UMBC

Krista Kearns pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in relief against Hartford.

Baltimore-The UMBC softball team (30-16, 13-8 America East) dropped its regular-season finale, 7-2, to Hartford (22-25, 12-8 America East) Sunday afternoon at UMBC Softball Stadium. The teams will meet again in the first round of the America East Championships on Thursday, as the Hawks clinched the third seed in the four-team field with the win.

Hartford never trailed in the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Second baseman Amanda Dilworth led off the game with a home run to center field, and the Hawks loaded the bases without recording an out. UMBC starter Jessica Taylor got shortstop Jackie Simonetty to ground into a fielder’s choice, then struck out designated player Olivia Piacentini, but left fielder Kristen Cericola blooped a hit into right to score two runs, and third baseman Rachel Clonick drove in another with a single to left.

The Retrievers got one back in the second when catcher Krissy Licursi hit a one-out single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored when shortstop Reilly Ward reached on an error.

But the Hawks scored three more in the top of the third to take a 7-1 lead. After consecutive singles, Taylor got Clonick to foul out and struck out first baseman Ann Kyzer, but she walked Dilworth to load the bases. Right fielder Amanda Sais then singled up the middle to drive in two, and center fielder Kristie Rochette and catcher Nikki Thompson each walked to force in another run.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the fifth when UMBC left fielder Kristi Troster led off the inning with her second career home run, cutting the deficit to 7-2. But the Retrievers did not score again, leaving a runner on base in each of the last three innings.

Brittney Stratton picked up the victory for Hartford after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out five in the complete game.

Taylor (2-1) suffered the loss for UMBC after giving up seven runs on seven hits and seven walks and striking out three in 2.2 innings of work. Sophomore Krista Kearns relieved Taylor and pitched 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk and striking out six.

Cericola went 4-for-4 in the game with two RBI to lead all hitters.

Before the game, the Retrievers honored their six seniors – Licursi, Ward, Troster, Taylor, first baseman Melanie Denischuk and right fielder Heather Bennett – in a Senior Day ceremony. In addition, assistant coach Dave Witten, who will retire after the season after 15 seasons of coaching, including three at UMBC, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.