THE BASICS:

SERIES INFORMATION: Hartford Hawks (9-25, 0-12 AE) vs. UMBC (9-28, 4-9 AE)
TIME: Saturday, April 28 at 12 p.m. (Doubleheader) and Sunday, April 29 at 11 a.m.
LOCATION: Hartford Softball Field (West Hartford, Conn.)
COVERAGE: Live Stats | Live Stream | Twitter: @HartfordSB
 
FIRST PITCH
The University of Hartford returns home this weekend for a #AESB series with the UMBC Retrievers.
 
SCOUTING UMBC
UMBC has opened their 2018 season, 9-28 overall and 4-9 in conference. Last time out, the Retrievers dropped two of three to UAlbany.  
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Retrievers own a 27-16 advantage in the all-time series, taking the last four matchups.    
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Hawks fell to Stony Brook in all three games during their #AESB series this past weekend.  Hartford's scheduled doubleheader with Army West Point for this Wednesday was postponed to next Wednesday, May 2 at 2:30 p.m. due to weather concerns.
 
SENIOR DAY
The Hartford Softball team will honor their four-member senior class – Brittany Wallace, Elizabeth Newkirk, Bianca Ross and Alex Saharek – prior to Sunday's matchup.  
 
SAVING THE DAY
Senior Bianca Ross recorded her fourth save of the season on Wednesday, April, 18, which not only gives her the program single-season save record, but also makes her the Hartford career saves leader, surpassing Nicole McMillon ('07).  
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore Eliza Bomhardt earned America East Player of the Week on March 6, for her performance at the Coppin State Eagle Classic. Bomhardt hit an impressive .500 (4-for-8) in the Hawks' 3-0 performance in the Coppin State Eagle Classic this weekend, knocking three extra-base hits while scoring four runs and adding a pair of RBI. Her go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning against Saint Peters on Saturday sealed the 8-5 win for Hartford.
 
LAST SEASON
The Hawks finished their 2017 season 4-45 overall and fell 0-16 in the America East. The Hawks finished strong, though, knocking off #3 seed Stony Brook, 2-1, in the first round of the America East Tournament. Sophomore Isabella Gerone gave a stellar performance in the circle, giving up just seven hits and two walks while not surrendering an earned run in the complete game.  
 
STAFF STRUCTURE
Head coach Angie Churchill joined the Hawks back in August 2018. She came to Hartford from Wagner, where she has led the Seahawks to back-to-back 20-win seasons. In addition to two years at Wagner, Churchill served as head coach at Division II Georgian Court University and Division III D'Youville College. A former captain for the University of Michigan as a player, Churchill also served as an assistant at the Division I level for the University at Buffalo and Ohio University.
 
Joining Churchill on the Hawks new-look staff is assistant coach Samantha Esque. Esque, also coming from Wagner, will serve as the Hawks pitching coach.
 
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks will remain home next week for a doubleheader with Army West Point on Wednesday afternoon. The twinbill, originally scheduled for this past Wednesday, will start at 2:30 p.m.