BRADFORD, Pa. – The Hawks softball team hasn't had their feet on a softball diamond in 11 days and today they traveled to Pitt-Bradford to 'host' the Panthers in an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference game.
Hilbert gave up a three runs at the top of the 1st inning and matched the Panther's single run in the final inning but they suffered a 4-1 loss early in the day. The Hawks suffered un-timely hits in the night cap and couldn't string together any runs as they fell 4-0 later.
Jenna Castricone and
Rebecca Bailey as well as
Morgan Grosch and
Anndrea Quiroga, who both hit the ball hard grabbing a few extra bases, were the four Hawks credited with a hit in the early game.
Bradford got on the board after their sixth batter hit a 2RBI double to right field with two outs in thetop of the first inning.
Quiroga whacked the ball for a double at the bottom of the second inning and then stole third base. She was stranded there as the game progressed with the Hawks down 2-0.
Castricone earned a single to center field but left the diamond after getting caught stealing second in the bottom of the fifth.
Hilbert then had back-to-back contact off the Panther's pitcher. Bailey singled up the middle and Grosch's follow-up triple scored Hilbert only run of the day. Three quick-outs followed with the final score 4-1.
Jaelyn Gotham (1-5) pitched a complete game with four earned runs, one strike out and three walks.
In the night cap, Hilbert wasn't able to string two hits together in a single inning until the bottom of the sixth. Three consecutive hits yet they came up empty by the final out.
Grosch singled to left field and Quiroga singled through the right side. Castricone followed with a third straight hit through the left side which loaded bases.
Then
Amanda Hucksoll reached on a fielder's choice but Bradford chose to throw the runner out at home keeping their shut-out alive.
Earlier in the game,
Alexandria Wankel,
Morgan McNeill and
Crystal Hailey all made it to first base with a hit, but never made it home.
Rachel Allen dropped to 3-5 in her rookie season as she covered the circle for seven innings. She struck out six, gave up two earned runs and walked three in the loss.
The softball team has a very busy weekend a head of them. They host Penn State Behrend tomorrow, April 14 in a 6/8 pm double header at D'Youville's Dobson Field. After a day off on Friday, the Hawks then host Penn State Altoona Saturday and Mount Aloysius on Sunday.
Stayed connected to the website or @hilbertathletic on twitter for any changes in game schedules or site locations.
