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News Release

UMBC SOFTBALL DROPS SERIES OPENER TO HARTFORD, 8-5

4/16/2005

Heather Bennett knocked a three-run homerun for the Retrievers on Saturday.

Baltimore, Md. - Hartford took advantage of three UMBC errors and four unearned runs as they topped UMBC 8-5 on Saturday morning at the UMBC Softball Stadium.  With the win Hartford moves to 7-11 on the year, 3-4 in the America East Conference while UMBC falls to 20-20-1 on the year and 4-4 in America East Conference play.  The two teams will meet in a doubleheader on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. for the final two games of the series.

The Hawks struck in the first scoring two runs with two outs in the inning.  Liz Borawski doubled into deep centerfield to start the two-out rally and a walk to Nikki Thompson put two aboard.  Kristie Rochette doubled to centerfield plating Borawski and Thompson. 

UMBC responded in the second as Reilly Ward led off with a single and moved to third on a double by Dana Shepard with no outs.  Stevie Shore drove Ward in as she grounded out to shortstop. 

Junior pitcher Amy Sadowl settled in retiring seven consecutive batters, five to strikeout but ran into some trouble in the top of the fourth.  An error at second base allowed lead-off hitter Thompson to reach first base and a double to right field by Rochette plated Thompson.  Lauren Nicholson entered the game for Sadowl on the mound to get UMBC out of the inning down 3-1.

UMBC took their only lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth as a three-run homerun by Heather Bennett, her first of the year, put UMBC up 4-3. 

Hartford, however, responded in the bottom half of the inning as two UMBC errors and three unearned runs gave Hartford the lead for good as they scored one run in the top of the sixth and seventh.

Amanda Bile tallied a homerun in the bottom of the fifth to score UMBC’s fifth run of the game.  Leading the way for UMBc was Ward going 1-for-1 from the plate with two walks and two runs scored.  Nicholson took the loss going 3.0 innings allowing four runs, one earned on two hits and striking out three.  Sadowl in 4.0 innings struck out six with four runs allowed on four hits.  With six strikeouts Sadowl moves into fifth all-time for a UMBC pitcher with 150 career K’s.

Nicole McMillon went 7.0 innings allowing five runs on five hits with three strikeouts.  Rochette finished with three RBI and two hits while Briana Hout also drove in three with two hits.