WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford softball team dropped the rubber match of its three game series to the UMBC Retrievers on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 4-2. Today's game was the final home game for the Hawks this season.

The Retrievers got four quick runs in the top of the first, which proved to be all of the run support needed to take the rubber match of the weekend's three game series. Hartford managed to plate single runs in the second and final frames but was unable to capitalize with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh.

Hartford drops to 16-20 overall with a mark of 3-12 in America East play while UMBC improves to 24-22 overall and 5-10 in the league.

The UMBC pitching staff held the Hawks to just five hits, with seniors Olivia Piacentini and Ann Kyzer connecting for a two apiece. Piacentini scored once while Kyzer drove in one run. Rookie Jessica Oliveira finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. Emily Thompson and Malorie Weller each finished with a pair of hits for the Retrievers.

UMBC jumped out to an early lead and lit up the scoreboard with four runs in the opening frame. With the bases loaded, Lauren Brummell drove in the game's first run with a single up the middle of the infield. Hartford pitcher Siera Sheehan walked in Lauren O'Malley to put the Retrievers ahead at 2-0. Julia Culotta's fielder's choice brought home Lauren Brummell, and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Lynn Pronobis plated UMBC's final run of the frame.

The Hawks got one run back in the bottom of the second frame. After roping what would have been a double down the left field line that was called foul, Kyzer ripped a double to dead center field over the UMBC fielder to drive home Piacentini, who induced a two out walk to get on base.

Hartford used an error and a pair of singles to juice the bases in its final at-bats. Following a UMBC pitching change that saw Stephanie Weigman replace Heather Brown inside the circle, Oliveira launched an RBI single to left center field with two outs in the frame, scoring Rachel Clonick from third and cutting into the Retriever's lead at 4-2. The Hawks were unable to complete the comeback however as Weigman struck out Sara Messinger, stranding three Hartford runners on the basepaths.

Sheehan suffered the loss for the Hawks, dropping to 7-10 on the season. She allowed four runs on eight hits. Brown earned the win and improved to 9-6 overall. The hurler allowed a pair of runs – one earned – on four hits in 6.1 innings. Weigman struck out two of the three batters she faced.

The Hawks wrap up its 2010 non-conference schedule with a trip to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to face the Marist Red Foxes. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.