WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –Hartford softball fell to UMass Lowell twice in America East action, dropping game one, 10-6, and game two, 6-5, Wednesday afternoon  
 
Freshman Haley Cassidy combined for two home runs, including a grand slam in game two, as the Hawks fall to 12-20 overall and 1-7 in the America East. Casey Harding hit her third home run of the season, as the River Hawks improve to 17-12 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
 
GAME ONE: UMASS LOWELL 10 HARTFORD 6 
After UMass Lowell took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, Hartford answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame. With junior Amber Mianti on second, sophomore Kiana Harris stepped in and hit a double to left center field, bringing Mianti around to score and tying the game at one.
 
The River Hawks, however, took control of the game in the next inning, scoring six runs on five hits for the 7-1 lead. 
 
Hartford continued to chip away at the six run deficit, starting in the fifth inning as senior Kylie Dazalla hit a single to right field with bases loaded, scoring sophomores Danielle Rocheleau and Lily Sencer to cut the lead to four.
 
Freshman Paige Fedak continued the scoring in the inning, taking advantage of a wild pitch, making the score 7-4.
 
After UMass Lowell pushed its lead back to four, the Hawks would once again rally. Cassidy started things off with a solo blast to center field, followed by a RBI single by Fedak, bringing the score to 8-6.
 
That is as close as Hartford would get, as the River Hawks tacked on two more runs in the seventh to take game one, 10-6.
 
GAME TWO: UMASS LOWELL 6 HARTFORD 5
The River Hawks looked to have game two well in hand in the bottom of the sixth inning leading 5-0. The Hartford bats, however, came alive in the inning, loading the bases on in three straight at bats to start the inning. Cassidy then stepped in and snuck her second home run of the day over the left field wall, making the score 5-4.
 
The Hawks were not done, as Dazalla singled in the next at bat and made her way to second shortly after. Harris then hit a single to center field to tie the game at five heading into the final inning.
 
After UMass Lowell took the lead again in the top of the seventh, Rocheleau singled in the bottom of the inning bringing the winning run to the plate. Hartford, however, could not capitalize, coming up just short in game two, 6-5.

NEXT ON TAP
Hartford hits the road to take on in-state foe, Quinnipiac, in non-conference action on Thursday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.