BUFFALO, N.Y. – Morgan McNeill led the Hawks with four hits and 2RBIs as the softball team at Hilbert took two losses at Medaille yesterday (9-1 and 8-7).

Jaelyn Gotham went six innings in the first game and Rachel Allen closed the night cap with a complete 7-inning game.

The Mavericks (11-9, 4-6 AMCC) trailed Hilbert 1-0 to start the bottom of the 2nd inning the opening game.  Alexandria Wankel and Jenna Castricone singled to start the day.  McNeill earned an RBI single in the four-spot which gave Hilbert their short-lived lead.

The hosts then collected five runs off three hits including a 2 RBI triple to build a 5-1 lead heading into the 3rd.  Medaille then tacked on runs in the bottom of the final three innings en route to a 6-inning victory.

McNeill went 2-for-3 with the one RBI.  Jaelyn Gotham finished with one strike out and six walks.

Hilbert once again jumped out ahead of the curve taking a 2-1 lead by the bottom of the 2nd inning in the nigtht cap.

After the game's first six outs, McNeill walked at the top of the 2nd.  Brittany Cooley reached on an error setting up two in scoring position.  Amanda Hucksoll followed with a 2RBI single before the final out.  

The Mavericks hit a homer for their first run of the afternoon to cut the score to a 2-1 deficit.

Jenna Castricone doubled to left field and was knocked home by McNeill which padded another run in Hilbert's favor in the top of the third.

With bases loaded after Medaille's first four batters, a throwing error gave the Mavs time to sprint home for a pair of runs which tied the game at 3-3.

After another scoreless fourth inning, the Hawks posted four runs on the board in the 5th while Medaille added a pair. 

Morgan Grosch singled up the middle, Castricone walked and McNeill singled the third base.  Anndrea Quiroga's RBI ground-out scored Grosch.  Hilbert got into another bases loaded situation with Crystal Hailey at the plate.  She earned an RBI when she walked to 1st base.  

Two more runs crossed the plate while Wyann Jackson was at bat before she even made contact with the ball.  A passed ball advance the three runners forward for another run and that action was repeated thanks to a wild pitch.  When it was all said and done, Hilbert held a 7-3 lead heading to the bottom of the 5th.

Medaille tacked two runs on in the bottom half of that inning after their scoring runners made it to 1st off a base on balls.

Castricone earned a hit in the 6th before Medaille took their bats back in the bottom half.

The Mavs singled, walked, 2RBI double, walked and another 2RBI single to take the lead 8-7 at bottom of 6th.  And when Hilbert stranded Victoria Dzaak on third base after their final out, the Hawks slipped 8-7.

Castricone and McNeill each finished with two hits (3 at-bats) and Amanda Hucksoll collected 2 RBIs.  Rachel Allen struck six out with one wild pitch and six hits tallied against her.

The Hawks softball team has a few days off from competition before they host their senior day game Saturday, April 23 against Franciscan University at 1pm.  Hilbert will honor Jaelyn Gotham, Crystal Hailey, Wyann Jackson and Shenique Nibbs prior to the game introductions.