ALBANY, NY ? The University of Hartford softball team took the final game of the weekend series at the University at Albany on Sunday, grinding out a 2-1 victory to take two of three games of the series.

Hartford evened its overall record at 8-8 and improved to 8-5 in the America East. Albany dropped to 21-13 overall and 6-7 in the conference.

Freshman Brittney Stratton picked up her second victory of the weekend and her 11th of the season. The win pushed her into second place all-time at the school for single season wins and the most ever by a freshman. She gave up one run on six hits over seven innings while walking one and striking out three.

Hartford got out to a 1-0 lead on a solo homer by sophomore Kristen Cericola in the second inning. The Hawks tacked on another run in the fifth on an RBI single by freshman Amanda Dilworth.

Albany threatened in the bottom of the fifth by putting runners on second and third with no outs. Stratton got out of the jam thanks to a stellar defensive play by sophomore shortstop Jackie Simonetty, who dove to her right to snag a line drive before doubling the runner off third. Stratton then got the next batter to foul out to end the inning.

Stratton's only mistake came in the sixth inning when she allowed a one-out solo homer. Albany's final chance to tie the game came in the seventh with runners on second and third with one out, though Stratton got the final out on a fly ball to left field.

Albany starter Casey Halloran was equally as stingy, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits over seven innings. She struck out eight while walking three.

Hartford will next host Stony Brook for a single game on Wednesday, April 25 at 3 p.m. at the UH Softball Field. Earlier this season the two teams split a doubleheader at Stony Brook.