Kylie Dazalla reached base twice in her first game in a Hawks uniform, but Gardner-Webb used a three-run second to propel itself to a 7-0 win over the Hartford softball team on Friday. The contest marked the season opener for the Hawks, while GWU is now 4-3 on the season.
 
Jenice Aloyo, Sawyer Fried and Alex Saharek each delivered singles in a losing effort for Hartford. Callie Thornton and Kaylee Wacaster each had two hits and drove in a pair of runs for GWU, while Mackenzie Thompson delivered a complete-game shutout in the circle. Bianca Ross went the full six innings in a losing effort for the Hawks.
 
"It was great to be outside and get things rolling," Head Coach Sarah Kalka said. "We're excited to work through some of the kinks of opening weekend. Newkirk played great defense in left and, despite the score, Ross did well in the circle getting the defense playable balls.
 
"We have some things to clean up and have to get the offense to string things together," she added. "We're confident that we will hit our stride soon, and continue to improve as we progress in the season."
 
Aloyo started the game with a single to left in the top of the first, but the Hawks were unable to plate a run in the frame. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the second when Megan Gibbons started the scoring with a sac fly and Thornton followed by hitting a two-run homer to left center for a 3-0 lead.
 
The Bulldogs added single runs in the fourth and fifth, then tacked on a pair more runs in the sixth. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases, and two batters later, Wacaster delivered a two-run double down the left field line to make it 7-0.
 
Hartford will be back in action on Saturday, as the Hawks take on Hampton at 10 a.m. and Gardner-Webb at 3 p.m. Live stats are available through HartfordHawks.com.