Fitch
Steve McLaughlin
4
Saint Joseph (Conn.) SAINT JO 5-8
12
Winner Hartford HARTFORD 8-7
Saint Joseph (Conn.) SAINT JO
5-8
4
Final
12
Hartford HARTFORD
8-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Saint Joseph (Conn.) SAINT JO 3 0 1 0 0 4 7 0
Hartford HARTFORD 6 2 0 4 X 12 13 2

W: Hopkins, Gracie (3-1) L: A. Escarrama (0-4)

Game Recap: Softball |

Hawks Win Home Opener Over the University of Saint Joseph

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -  The Hartford softball team hosted its first game of the 2025 season on Thursday defeating cross-town rivals the University of Saint Joseph by a 12-4 final after five innings. 

Rapid Recap:
  • The Blue Jays offense struck first in the top of the first inning scoring three runs with two outs to take the early lead. The Hawks responded in a big way plating six runs in the bottom of the inning. It started with sophomore Alexis Sealey (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) who doubled to kick off the inning. Freshman Katrina Baran (Townsend, Del.) brought in the run on a triple to right field. Freshman Ella Zobel (Clarence, N.Y.) followed with a two RBI single to score Baran and freshman Lucy Lembo (Albany, N.Y.). Hartford took the lead with a two RBI single by junior Taylor Fitch (Andover, Conn.) before a senior Sarah Serrano (Windsor, Conn.) sacrifice fly got home the sixth run of the inning as the Hawks led 6-3 after one. 
  • Senior Olivia Wolk (Sugarloaf, Pa.) added two more runs in the bottom of the second with a no-doubt home run to score Lembo who singled as the lead grew to 8-3. USJ would get a run back in the top of third on a RBI single after a double to cut the deficit to four runs. In the bottom of the fourth the Hawks bats exploded again getting four more runs. Fitch picked up her third RBI with a triple to right center,  sophomore Hailey Pruett (Nottingham, N.H.) followed it up with a RBI single to plate Fitch. Sealey added a RBI of her own with another triple before Baran doubled home Sealey to push the home lead to 12-4. The Blue Jays could not get a run across falling 12-4 in five innings. 
In the Circle:
  • Sophomore Gracie Hopkins (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) got the start tossing three innings to improve to 3-1 on the year allowing four runs on six hits with four punch outs. Sealey closed things out with two shut out innings and a strikeout. 
At The Plate:
  • Fitch went 2-for-3 to lead the offense with three RBIs, two runs scored and a triple. Pruett added a 2-for-3 day with two RBIs, a double and a run scored. Baran went 2-for-4 with a triple, double and two ribbys. Sealey added a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored, triple, double and RBI. 
Post Game Press:
"It felt good to play against my sister and to back my team", said junior Taylor Fitch (Andover, Conn.). "It was a rough start, but we defended our field, came back and attacked to get the win."

Up Next:
The Hawks kick off Conference of New England (CNE) play this weekend hosting Roger Williams on Saturday with a first pitch at 12:00 PM.

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