WORCESTER, Mass. - The Hartford Softball team hit the road on Tuesday to face off against ranked opponent, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and dropped both matchups. 

Rapid Recap Game 1 (L, 11-3):

• The Hawks started off the scoring in game one, pushing across two early runs in the top half of the first inning. Sophomore Alyssa Edwards (Stoughton, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice, scoring sophomore Katrina Baran (Townsend, Del.) on an error. Junior Adelie Beebe (Sacramento, Calif.) continued the scoring for Hartford, pushing across Edwards on a sacrifice fly. WPI would not go silently in the bottom half of the inning however, as they would push across three to take the lead after one.
• In the top of the second the Hawks again had something brewing as freshman Alina Weaver (Nazareth, PA) would drive home sophomore Ella Zobel (Clarence, N.Y.) on her single up the gut. This was the end of the Hartford momentum, though, as the Engineers would go on to score eight unanswered runs to take game one by the score of 11-3 in just five innings.

In the Circle:

• Zobel toed the rubber to start for the Hawks, finishing 2.0 innings while allowing nine runs on nine hits. Despite the rough outing, the sophomore registered the 100th strikeout of her career with the Hawks. Hartford called upon the junior, Gracie Hopkins (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) in relief and she would finish with 2.1 innings pitched, two runs, two hits and two strikeouts.

At the Plate:

• Baran led the way for the Hawks on offense, picking up two hits in the contest. Senior GIa Miccio (Bellmore, N.Y.) and sophomore Eryn Coyle (Monroe, N.Y.) also picked up two knocks in game one with Miccio also picking up an RBI for Hartford.

Rapid Recap Game 2 (L,7-6):

• The Hawks again got the offense rolling early, as Beebe laid down a bunt to score Weaver to make it 1-0. The Hawks were not quite done yet in the first, as senior Anita Farkash (Seaford, N.Y.) singled to right field to score Miccio to make it 2-0. In similar fashion to game one, WPI was able to push across three in the bottom of the first to make the score again, 3-2 after one. 
• In the top of the second, senior catcher Taylor Fitch (Andover, Conn.), saw an opportunity and stole home to tie it back up for Hartford. Miccio added on in the inning, driving a double into the gap to bring home a second run in the inning to run the score to 4-3. The Engineers would not quit however, scoring a run in the bottom half of the second via a wild pitch with the bases loaded. The Hawks were able to limit the damage, only allowing the tying run to cross, leaving ducks on the pond to keep the score knotted.
• In the top half of the third Hartford regained the lead again courtesy of a Farkash solo shot to make the score 5-4. WPI would go quiet in the third but would score in both the bottom of the fourth and sixth to retake the lead 6-5. The Hawks would not go quietly as in the top of the seventh Baran singled into right center to drive home Weaver to retire the game at six apiece. Unfortunately for Hartford, WPI had the last crack at it and would walk off the Hawks to win the grudge match by the score of 7-6.

In the Circle:

• Senior Carly Mayhood (Newton, N.J.) got the ball to start game two going 4.0 innings pitched while allowing five runs on six hits. Hopkins again was the call out of the bullpen in game two as she registered 2.2 innings pitched, allowing two runs on four hits.

At the Plate:

• Weaver was the spark for the Hawks in game two, picking up two hits and scoring three of Hartford's six runs. Baran and Farkash also played vital roles in the Hawks offensive attack, picking up two hits each, with Farkash picking up two RBI and Baran tallying one.

Up Next:
Hartford will be back in action at home on Friday April 17th, as they host Conference of New England opponent Gordon College for a double header. First pitch of game one is slated for 2:00 PM.

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