from freshman Mikayla Hussar brought home Vargas before a Gomez double plated Ilano and von Kolen to send the game to extra innings. After Canisius was unable to plate a run in the top of the eighth, Lehigh walked it off in the bottom of the frame with a single from Maddy Schmeiser.

Sophomore Olivia Manchester got the start in the circle for Canisius in the nightcap, throwing 3.0 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out two. Sophomore Olivia Herrington came in for relief, allowing two hits and one run in 4.1 innings of work.

GAME NOTES
• Vargas recorded three hits in a game for the second time this season as she finished with three base knocks against UMBC. 
• Gomez hit two home runs in a game for the first time since April 2, 2023 against Marist with her two-homer performance versus the Retrievers. 
• Canisius recorded double-digit hits for the fourth straight game as they finished with 10 base knocks against the Retrievers, highlighted by their four extra-base hits. 
• Hanna Hagerman tied her career high with two hits against UMBC. 
• Alatorre recorded multiple hits in both contests on Saturday, going 2-for-4 in both games. 
• von Kolen tallied her fifth multi-hit game of the season with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate against the Mountain Hawks. 

UP NEXT
Canisius wraps up the UMBC Round Robin Sunday. The Griffs are scheduled to face Lehigh at 9 a.m. and Colgate at 11:30 a.m.