WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford softball team rallied back from a four-run deficit but couldn't overtake Fairfield University on Thursday afternoon in a 6-5 loss in eight innings at UH Softball Field.
The Hawks (11-13 overall) trailed 5-1 after four and a half innings but scored three runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the game at 5-5. Hartford then had the game-winning run at second base with no outs in the seventh, though Cagney Ringnalda pitched Fairfield (9-14 overall) out of the jam with two strikeouts and a pickoff.
The Stags took a 6-5 led in the top of the eighth on a one-out homer by Meghan Borst to dead center field. Ringnalda then made the margin stand in the bottom of the frame. Senior Kristie Rochette came up with two outs and a runner on first base and promptly lined a rocket back to the circle that Ringnalda picked out of the air to end the game.
The Stags jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Kristie Trifilios homered to left field, the first of three hits on the day for the shortstop. She then drove in two more runs in the third inning with a double to the left field warning track as Fairfield extended its lead to 3-0.
Hartford got a run back in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Amanda Sais, one of five Hawks who finished with multiple hits in the game. The Stags answered with two more runs in the fourth to take a 5-1 lead. The rally started with two outs when Riannon Thomas and Borst put together back-to-back singles and then scored on a double to center by Kristen D'Alessandro.
Hartford's three runs in the fifth came on four hits. Senior Nikki Thompson drove in a run with a single to left, and a double by freshman Ann Kyzer drove in the second run. The Hawks' final run of the frame came courtesy of a sacrifice fly by freshman Sara Messinger.
The Hawks tied the game in the sixth inning when freshman Amanda Dilworth reached base on her third single of the game. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt, Dilworth advanced to third on an infield single by Rochette and then scored on a single through the left side by Thompson.
Hartford, which pounded out a season-high 16 hits, stranded 10 runners and committed two errors in the field. Fairfield finished with 10 hits and did not commit an error.
Jen Gilbert got the start in the circle for the Stags and gave up four runs on 10 hits in four innings. Borst pitched 1.2 innings of relief before coming out in favor of Ringnalda, who threw the final 2.1 innings and picked up the victory. She allowed four hits and struck out three without giving up a run.
Freshmen Brittney Stratton made the start for the Hawks but lasted only 3.2 innings, yielding five runs (four earned) on six hits while striking out four. Classmate Gina Massaro pitched 4.1 innings of relief and took the loss, giving up one run on four hits while striking out one.
Rochette went 4-for-5 in the game with four singles while Thompson and Dilworth each had three hits. Thompson also finished with a pair of RBI.
Hartford will next host the University of Vermont for a three-game series over the weekend. The Hawks and Catamounts are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 7 at noon.
