WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford softball team split a doubleheader against the University at Albany on Saturday afternoon at the UH Softball Field, falling 6-2 in the first game before pulling out a 1-0 victory in extra innings in the nightcap.
Sophomore pitcher Brittney Stratton tossed her first career no-hitter to lead the Hawks (16-15 overall, 5-8 America East) to the win. The second game was a pitcher's duel between Stratton and Albany starter Leah McIntosh, as neither allowed a hit through seven innings. Sophomore Sara Messinger broke up McIntosh's no-hit bid with a one-out single to left in the eighth.
After sophomore Olivia Piacentini struck out for the second out of the inning, classmate Amanda Dilworth singled to left-center to move Messinger into scoring position. The Hawks pinch ran for Messinger with junior Kayla Demarest, who then scored on a bloop single to shallow left by junior Amanda Dilworth. Demarest made contact with the shortstop while digging for third, but the umpire declared no interference was made on the play.
The run gave Stratton her 12th win of the season and Hartford's second no-hitter of the year. Freshman Amanda Singer tossed a five-inning no-hitter earlier in the season against Coppin State. Stratton finished the game with four strikeouts and four walks and never let an Albany runner get past second base.
The Hawks played stellar defense around Stratton all game to ensure the no-hitter. Sophomore Rachel Clonick made a diving catch in the fourth, and Dilworth made a back-handed stab in the hole in the fifth to keep Albany out of the hit column. Junior Jackie Simonetty also made a huge play in the eighth, fielding a ball that deflected off Stratton back up the middle and gunning down the speedy Amber Maisonet at first base.
McIntosh took the hard loss, dropping to 10-4 on the season. She allowed one run on three hits and struck out 13 while walking three. She didn't allow a runner past first base until the eighth inning.
The Great Danes (23-12 overall, 12-2 America East) took the first game behind a solid pitching performance by Marissa Powell, who also flirted with a no-hitter. She gave up two runs on two hits while striking out seven and walking one, taking a no-hit bid into the bottom of the seventh inning before issuing solo home runs to Simonetty and junior Kristen Cericola.
Albany broke the game open with a three-run fourth inning. The first run came home via a Hartford throwing error, and Andrianna Walraven followed with an RBI single. The Great Danes scored the final run of the frame on a wild pitch.
Albany added a run in the fifth on a leadoff homer by Meagan Butsch, her fifth of the season. The Great Danes plated two more runs in the sixth on a bases-loaded single by Michelle Connors.
Stratton, who also started the first game, threw six innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits. She struck out four but gave up nine walks. Freshman Amanda Farnan pitched one inning of relief and gave up one hit.
Hartford and Albany will wrap up the weekend series with a single game on Sunday, April 20 at 12 p.m.
