West Hartford, CT - The University of Hartford softball team was blanked by the Boston University Terriers by a 3-0 final in the rubber-match of the three game series on Monday afternoon.
In a pitchers' rematch that featured Hartford ace Brittney Stratton and Boston University hurler Cassidy Hardy in game one, the Terriers managed single runs in the first, fourth and sixth innings to help lead Cassidy to her 15th win and ninth complete game shutout of the season.
The Terriers were quick to get on the board as April Setterlund plated the game's first run in the opening frame. The slugger doubled to left center with one out, and reached home on an RBI single to right field by Melissa Dubay. Stratton fanned back-to-back Terriers to close out the inning with a single run scored.
Cassidy put down the Hartford line-up in order in her first inning of work, forcing sophomore Lauren Kamena into a ground-out to second base, striking out junior Sara Messinger and retiring right fielder Amanda Sais on a foul pop-up.
The Hawks loaded the bases in the bottom of the second, but were unable to put any notches on the scoreboard off of Cassidy. With one out, senior Kristen Cericola drew a walk, and advanced to third on a double to right center by Rachel Clonick. With two runners in scoring position, Cassidy earned the second out of the bottom half of the frame, striking out red-shirt freshman Simpkins. A walk by Lindsey Anrico loaded up the bases for Kayla Demarest, who grounded to second base for the final out of the stanza.
The top of the third was a quick one for Stratton, as she retired the Terriers' line-up, 1-2-3. The hurler forced Setterlund and Dubay into back-to-back groundouts, and a diving catch by shortstop Rachel Clonick on a line drive by rookie Emily Roesch ended the inning.
The Terriers plated another single run in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 2-0 over the Hawks. Christy Leath, who led off the inning with a walk, crossed the plate on a two-out double to left field by first baseman Rachel Hebert to give Boston University the advantage. Boston University's final run was scored in the sixth inning on an RBI double off the bat of Shayne Lotito to drive home Rachel Moeller, who walked to open the frame.
Clonick led the Hawks' offense finishing 2-for-3 at the plate. The junior shortstop recorded a double, Hartford's lone extra-base hit. Stratton (10-6) struck out five batters, and gave up three runs off nine hits in seven innings. For the Terriers, Setterlund finished 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored.
The Hawks will take a break from America East action for two non-conference doubleheaders. Hartford will first travel to the University of Rhode Island to face the Rams on Tuesday, and will return to the UH Softball Field on Thursday to host a pair of games against in-state rival Fairfield.
