Hartford Softball began its season with two wins against Framingham State University in nonconference games held in Framingham, Massachusetts.
In the first game, sophomore Alyssa Edwards hit a two-run home run during her first collegiate at-bat, giving Hartford an early lead. Framingham State responded with a run in the third inning, but Hartford extended its advantage with runs from Holly Myers and Gia Miccio. The final score was 4-1 in favor of Hartford. Junior pitcher Gracie Hopkins started for the Hawks, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing only one run while striking out five batters. Sophomore Ella Zobel closed out the game with 2.1 innings pitched and three strikeouts to earn the save.
Offensively, Edwards went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Additional hits came from Miccio, Myers, Eryn Coyle, and Katrina Baran.
After the game, Edwards said: “Being back is such a surreal feeling, and to spark the offense in the first inning like that felt incredibly rewarding to me. I am so proud of each and every one of my teammates, and now we just have to keep the momentum going as we head to Florida!”
In the second game of the doubleheader, Hartford scored twice in the first inning without recording a hit due to errors by Framingham State. The Rams narrowed the gap but Hartford added insurance runs through contributions from players including Myers and freshman Alina Weaver. In a tense seventh inning, senior pitcher Carly Mayhood recorded back-to-back strikeouts with bases loaded before closing out a 5-4 win.
Zobel started again for Hartford with two innings pitched before Mayhood entered in relief for five innings. Mayhood allowed just one earned run while striking out eight batters.
At bat, Sydney Matz led with two hits including a double; Edwards and Lauren Ackerman also contributed multiple hits and RBIs.
Mayhood commented after her performance: “As a senior captain, a lot of it came down to trusting the work I have put in throughout our practices. In the moment, I trusted my catcher behind the play, and trusted the pitch calls from Coach Julie.” She added: “I believed I was as prepared as I could be, and that confidence helped me stay composed and finish it out for the team.”
Hartford’s next scheduled game is against Nebraska Wesleyan University on March 13th at Melbourne, Florida during the Space Coast Spring Games. The team’s home opener will take place on March 22nd against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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