WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford softball team opened its America East schedule with a pair of wins over Binghamton University on Saturday afternoon at the UH Softball Field.
Hartford picked up 7-2 and 3-1 victories in its home opener to improve to 11-11 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Binghamton dropped to 2-11 overall and 0-2 in the America East.
Freshmen Brittney Stratton and Gina Massaro earned complete-game wins inside the circle. Stratton (7-5 overall) pitched the first game and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out three. She also walked six and hit four batters. Massaro (4-5 overall) gave up one run on five hits while striking out four and walking none.
In the first game, Hartford jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman Rachel Clonick started the frame with a double down the line before Binghamton starter Cyrilla Suker walked the next two batters to load the bases. Freshman Amanda Dilworth almost cleared the bases with one swing, sending a shot to the fence in left field. The ball missed going over the fence by three feet and resulted in a two-run double. Sophomore Amanda Sais later plated another pair of runs with a single down the third base line.
Binghamton got a run back in the third on an RBI single by Mia Bieman. The Bearcats almost scored a second run but had a runner thrown out at the plate to end the inning. Senior catcher Nikki Thompson successfully blocked the plate as Stratton, who was backing up the play, picked up an overthrown ball and flipped it to the dish for the force.
The Bearcats cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fourth when, with runners at second and third with no outs, Megan Quinn plated a run with a ground out to second base. After hitting the next batter to load the bases, Stratton worked out of the jam by getting the next two Bearcats to fly out to left.
The Hawks added three insurance runs in the sixth on a three-run homer by sophomore Jackie Simonetty, her first of the season. While Hartford wouldn't need the runs, Binghamton threatened in the final inning and loaded the bases with only one out. Christina Quijano then lined a shot to center that looked like it would drop, though senior Kristie Rochette made a running catch and then fired to second base for a game-ending double play.
Binghamton got out to a 1-0 lead in the second game on an RBI single by Patty Egan. The Hawks then took the lead with two runs in the third, both of which scored on a triple to right center by Clonick. Hartford then added the final run of the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to center by sophomore Kristen Cericola.
Sais went 3-for-4 in the game and had four hits and two RBI on the day. Dilworth also finished with a pair of hits in each game and had two RBI.
Hartford and Binghamton will wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday, April 1 at noon.
