FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -  Hartford Hawks Softball split a doubleheader Tuesday against Framingham State University, losing game one 7-2 before rebounding to win game two 8-5 in five innings.

Rapid Recap Game 1 (L 7-2):

• Framingham State got off to a hot start in the first two innings, scoring five runs to earn an early lead.
• The Hawks mounted their first major offensive push of the game in the 4^th inning, as sophomore Sydney Matz (Ellington, Conn) tripled to score the Hawks' first run of the game, before stealing home on a wild pitch to cut the Framingham lead to 5-2.
• Framingham State silenced the Hawks in the 5^th inning, adding  to their lead with a two-run double, their only hit of the inning.
• The Hawks ran out of chances, recording just two hits over the final three innings as Framingham State secured a 7-2 victory.

On the Mound:

• Sophomore Alexis Sealey (Pleasant Hill, Calif) allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits over three innings of work.  Sophomore Gracie Hopkins (El Dorado Hills, Calif) would enter the game in relief, pitching three innings, striking out four and allowing just two runs on two hits.

At The Plate:

• Matz provided the offense for the Hawks in game one, going 1-2 with an RBI triple and two stolen bases, including her steal of home plate as the Hawks second run of the game.

Rapid Recap (W 8-5):

• After a scoreless first inning, the Hawks opened the scoring in the second, with junior Taylor Fitch (Andover, Conn) driving home the first run of game two for the Hawks. A single from Sealey would double  the Hawks lead, before a passed ball brought Hartford's lead to 3-0.
• The Rams responded in the bottom of the second, with two quick runs to cut the Hawks lead to 3-2.
• A wild pitch during junior Anita Farkash's (Seaford, N.Y.) at bat in the third inning scored a run, and a second passed ball would score  Matz as the Hawks took a 5-2 lead.
• Framingham responded accordingly in the bottom half of the third, scoring three runs on 4 hits in the inning, tying the game at 5-5.
• Hawks captain senior Olivia Wolk (Sugarloaf, PA) drove in two runs on an RBI triple to give the Hawks an 8-5 lead in the top of the fifth inning, as the Hawks would hold on to secure their first win of the season.

On the Mound

• Freshman Ella Zobel (Clarence, N.Y.) got the start for the Hawks, pitching three innings and allowing five runs on five hits while striking out three batters. Junior Carly Mayhood (Newton, N.J.) entered the game in relief, pitching two scoreless innings, allowing no hits while striking out two batters.

In the Batter's Box:

• Wolk's 2-for-4 performance led the Hawks to victory, as she finished the day with a triple and two runs batted in, including the game-winning runs in the fifth inning.
• The Hawks drew nine walks in game two, with senior  Ayza Walker (Oak Forest, Ill), freshman Lucy Lembo (Albany, N.Y),  Farkash, and senior Sarah Serrano (Windsor, Conn) each having two walks.

Post Game Press:
"We really just came together and were able to play for one another", said senior Olivia Wolk (Sugarloaf, Pa.). "We trusted in each other to get the job done and acted as one cohesive unit. It felt great to get the first win under our belt before Florida."

Up Next:
The Hawks return to action on Friday, March 14^th, when they take on Fitchburg State University in Melbourne, Florida, as a part of the Space Coast Spring Games.

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics, follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.