ALBANY, N.Y. – The University of Hartford softball team dropped its eighth-straight decision when it fell to the University at Albany Great Danes by a 5-3 final at Albany Field on Sunday afternoon. Hartford, 3-17 overall, falls to 0-6 in America East play while Albany improves to 9-16 on the season with a mark of 3-0 in the league.

Hartford took a 1-0 lead in its first round at the plate as Lauren Kamena pulled a pitch, with two outs, over the head of right fielder Bill and stretched the hit for three bases. The senior crossed home plate on third baseman Nicole Springer's base hit down the same line to give the Hawks the early 1-0 advantage.

Junior hurler Siera Sheehan and the Hawks' defense kept the Great Danes off of the scoreboard until the third frame when the home team answered with two runs of its own. With one down, Andrianna Walraven and Katie Wambold connected for back-to-back singles to opposite sides of the outfield before Gina Mason fired a screamer to centerfield to plate both base runners. Sheehan struck out Kylie Apostolina for out number two and with runners on the corners following a passed ball and a walk, the junior fanned Jessica Bergin for the final out of the inning.

Albany's lead was short-lived asChelsey Mooney's RBI single up the middle of the infield knotted the game at two runs apiece. Kamena connected for her second hit of the outing – a base hit to left field – and advanced 60 feet on an infield groundout by Springer. Mooney's base hit was deep enough for the Hawks' left fielder to again score for the Hawks.

The Great Danes broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth as they used three singles to add a pair of tallies to the scoreboard and take a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, the home team pushed one more run across home plate to extend its lead to 5-2.

Hartford battled in the bottom of the seventh to send the contest into extra innings but fell short of the comeback. After leading off the frame with a single down the right field line, Mooney stole second and scored on Melani Maxwell's double to right field to bring the Hawks within two runs at 5-3. Maxwell then reached the hot corner on an infield ground out however MacFawn retired Hartford's final batter without allowing any more dents to be made in the scoreboard.

Kamena and Mooney each finished 2-for-3. Kamena crossed the plate twice while Mooney drove in one and scored once. In six innings, Sheehan allowed five earned runs on seven hits while recording five strike outs. Allie Weiser earned the start for the Great Danes inside of the circle and allowed two earned runs on four hits while fanning four opponents. In relief, Brittany MacFawn allowed one and struck out a pair of batters.

The Hawks return home for a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 5 when they welcome the Siena Saints to the University of Hartford Softball Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.