WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford softball team continued its 2022 campaign this afternoon with a midweek doubleheader against Holy Cross. The Hawks dropped both games to the Crusaders, losing game one, 6-3, while falling in game two, 7-1. Hartford drops to 11-15 overall on the season, while Holy Cross moves up to 11-20 overall.
HOLY CROSS 6, HARTFORD 3
Holy Cross got off to a quick start in game one, putting two runs up on the board in the first inning. Hartford's starter,
Julianna Kocenski, settled down after the first and was locked in a pitcher's duel up until the fifth inning with Crusader's ace, Kelly Nelson. Holy Cross extended its lead to four runs in the fifth off of a two-run homerun over the left field fence. The Hawks were able to answer back right away with two runs tacked on the board in the bottom half of the frame.
Ally Beck got the scoring started for the Hawks, launching a solo shot out to left field, bringing the score to 4-1.
Chandler Mitchell followed Beck's solo blast by drawing a walk and stealing second to advance into scoring position, as
Haley Cassidy was due up next. Cassidy laced a single in between the shortstop and third baseman to bring home Mitchell and close the gap to 4-2. Hawk's reliever,
Alyssa Viscardo was able to hold the Crusaders bats at bay in the top half of the sixth as Hartford was able to close the gap once again in the bottom half of the inning. After an RBI double was lined off the wall by
Samantha Nagel,
Emma Curry was able to come all the way around from first, as the Hawks closed the gap to 4-3. Despite efforts to mount a comeback after Holy Cross extended its lead in the final frame, Hartford would drop game one, 6-3.
HOLY CROSS 7, HARTFORD 1
After a scoreless first inning of the game, Holy Cross would light the up the board first in the second 1-0. Kocenski and Megan Yurchik for the Crusaders were locked in another pitcher's duel up until the fifth inning once again. Holy Cross extended its lead, bringing six runs across the plate in the fifth. Cassidy would pull one run back for the Hawks in the sixth, after she lined her second double on the day out to center field to bring home Mitchell. However, the deficit grew to be too much for Hartford to overcome, as Holy Cross took game two, 7-1.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Kocenski (6-7) received the start in the circle for both games
- Over the course of the day she allowed eight runs on 13 hits and three walks while tallying seven strikeouts over 9.0 innings of work, taking the loss in both games
- Viscardo made her first appearance of the season in game one
- She allowed two unearned runs on two hits and one walk over 2.0 innings of work
- Beck launched her third homerun on the season, her second in the last three games
- Lauren Card and Caylee English each entered the game in relief in game two
- Cassidy led the Hawks at the dish, going 3-for-6 on the day with two doubles and two RBI
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon for a midweek doubleheader on the road against Dartmouth. First pitch from the Dartmouth Softball Park is set for 3 p.m.
