Softball win first America East series since 2013

Hartford softball has secured its first America East series victory since 2013, topping Maine with a score of 1-0 in game one, and 4-2 in game two of their series on Saturday, April 13.

The first game of the weekend series between the Hartford Hawks and Maine Black Bears was a nailbiter.  After three scoreless innings to start the game, freshman Paige Fedak hit a solo home run to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Freshman pitcher Julianna Kocenski allowed only one hit through the remainder of the contest, securing Hartford’s second shutout of the season, and leading them to the 1-0 victory

In game two, the Hawks wasted little time before getting on the board.  Sophomore Nicolette Barranger singled to start the game, then took advantage of two errors to help her cross home plate. Hartford increased its lead to 2-0 in that same inning, following a sacrifice fly from sophomore Kiana Harris that brought home sophomore Danielle Rocheleau.

Maine tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, but Hartford would answer two innings later. In the seventh inning, Rocheleau hit a beauty down the right field line, bringing in sophomore Lily Sencer and junior Madison Hilimire giving the Hawks a 4-2 lead.

Things got scary for the Hawks when the Black Bears brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Kocenski was clutch and forced a fly out to wrap up the 4-2 victory, .

In the final game of the series on Sunday, April 14, Hartford lost to Maine, 5-2. Maine came out hot in this one, scoring five runs through the first three innings. Hartford, not willing to back down, put up a rallying effort in the top of the fourth. Freshman Emma Curry came to the plate with runners in scoring position, and beat out an infield single, scoring senior Kylie Dazalla. Freshman Hayley Cassidy came around to score on the same play, thanks in part to a Maine error, making the score 5-2.

In the top of the seventh, the Hawks were in good position make a comeback with the tying run up at the plate, however they could not capitalize, as Maine won game three of the series, with a final score of 5-2.