THE BASICS:
RESULT: Iona 8, Hartford 5
RECORDS: Hartford (7-9); Iona (5-7)
LOCATION: University of Hartford Softball Stadium (West Hartford, Conn.)
THE LEAD:

The University of Hartford softball team was unable to complete the comeback against Iona on Saturday afternoon, as the Hawks dropped an 8-5 decision to the Gaels. Elizabeth Newkirk went 3-of-4 at the plate while Kylie Dazalla drove in a pair of runs on a 2-of-3 effort to pace the Hawks.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Hartford opened up the game on a roll. Putting down the Gaels in order, the Hawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead after a one-out sacrifice fly off the bat of Dazalla with the bases juiced plated Lily Sencer.
• With senior Bianca Ross in the circle, the Hawks continued to roll. She limited Iona to just three hits through the first three innings, but was forced to leave the game after getting struck by a line drive in first at-bat of the fourth.
• The Gaels capitalized on Hartford's pitching change, as they scored seven runs on five hits. Kimmie Ciapparelli sparked the offense and put Iona on the board with an RBI double before Natalia Meray capped the run with a two-run single.
• The two sides traded runs to the tune of an 8-2 Iona lead in the top of the sixth before the Hawks rallied in the bottom half of the frame.
• Amber Mianti, who reached base on a one-out infield single, came home a dropped fly ball in right field two batters later to cut the deficit to five runs at 8-3. In the ensuing at-bat, Danielle Rocheleau cleared the bases with a two-run blast over the wall in right center field with her third home run of the season.
• Despite getting runners on first and second before the end of the inning, the Hawks were unable to cut into their deficit any more as Iona's Samantha Bender retired three of the final four Hartford batters she faced to end the game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE & NOTES:

• The Hawks outhit the Gaels, 12-10, but left 12 runners on the base paths.
• Ross had a great outing going before the injury. She struck out four of the 12 batters she faced and gave up one earned run on three hits.
• Freshman pitcher Melissa Pereira dipped to 0-3, while Jessica Harkness, who started the game for Iona, was credited with the win after allowing five runs – two earned – on 11 hits in 5.2 innings.

UP NEXT:
Hartford concludes its busy weekend on Sunday with a home doubleheader against Bryant. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. from Hartford Softball Stadium.