ONEONTA, N.Y. - For the first time in 6,888 days, the Hartwick Hawks Softball program returned to the diamond, kicking off their 2025 campaign with a series split against the Broncos of SUNY Delhi at Cooperstown All-Star Village on Wednesday afternoon,

THE BASICS

• Game 1 Score: SUNY Delhi 7 Hartwick 2

• Game 2 Score: SUNY Delhi 3 Hartwick 5

• Location: Oneonta, N.Y. | Cooperstown All-Star Village

• Records: SUNY Delhi (5-5, 0-0 NAC), Hartwick (1-1, 0-0 Empire 8)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The Hawks prepared to take the diamond for the first time since 2006, matching up with the SUNY Delhi Broncos to kick off the 2025 season.

• Hartwick was ready to roll from the first pitch as Nadia Pascucci (Troy, N.Y.) opened the game with some fancy defense in center field, making a diving catch to rob the Broncos of a hit.

• Bella Martinez (Port Byron, N.Y.) flashed some leather as well, making a diving stop at the hot corner and throwing out the runner from a knee, making a statement in the first top half.

• Autumn Millington (Westmoreland, N.Y.) was the first to touch the bases, earning a walk and taking advantage of a Bronco error, making her way to third base but the Hawks could not convert.

• After a scoreless first, Ashlee Stevens (Knox, N.Y.) got her first collegiate strikeout, blowing the heater past the batter for another scoreless inning.

• Anna Klein (Souderton, Pa.) picked up her first collegiate base hit, sending a missile to the right center gap for the two bagger for the first hit of the game.

• Delhi struck first in the top of the third, picking up four runs on four hits as the Hawks faced their first test of the year.

• Coach Stroop's squad was not deterred, answering back with a run of their own as Casey O'Connor (Albany, N.Y.) earned a walk from the leadoff spot. Millington legged out an infield single, advancing O'Connor to third before a wild pitch allowed O'Connor to cross the plate and put Millington in scoring position.

• Stevens bounced back in the next inning, taking the Broncos down in order to give the Hawk bats another chance to make something happen.

• Klein connected on her second extra base hit of the day with a missile to left center, banging up against the outfield wall for the stand up double but was stranded on base.

• Two free passes for Delhi allowed them to score one run in the top of the fifth, extending their lead to four before the Hawks responded once again as Pascucci knocked in the second run of the afternoon.

• The Broncos put up two runs on three hits in the top of the 7th to shut the door on the Hawks in Game One, taking the 7-2 victory.

GAME 2

• After a brief intermission, the Hawks were determined to get back on the field and even the season series with Klein on the bump to begin Game Two.

• Hartwick was faced with early adversity, conceding two runs to the Green and Gold on two hits and an error.

• Millington displayed her plate discipline once again, picking up her second free pass of the day but the Hawks went away quietly in the first.

• A strong second inning from Klein, putting down Delhi 1,2,3 got the Hawks back up to the plate swiftly with another chance to chip away at the Bronco lead.

• Samantha Moore (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) opened up the bottom half with an exclamation point, crushing a pitch over the center field wall for a loud first collegiate hit, slicing the deficit in half.

• The Hawks came to life as Pascucci kept the momentum rolling with a base hit and Samantha Osborne (Schenevus, N.Y.) picked up the walk.

• O'Connor put the ball in play, causing trouble for the Delhi infield as an error by the second baseman allowed the Royal Blue and White to tie the game.

• Hartwick took their first lead of the 2025 campaign with an RBI single from Emily Holladay (Hancocks Bridge, N.J.) to cap off the big second inning.

• Klein began to find her groove, setting down six consecutive Broncos before helping herself out on the offensive side of things, picking up yet another extra base hit.

• Moore struck again, catapulting another ball over the center field wall for the two-run bomb, putting the squad up 5-2, capping off the Hawks offensive production.

• A sacrifice fly from the Broncos allowed them to answer back with a run of their own before Klein closed the door on the Broncos, shutting down the Delhi offense for the remainder of the game. Klein picked up the complete game victory for her first career victory on the bump, allowing five hits and two runs, picking up two strikeouts.

• Samantha Moore led the charge on offense, picking up two round-trippers for three RBI's as the Hawks picked up their first victory since the 2006 squad defeated Oswego 4-1 on April 30th.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH BRITTANY STROOP

"Today was a historical day for not just our program but for the entire athletic department. It was great to be able to pick up the first win of the new era of Hartwick on opening day. I was proud to see our team rebound from the adversity they faced in the first game to pick up the win in game 2. We're ready to turn our attention to Myrtle Beach where we can continue to build on today's accomplishments."

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will prepare for the Fastpitch Dreams Classic Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, opening up on Monday, March 17th against Martin Luther College at 9AM.

About Hartwick College:

Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.