April 12, 2008

Game One | Game Two

BOSTON - The Boston University softball team split with Hartford on Saturday when it claimed a 1-0 victory in the first game and dropped a 4-1 decision in game two. Sophomore Cassidi Hardy pitched a gem in game one, striking out nine batters, while allowing just one hit and two walks. BU stands at 22-13 overall and 8-2 in America East play, while Hartford is 15-10 overall and 4-6 in conference action. The Terriers and Hawks will face off in the rubber match on Sunday at noon.

It was a pitcher's duel in the first game as Hardy and Hartford's Brittany Stratton struck out nine and six batters, respectively, and held both offenses to a combined five hits over six and a half innings. Hardy finished the game with one hit, two walks and six strikeouts for her sixth shutout, while Stratton gave up four hits and one run with six strikeouts.

BU broke up the scoreless deadlock in the fifth inning, when senior Tyler Benson singled through the left side, allowing sophomore Rachel Moeller to make her way home and score the game-winning run.

In game two, BU scored in the first frame, taking advantage of a passed ball to move freshman April Setterlund to third before scoring on a ground out to second base. The Hawks knotted the score in the next half inning on a double to right field that plated the tying run. Hartford took its first lead of the series in the third with a two-run shot to right field. The Hawks tacked on one more in the fifth with an RBI double to left center.

Sophomore Megan Currier was charged with the loss in the circle, pitching 2.2 innings with three runs on four hits and two walks. Freshman Kelley Engman came into the game in relief and allowed one run on one hit with three strikeouts.

BU and Hartford will complete the three-game series on Sunday at noon.