ALTOONA, PA - The Hilbert College Hawks softball team traveled today to Altoona Pennsylvania to take on AMCC rival Penn State Altoona. The Hawks struggled mightily in the first game of the day but improved as the day went on. They did end up losing both games in the double header.

Game One: Hilbert 0 - Penn State Altoona 18

Game Two: Hilbert 0 - Penn State Altoona 12

Game One: 

• The Hawks had a slow start to the day both offensively and defensively. In the batters box they were unable to get anything going and did not record a hit until the final inning of play. Brenna Mulvaney started at pitcher for the Hawks and was eventually relieved by Gina Salerno.

• Altoona came out of the gates swinging and managed to earn six hits in their first at bats which led to six runs putting them up early. The Hawks did manage to leave two of their runners stranded on base. 

• The Hawks got significantly better defensively in the second though not allowing a single hit. Altoona answered back though with their best inning of the day. They scored eight runs on only three hits including a three run home run. 

• Altoona would put together only one more strong inning in the bottom of the fourth scoring four more times to make it 18-0. With the game on the line the Hawks were not able to score any runs but they did earn their only hit of the game with Bailey Budziszewski hitting a double to left field. 

Game Two: 

• The Hawks got off to a much better start in the second game of the double header. Makenna Smith led off the game for the Hawks and hit a double to left center field but the Hawks were unable to advance her home after she made her way around the diamond to third.

• Brittany McAndrews started the game at pitcher for the Hawks and in the first inning they allowed three runs on three hits. In the second the Hawks did not earn a hit but Tayler Avery did get on base on an error by Altoona. The Hawks showed a little more improvement defensively in the bottom of the second only allowing two runs on three hits. 

• In the third inning the bats for Hilbert continued to struggle and they were unable to get any runners on base. On the other hand Altoona began to heat back up in the batter's box scoring seven more runs.

• Hilbert continued to improve as the game progressed. In the top of the fourth inning the Hawks had three runners get on base. Bailey Budziszewski was the first after she was hit by a pitch. Abigail Dent came on to pinch run for her and she was advanced to second by Renee Barnes who hit a single. Finally Tayler Avery reached on an error but the Hawks could not bring anyone home to keep the score the same. They also played well defensively this inning only allowing one hit. 

• In the final inning of the game the Hawks managed to get two hits. Victoria Hanley hit a single to left field and Morgan Ebert hit a single to right field. They were unable to score and as a result the game ended in the fifth inning by a score of 12-0.

Up Next

The Hawks next double header is against another AMCC opponent, Alfred State College. This will be the first in a long line of home games. The games will be played Tuesday April 25th at 3:00 and 5:00 PM.