KISSIMMEE, FL - The University of Hartford softball team extended its winning streak to six games on Thursday with a 3-2 win over Fairleigh Dickinson University and a 14-4 win over Manhattan University at the Rebel Games.

The Hawks (8-6 overall) have won seven of their last eight games. Freshman Brittney Stratton (6-2 overall) picked up the win against FDU and a save against Manhattan. Classmate Gina Massaro was credited with the win against the Jaspers.

Hartford got out to a 1-0 lead against FDU with an RBI single in the first inning from senior Nikki Thompson. The Knights would tie the game in the third, though Stratton worked out of a bases loaded jam to limit the damage. Hartford went up for good with two runs in the fifth, the game winner coming on a double by sophomore Jackie Simonetty.

FDU threatened again in the sixth and nearly tied the game. With runners at second and third with only one out, Stratton got the next batter to strike out before allowing a single to center. The Knights scored the runner from third and tried to score the runner from second, but senior Kristie Rochette kept the Hawks ahead by gunning down the runner from cetner field.

Stratton took care of things in the seventh to pick up her sixth straight win. She threw seven innings and allowed two runs on eight hits while recording seven strikeouts.

Against Manhattan the Hawks had a 5-0 lead after three innings. Sophomore Kristen Cericola drove in a pair with a single in the second while classmate Amanda Sais added an RBI single in the third.

The Jaspers made it a game with four runs in the fifth, all of which were unearned. Manhattan had the game-tying run at second with two outs when Stratton relieved Massaro (4.2 IP, 3K) and got out of the inning with a strikeout. She then kept the Jaspers on their heels for the rest of the game, striking out four more batters without allowing a hit.

Hartford finally blew the game open with three runs in the sixth and six more in the seventh. Rochette and freshmen Olivia Piacentini and Amanda Dilworth each had RBI singles while Thompson added a pair of RBI singles.

Hartford will have another day off before closing out the Rebel Games against Yale and Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, March 17.