Providence, RI - The Hartford softball team hit the road to face off against the newest Conference of New England member, Johnson and Wales, and dropped both contests.

Rapid Recap Game One (L, 7-0):

• The Wildcats jumped on the visiting Hawks early, jumping out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning thanks to an RBI bunt by their third baseman, Jessica Forneiro, and a two-run home run by their catcher, Mady Lyons. JWU would continue to mount the lead in the fourth inning, pushing across another three spot on four hits.

• The Hawks' offense came out of the gate sluggish, waiting until the top of the fifth inning to register their first hit. Despite the single from senior Anita Farkash (Seaford, N.Y.) in the inning, the Hartford offense would remain scoreless for the rest of the contest and would get shut out by the score of 7-0.

In the Circle:

• Senior Carly Mayhood (Newton, N.J.) took the ball to start and finished with a final line score of 4.0 IP, 8 hits, 6 runs and 4 walks. The Hawks turned it over to junior Alex Hassett (Granby, Conn.) for the final two innings of the contest in relief and she kept the Wildcats at bay, allowing only 1 run on 3 hits.

At the Plate:

• Only three Hartford batters picked up a hit in the contest with Farkash, senior Gia Miccio (Bellmore, N.Y.), and freshman Alina Weaver (Nazareth, PA.) logging a hit each.

Rapid Recap Game Two (L, 5-4)

• The Hawks came out in game two swinging, jumpstarting the offense in the top of the first inning. Weaver led off the game with an HBP, and Miccio continued with a double to move two runners into scoring position for junior catcher Adelie Beebe (Sacramento, Calif.). Beebe came in for her squad, driving a single into left field to make the score 2-0 early. JWU would come back to match the offense from Hartford, driving home two runs of their own to even back up the score at two apiece after the first.

• Johnson and Wales would keep the pressure on into the fourth inning, driving home another two runs to take the lead by the score of 4-2. The Wildcats would continue to add to this lead after notching another run in the bottom of the sixth for some insurance to move the deficit to three for the Hawks in the top of the seventh.

• Similar to most of the game for the Hawks, they were able to put some pressure on the bases after being down to their last three outs. Beebe started the rally by sending a solo shot over the wall to make the score 5-3. Then, freshman Priya Bedard (Medway, Mass.) was able to work a walk for freshman Arianna Hernandez (Fair Lawn, N.J.) to send a double into left, and plate Bedard on a JWU error to bring it to within one run. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Wildcats' pitcher Madi Wong was able to hold the offense there, picking up the final out and sealing the sweep for Johnson and Wales by the score of 5-4.

In the Circle:

• Sophomore Ella Zobel (Clarence, N.Y.) got the start, making it through 5.1 IP, allowing 5 runs, 7 hits, and picking up 3 strikeouts. Junior Graice Hopkins (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) entered in relief to pick up the last two outs for the Hawks, doing it cleanly by not allowing a baserunner. 

At the Plate:

• Beebe led the way for Hartford, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs, a double and a homer. Hernandez and sophomore Katrina Baran (Townsend, Del.) also picked up two knocks, with Hernandez driving in the only other run for the Hawks in the matchup.

Playoff Picture:

• With the two losses, Hartford drops to fourth place in the CNE standings, posting a record of 10-8 in conference. The Hawks will close out conference play this weekend and will need lots of help to move anywhere higher than their current fourth-place ranking.

Up Next:
Next time out, the Hawks will be back at home as they face off against CNE opponent University of New England for a senior day doubleheader on Sunday, April 26th. First pitch of game one is expected at 12:00 PM.

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