It was some more late inning magic for the University of Hartford softball team as the Hawks scored three runs in their last foray to the plate to prevent a sweep at the hands of #21 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Friday at the Hartford Softball Field.

GAME ONE: RPI 7, HARTFORD 3
Five different Hartford hitters recorded hits as the Hawks fell in the opener, 7-3.

Three batters into the game, RPI took the lead and never surrendered the advantage. The Engineers scored three runs in the third inning and three more in the sixth to race out to a 7-0 lead.

Freshman Alexis Sealey opened the sixth with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scampered home with Hartford's first run on a sacrifice fly.

The first three batters – freshman Adelie Beebe, sophomore Shailynn Williams, and freshman Sydney Matz – reached to begin the seventh – the latter an RBI single to score Beebe. Williams scored on a double steal attempt to cap the scoring.

Sealey (3-2) allowed four earned runs on five hits in just two innings of work with one strikeout.

GAME TWO: HARTFORD 5, RPI 5 (6 inn. – Darkness)
Graduate Mara Sczecienski smacked a first-pitch, two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull Hartford even. The game was halted following six innings due to darkness.
The longball capped a two-inning scoring barrage as Hartford went from a 5-0 deficit to a 5-5 tie.

Junior Azya Walker opened the sixth with a double and moved to third on an error. She came around to score as junior Olivia Wolk reached on an error, and then scored ahead of Sczecienski's laser shot to left center.

For the second straight game, RPI took the lead with a run in the top of the first inning. The Engineers added a pair of runs in the third inning, and single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Hartford started its trek back with a pair of two-out runs in the fifth. Sophomore Anita Farkash drew the walk, and Williams – who pinch ran for Farkash – stole second and moved to third on a throwing error. Sophomore Taylor Fitch reached on a walk, then along with Williams scored on a double by junior Sarah Serrano.

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Williams scored a run in each game for the Hawks.
• Eight different Hartford hitters scored hits with Sealey the only player with a hit in each game.
• Freshman Alex Hassett finished with a career-high four strikeouts in five innings of relief in the opener.

WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (7-5-1) has more than a week off before returning to the diamond, hosting Commonwealth Coast Conference foe Wentworth Institute of Technology noon Saturday, March 30.