HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College softball team struggled in their debut at home against Penn State Altoona. The Lions handed the Hawks two conference losses (17-3, 10-1), which means the Hawks are still searching for their first AMCC win this season.
 
The Hawks dug themselves into a deficit early, giving up four runs in the first inning, as all of Altoona's starters had a chance to bat. However, the Hawks' first eleven at bats all resulted in an out. Hilbert did not record a hit until Natalie Whitman's double in the bottom of the fourth.
 
After giving up seven runs in the first three innings, the Hawks managed to hold Altoona scoreless in the next two. Despite those strong defensive innings, the Lions had a ten run spurt in the top of the sixth to gain a 17-0 lead. The Hawks did not give up and battled for three runs in their final at bat. Kateland Ball stole home on a passed ball, while Whtiman's single brought Eliza Stringham home and Amanda Binder then brought Whitman home on a sacrifice fly. 
 
Whitman lead the Hawks with two hits, while five Lions scored two runs in the first game. In the five innings she pitched, Raychel DeArmitt only allowed two hits and no runs scored.
 
After the 17-3 loss, the Hawks came out rejuvenated and ready to go. They held Penn State Altoona to two scoreless innings, but the Hawks could not get on the board either. The Lions used a three-run third inning to pull away from Hilbert and the only homerun of the day came from Altoona's Brittany Smith in the top of the fourth inning.
 
Rachel Collier's double brought Whitman around, giving the Hawks their only run of the second game. The Lions would tack on another six runs over the next three innings to solidify the 10-1 win. Despite an improved defensive effort in the second game, the Hawks were only able to muster two hits all game – by Whitman and Collier – compared to Altoona's thirteen hits.
 
Altoona's Kate Purge struck out five Hawks and only walked one. In the loss, Jaelyn Gotham had four strikeouts and saw 34 at bats.

Hilbert continues their hunt for an AMCC win as they take on Pitt-Greensburg tomorrow in a doubleheader, with games being played at 11:00am and 1pm in Hamburg.