WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford softball team bounced back from a 2-1 loss to the University of Maine in Saturday's first game to earn a 5-4 victory in the second game at the UH Softball Field.
Hartford (15-16 overall, 6-4 America East) scored the game-winning run in the second game on an RBI double by senior Kristie Rochette in the top of the seventh (Maine batted as the home team). Freshman pitcher Brittney Stratton then retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame to pick up the win.
Stratton (9-7 overall) threw 3.1 innings of relief and yielded only one hit while striking out seven of the 11 batters she faced. She entered the game in the fourth after starter Gina Massaro gave up a game-tying three-run homer to Erin Iandoli to make it 4-4. Massaro allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and struck out two.
The Hawks got out to an early 1-0 lead behind an RBI double by senior Nikki Thompson in the first inning. Hartford opened up a 4-0 with a pair of runs in the third and another in the fourth, all with the aid of three Maine errors. The Black Bears scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Maine's Christine McGivney pitched a complete game and gave up five runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out nine. The Black Bears (18-21 overall, 3-6 America East) committed four errors in the game.
In the first game, both of Maine's runs came on solo homers off Stratton, who got the starting nod for the Hawks in the circle. Kristie Hawkins led off the second inning with a solo shot to center for a 1-0 Black Bears lead.
The Hawks had chances to tie the game in both the third and fourth innings but left runners in scoring position. Hartford had runners at second and third with one out in the third and a runner at second with one out in the fourth but couldn't plate a run.
Hartford finally tied the game at 1-1 in the sixth. Freshman Amanda Dilworth and sophomore Amanda Sais started the frame with back-to-back singles and then moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Rochette. Thompson followed with a single to center field. Dilworth scored from third on the play but Sais was thrown out at the plate on a perfect throw from Alexis Souhlaris.
The Black Bears took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out homer to left by Kristen Calvetti. Pitcher Jenna Balent made the margin stand in the seventh to earn the victory. She pitched seven innings and gave up one run on six hits while striking out six. Stratton took the loss, giving up two runs on five hits through six innings.
Hartford and Maine will play the third and final game of the weekend series on Sunday, April 15 at 10 a.m. at the UH Softball Field. The series was originally scheduled to be played in Maine but was moved to Connecticut due to inclement weather.
