Orono, ME - The University of Hartford softball team dropped the rubber match against the University of Maine on Sunday by a 4-1 final at Kessock Field. The Black Bears, who took two games of the three-game series, improve their record to 28-19 overall (8-6 AE), while the Hawks dipped to 16-18 with a mark of 7-6 in the conference.
The Hawks threatened to score in the top half of the fourth inning, as they juiced up the bases. Junior Sara Messinger worked a walk off of Maine starter Jenna Balent to open the frame, and right fielder Amanda Sais reached the bag on an error by Balent. Following back-to-back strikeouts by Ann Kyzer and Kristen Cericola, Balent walked Rachel Clonick to load up the bases. The Hawks could not plate any runs however as Balent struck out Olivia Piacentini to get out of the jam.
After three and a half scoreless innings, Maine's offense came alive, plating three runs off Hartford ace Brittney Stratton. Ashley Waters singled to open the frame, and advanced to second on a bunt single by Terren Hall. A three-run homer off the bat of Kristen Calvetti opened the game for the Black Bears with a three-run advantage over the Hawks.
After holding Hartford scoreless for five innings, the Hawks scratched its lone run of the game in the top of the sixth inning. Messinger reached base for the second time in the lead off spot on a single up the middle of the infield. A ground out by Sais advanced Messinger to second, allowing her to cross the plate on an RBI double by Kyzer.
Maine plated one more insurance run in the bottom of the frame on back-to-back hits to push its lead to three runs at 4-1. Hall doubled to centerfield with one out, and advanced home on a base hit by Calvetti. Balent retired the Hartford line-up in order in the top of the seventh inning to close out the game.
For the Hawks, Stratton gave up four runs on six hits in six innings of action, dropping her overall record to 12-8. She fanned a total of six batters in the contest. The junior hurler threw every pitch of the series for the Hawks.
Balent earned the win for the Black Bears. She pitched seven innings, and gave up just one run off two hits, while striking out 12 batters.
The Hawks return to action on Wednesday, April 22 when they host the Stony Brook Seawolves for a single game ? the rubber match of their three game series ? starting at 2:00 p.m. Hartford and Stony Brook split a doubleheader back on April 8 in Stony Brook.
