VESTAL, N.Y. -- The University of Hartford softball team split a doubleheader against Bighamton University on Saturday afternoon at East Gym Field, taking the first game 9-1 in five innings but dropping the nightcap 2-1.

Hartford (20-20 overall, 8-12 America East) got a strong performance in the circle from sophomore Brittney Stratton in the first game. She held the Bearcats to one run on two hits and also struck out five batters. She got early run support from her teammates and had a 6-0 lead after two innings. Sophomores Rachel Clonick and Amanda Dilworth both had an RBI in each of the first two frames while senior Alex Morley belted a solo home run to lead off the second inning, her second in as many games.

Binghamton's Sandy Meadows broke the shutout with a RBI single in the bottom of the third inning, but sophomore Ann Kyzer had a two-run single in the top of the fourth and junior Amanda Sais scored on a throwing error in the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Stratton retired eight of the nine batters she faced after giving up the run.

Meadows propeled Binghamton (7-36, 2-18 AE) to the win in the second game. The Bearcats trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning she belted a two-out, two run home run over the left-center field fence. It was her first homer of the season. Patty Egan held the Hawks to one run on four hits and struck out five batters. 

Hartford and Binghamton will conclude their weekend series with a single game on Sunday at 11 a.m.