WEST HARTFORD, CT ? Binghamton University salvaged the final game of the weekend series, handing the University of Hartford softball team a 6-2 loss on Sunday afternoon at the UH Softball Field.
The Bearcats improved to 4-12 overall and picked up their first conference win of the season (1-2). The Hawks dropped to 11-12 overall and 2-1 in the America East.
Binghamton's Cyrilla Suker pitched six scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory, improving to 3-2 on the season. She allowed just two hits while striking out eight and walking two. Freshman Gina Massaro (4-6) took the loss for the Hawks, allowing four runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings.
The Bearcats put two runs on the board in the first inning thanks to RBI single from Michelle Robb and Mia Bieman. The Hawks, however, answered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game. Hartford didn't manage a hit in the inning but used three walks, three wild pitches and an error to plate the runs.
Massaro, who got the starting nod, ran into trouble again in the third. She yielded back-to-back singles and then walked the next batter to load the bases. The Hawks got the first out on a ground ball to shortstop Jackie Simonetty, who fired to the plate for the force. Suker then helped her own cause by sending a deep fly ball to right, allowing Sara Eppolito to tag and score from third. Binghamton then picked up another run when Nicole Constantatos singled up the middle to score Bieman.
Hartford's best chance to tie the game came in the fifth inning when sophomores Kristen Cericola and Amanda Sais led off with singles. A sacrifice bunt by senior Kristie Rochette moved both runners into scoring position, but the Bearcats escaped the threat by getting senior Nikki Thompson to fly out to shallow left field. Cericola attempted to score on the play when Stephanie Woodcock's throw to the plate was wild, but she turned back half way and got tagged out in a run down.
Binghamton added two more runs in the sixth on a two-run single by Eppolito. The Bearcats finished with eight hits for the game, all of which were singles.
Hartford will be back in action on Wednesday, April 4 in a doubleheader against Sacred Heart. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at UH Softball Field.
