WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford softball team extended its winning streak to six games on Wednesday, as the Hawks swept a doubleheader from visiting Fairleigh Dickinson at the Hartford Softball Field. Hartford took the opening game by a 4-2 final before cruising to a 7-1 victory in the nightcap.
Riding its longest win streak since 2009 — when the Hawks won six straight from March 25 – April 2 — Hartford (10-10) has matched its win total from last season. The Knights fall to 7-20 with the pair of defeats.
GAME ONE: HARTFORD 4, FDU 2
Sophomore
Danielle Rocheleau blasted a two-run home run down the right field line to break open a stalemate and put the Hawks up, 1-0, in the bottom of the third. A one-out triple by FDU's leadoff hitter Rylie Schmeh resulted in the Knights tying up the game on an RBI single by Jillian Ward in the top of the fifth, but the Hawks quickly responded, as freshman
Paige Fedak's first career homer — a three-run shot over the left field wall —in the home half of the frame gave Hartford the lead for good.
FDU managed to cut into the lead in its final at-bats on an infield error, but with runners on second and third, Hartford starting pitcher
Julianna Kocenski induced an infield ground out to close the door on the Knights.
GAME TWO: HARTFORD 7, FDU 1
The Knights were first to strike in the nightcap, as Schmeh, who led off the game with a triple, scored on a two-out double by Reanna Cervantes. FDU held on to its lead, until
Amber Mianti tied the game on an RBI groundout that plated senior
Kylie Dazalla, who led off the bottom of the second inning with a single.
The Hawks went on to take a 3-1 advantage in their next at-bats. Sophomore
Nicolette Barranger sparked the rally, blasting a one-out triple down the right field line before scoring the go-ahead run on a base hit by Fedak. Hartford continued to build on its lead, adding on three more runs in the fourth inning and one more in the sixth to take a comfortable 7-1 cushion into the final frame.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Kocenski (6-5), a rookie who tossed her fourth complete game of the season, struck out three batters while allowing one earned run on 10 hits in game one
- Going 3-for-3 with three RBI in the opening game, Fedak combined for four RBI on the afternoon
- Barranger also had a solid day at the plate, combining to go 5-for-7 with three runs and a pair of RBI
- Senior pitcher Melissa Pereira (2-3) was in a groove in game two, striking out three while allowing just one earned run in her third complete game of the season
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks continue their homestand this weekend, when they welcome Stony Brook to the Hartford Softball Field for their America East opener. The three-game set begins with a doubleheader on Saturday (1 p.m.).
