BUFFALO, N.Y. – Hilbert College fell twice to D'Youville College this afternoon in softball. The Hawks struggled to connect at the plate against the toughest pitcher in the league, junior Kalie McHenry, last year's league pitcher of the year. McHenry tossed two complete games against Hilbert and limited the visitors to six hits.
Jaelyn Gotham struck out four while walking seven in four innings of work in the night cap game. The junior gave up five hits which converted to eight runs. The Spartans scored a single run in the first inning and added four markers in the second to go up 5-0. The hosts dropped three runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a 3-run, triple.
Rachel Collier singled in the fourth inning and
Phoenix Rollek and
Erin Smith grabbed a single bag in the fifth, but that was all the Hawks were able to sneak by the Spartans defense.
Hilbert found themselves down 5-1 after three innings in the opening game. The Spartans opened the game with a triple and then just knocked in single RBI's through the next inning.
The Hawks were on the move after
Crystal Hailey's single got her on base in the third inning. She moved a bag with the next two batters and when
Jenna Castricone reached on shortstop error, Chrystal Hailey sprinted home.
Rebecca Bailey singled and then
Rachel Collier's hit loaded the bases. All three ducks on the pond were stranded when the next batter popped up to the short stop.
D'Youville earned their 5th run off a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the third and then neither team put a dent in the score board after that until the bottom of the sixth.
The Spartans loaded the bases after the first three batters and slowly inched their way to a victory.
Victoria Dzaak struck out two, while giving up 12 hits and four walks against 36 batters.
The Hawks (2-24, 0-14) will close their season this weekend when they travel to Erie, Pa for their rescheduled Penn State Behrend game on Friday. Hilbert will spend the night in Steubenville then rise and grind early against Franciscan University Saturday.
