the Informer

Last week, Hartford’s softball team wrapped up the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee Fla. on a high note, claiming victories in three of its final four games. The Hawks finished the invitational with a 5-3 record, contributing to an overall record of 7-4 for the season.

Riding on an impressive series in the sunshine state, Hartford’s softball team now prepares for their first America East matchup, Maine this Saturday.

After losing the first matchup against Lafayette College earlier in the week, Hartford had the a second chance at redemption Friday. Lafayette struck first with a lead-off, solo home run. The hawks rebounded in the second, bringing home two runners and grasping their first lead of the game. The first run came in off of a throwing error by Lafayette’s catcher, and the second was induced by Jessica Oliveira’s RBI single.

The Leopard’s recaptured the advantage at the top of the seventh but the team’s hope of victory was foiled when Sara Messinger singled and drove two runners in, ending the game in walk-off fashion. Hartford’s Brittney Stratton got the win on the mound, throwing four strike outs, allowing four runs on six hits, in seven innings pitched.

In Friday’s second game Hartford stormed past Manhattan 6-3, behind the bats of Nicole Springer and Jordan Haines. The offensive burst came in the second inning when Springer cleared the bases with her first career grand slam, following Haines’ homerun. Pitcher Siera Sheehan picked up her second win of the season, holding the Jaspers to three runs in her complete game.

Following the team’s two wins Friday, the Hawks began Saturday with their second competition against Colgate in the Rebel series. Hartford dominated the Raiders in the first matchup 7-3 on the opening day but second game results proved to be reversed. Despite a 3-4 batting performance by Jessica Oliveira, the Hawks were unable to capitalize on offense dropping the decision 4-0.

Hartford capped off the Rebel Spring Games in the second game Saturday with a close 3-2 victory against the Rider Broncs. After trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Hawks’ freshman, Jordan Haines was able to capitalize on the shortstop’s fielding error to tie up the ball game. In the top of the fourth, the Hawks tallied the game clinching points off of an infield error and a sacrifice fly.

Pitcher Brittney Stratton did not allow an earned run in route to her fifth win. Hartford’s softball team not only came away from the Rebel Spring Games with a winning record, but two players were awarded honorable mentions by the America East Conference.

Brittney Stratton was awarded the pitcher of the week, and also rewrote Hartford’s record book, becoming the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts.

Freshman Nicole Springer’s batting production awarded her the rookie of the week accolade. Carrying an overall record of 7-4 on their back, Hartford’s softball team will next compete against Maine this weekend in West Hartford.