BEVERLY, Mass. - On Thursday the University of Hartford softball team kicked off the Conference of New England (CNE) championship pod play falling to #1 Endicott College by a 4-2 final. With the loss the Hawks will be in action later today taking on the loser of #2 Roger Williams University and #3 Johnson & Wales University.
Rapid Recap Endicott (L, 4-2):
- The teams had a quiet first inning with neither team producing a runner in scoring position. The Gulls would jump ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the second on a fielder's choice RBI after a walk and error started the inning. Hartford was primed to get a run back in the top of the third after freshman Ariana Hernandez (Fair Lawn, N.J.) singled followed by a double by sophomore Eryn Coyle (Monroe, N.Y.). Freshman Alina Weaver (Nazareth, Pa.) lifted a fly ball, but Hernandez was called out trying to tag up in a controversial call which led to a scoreless inning.
- The Gulls would get two more runs in the bottom of the third on three hits to take a 3-0 advantage. Junior Adelie Beebe (Sacramento, Calif.) would get Hartford on the board with a booming home run to cut the deficit to 3-1. In the top of the fifth the Hawks had another golden chance. Freshman Priya Bedard (Medway, Mass.) singled to start the inning followed by a error for the Gulls had the runners first and third with zero outs. Coyle came through with a base hit to plate the second run. With runners on second and third with just one out the Hawks had bad luck with a line out and ground out to end the inning.
- Kylyn McLaren added some insurance in the bottom of the inning launching a homer of her own. Hartford would get only one hit in the final six outs as the Gulls flew to the game one win.
In the Circle:
- Sophomore Ella Zobel (Clarence, N.Y.) picked up the loss tossing five innings allowing four runs (three earned) with five strikeouts. Junior Gracie Hopkins (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) threw the final inning with a strikeout.
- Kristen Beebe earned the win allowing two runs in four innings. Analise Grady picked up the save going the remaining three innings.
At the Plate:
- Coyle led the offense going 2-for-3 with a RBI and a double. Beebe added her seventh long ball of the year. The Hawks only generated six hits in the loss.
- Endicott had eight hits on the day with no single batter getting multiple knocks.
Up Next:
The Hawks will be back in action later in the day taking on the loser of Roger Williams and Johnson & Wales.
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