Kissimmee, FL - The University of Hartford softball team collected a pair of victories ? the first of the 2009 campaign ? on Monday morning as it defeated Rhode Island (5-8) and Akron (15-10) in the second day of the Rebel Spring Games held in Kissimmee, FL.
The University of Hartford softball team scored its first victory of the season with a 14-0 win against the University of Rhode Island behind a five inning shutout by rookie Siera Sheehan. The Hawks' bats caught fire in the early morning matchup as each batter on the starting line-up card earned at least one hit, with six players recording multiple-hit games.
After two scoreless innings, the Hawks rallied for a six-run frame, surpassing their season total of runs (five in seven games) in just half an inning of action. The offense began with a single from redshirt freshman Shannon Simpkins, the first hit of her collegiate career. Simpkins stole second, and scored on the next at-bat, a double from second-baseman Amanda Dilworth. An RBI single by Rachel Clonick plated Dilworth, while Ann Kyzer followed with a single to drive in two runners to give Hartford the 4-0 advantage. The Hawks added two more runs to the scoreboard on a single by senior Jackie Simonetty that brought home teammates Lauren Kamena and Sara Messinger. Rhode Island pitcher Odalys Torres allowed seven hits and six runs ? all earned ? in the top of the third.
The fourth inning proved to be a scoring surge for the Hawks as they once again rallied for six runs off of five hits against Rams' pitcher Jayshree Narendran. Simpkins opened the frame with a solo shot for the first homerun of her young career. Kyzer singled to bring home Amanda Sais, and Kamena drove in two runs off a single. With Kamena on first, Kristen Cericola tallied her third homer of the season to push the Hartford lead to 12-0.
Hartford added two more notches to the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman Brittany Walter, who pinch hit for Dilworth, singled to open the inning. Narendran walked Kyzer, and Walter eventually scored after classmate Erica Phelps reached base on an error by the Rams' right fielder. The final run of the game came when Demarest entered the game as a pinch hitter and doubled to plate Kyzer.
Sheehan threw five complete innings to earn her first career shutout and win, improving her overall record to 1-3. She allowed six hits while recording two strikeouts and issuing one walk. Additionally, the rookie did not allow a single Ram advance past second base.
In the final game of the morning, Hartford squeaked by Akron by a 2-1 final. The Hawks got on the scoreboard first after a bases-loaded blooper by Sais got just past the infield to score pinch-runner Phelps in the third inning. Hartford was unable to fully capitalize on the situation however as a strikeout and fly out to center bailed the Zips out of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Hawks had second and third occupied with one out after Cericola singled and Simonetty doubled. With Anrico at the plate, Hartford attempted a squeeze-play, which led into a double play from Akron to close the frame, holding the Hawks to a 1-0 lead.
Akron tied the contest in the fifth after outfielder Lisa McLean tripled, and was driven home after Amber Lowe laid down her 13th RBI of the year. Hartford quickly took the 2-1 advantage in the sixth after Kyzer doubled to open the inning, and Simonetty earned her second double of the game with two out to plate Kyzer, scoring the final run of the game.
Hartford (2-7 overall) got a strong outing from junior Brittney Stratton to earn her first win of the season, who pitched seven full innings while striking out a season-high seven batters to improve her overall record to 1-4.
The Hawks will continue action in the Sunshine State on Friday, March 20 with a doubleheader at the Rebel Spring Games. Hartford will face Manhattan at 3:00 p.m. followed by a 5:00 p.m. matchup versus Cornell.
