DeLand, FL - The University of Hartford softball team opened the 2009 season with a doubleheader at the Stetson Classic on Friday afternoon at Patricia Wilson Field. The Hawks fell to the University of Iowa 7-1 to start the day, and later dropped a 2-1 decision to Stetson.
Iowa (17-4 overall) took a 1-0 lead in the second and never looked back, tacking on two runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Hartford managed just two hits off Hawkeye pitcher Amanda Zust who gave up one run on two hits while striking out five and walking three to improve her record to 7-1. The Hawks' lone run came in the seventh on a solo home run by senior Kristen Cericola. Olivia Piacentini also led Hartford with one hit (1-for-3).
For the Hawks, junior Brittney Stratton threw six innings and allowed six earned runs on 11 hits. She struck out two while walking six.
Iowa took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as junior Katie Brown drew a walk and advanced home on a fielder's choice following two illegal pitches by Stratton.
The Hawkeyes broke the game open in the fourth tacking on two more as Iowa senior Erin Riemersma tripled to drive in one run. Riemersma eventually advanced home on a Stratton illegal pitch. Iowa then plated two more in the fifth off a Katie Keim home run to give the Hawkeyes a 5-1 advantage over Hartford.
Hartford loaded the bases in the fifth inning after Cericola drew a walk, gave up a two-out single to Piacentini, and Zust walked Jackie Simonetty. The Hawks were unable to bring in a run however and stranded three runners on base at the end of the inning. The Hawkeyes added two more insurance runs in the sixth as senior Colleen McGlaughlin blasted a home run to bring in Quinn Morelock, who singled to open the frame.
In the second session of the afternoon versus Stetson, junior Ann Kyzer gave the Hawks an early advantage with a one-out sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second to bring home Hartford's lone run of the game.
The Hawks' bats went quiet for the remainder of the game however as Hatters' pitcher Erica Demers retired 17 of 19 Hartford batters to close the game. The senior surrendered just one hit and one earned run while striking out nine Hawks and walking one in seven full innings of action.
In her debut as a Hawk, pitcher Siera Sheehan opened her collegiate career on fire. The rookie held Stetson scoreless in the first five innings, allowing just two hits while striking out four Hatters. Junior Amanda Lindsey got the Hatters on the scoreboard with a leadoff homer to open the sixth to even the score at one run apiece. Sheehan recorded three strikeouts in 6.1 innings.
A one-out solo homer by senior Andrew Migliori gave the Hatters a 2-1 in the top of the seventh. Demers then retired three-consecutive Hartford batters to seal the game for the host team. With the victory, Stetson improved its overall record to 9-12 on the season.
The Hawks will continue action with another pair of games at the Stetson Classic on Saturday, March 14. Hartford will face Cornell at 11:00 a.m. and Iowa at 4:00 p.m.
