NORFOLK, Va. – The Hartford softball team split its doubleheader with Hampton and Norfolk State in day two of the NSU-Hampton Classic. The Hawks took game one against Hampton, 6-1, before dropping game two, 6-4, against Norfolk State. Senior Haley Cassidy had a monstrous day at the plate, going three for five and launching a two-run homerun in game one. 
 
HARTFORD 6, HAMPTON 1
In game one, both teams were entrenched in a pitching duel between Hawks' junior Caylee English and Pirates' Jada Evans. Hampton would light up the scoreboard first, plating their one and only run on the day with an RBI double in the top half of the third. The Hawks would answer by storm, plating six unanswered runs on the board. Blasting three total homeruns over the course of the next two innings, senior Kelsey Galevich hit a three-run shot before, a solo blast from senior Ally Beck, and a two-run jack from Haley Cassidy. After the homerun barrage, the Hawks in the lead 6-1 at the end of four full. The Hawks pitching staff would shut down the Pirates offense, only allowing them to reach base five times throughout the course of the game. Hartford would earn its first win on the season, taking game one of the doubleheader in an impressive fashion, 6-1.
 
NORFOLK STATE 6, HARTFORD 4
Norfolk State started off quick in game two, putting a four spot on the board against Hartford in the bottom half of the first inning. The Spartans extended their lead in the second and third, bringing the score to 6-0 after three. The Hawks' offense was held scoreless until the fifth inning where Cassidy drove home sophomore Jordan Nastos with a single up the middle, before walking home another run. Junior Samantha Nagel kept the run parade going launching a two-run single down the right field line. Senior Julianna Kocenski was able to hold the Spartans off the board for their final two at bats. However, the Spartans lead just was too much for the Hawks to overcome, as the comeback effort fell short, dropping game two, 6-4.
 
NEWS AND NOTES

• Freshman Isabella Therrien recorded her first collegiate hit in game one against Hampton
• English (0-0), got the start in game one, allowing two hits and one run
• Kocenski (1-1), pitching four innings in relief, recording two strikeouts and not allowing a run
• Junior Lauren Card (0-2), got the start in game two, pitching three full innings, striking out two and allowing three earned runs on eight hits
• Kocenski would take to the circle again in game two, pitching three innings, while not allowing a run and recording three total strikeouts

 
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks end the NSU-HU Classic tomorrow in a single game against the Pirates of Hampton. First pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the NSU Softball Field.