HOUGHTON, N.Y. - The Hartwick Hawks Softball program got on the road for the first conference road series this season, securing their first conference victory this year with a series split against the Highlanders on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS

• Game 1 Score: Hartwick 3 Houghton 4

• Game 2 Score: Hartwick 13 Houghton 3

• Location: Houghton, N.Y.

• Records: Hartwick (6-14, 1-5 Empire 8) Houghton (6-15, 1-7 Empire 8)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The Hawks looked to get back on track on the road against the Highlanders after a busy weekend with two tough squads in Nazareth and St. John Fisher.

• Nadia Pascucci (Troy, NY) opened the contest with a two out single to center field to get the first base runner on for the Hawks.

• Samantha Moore (Mamaroneck, NY) continues her stellar debut season with the Royal Blue and White, roping a double to right field to bring Pascucci home from first as the team grabbed an early 1-0 lead.

• Anna Klein (Souderton, PA) got the start on the bump and worked her way out of an early jam, forcing a double play after surrendering a double and a base on balls.

• Hartwick made it happen with two outs once again as Sierra Phillips (Salem, NY) legged out the infield single. Pascucci picked up an infield single as well before Moore was able to bring another run across the plate, this time with a base knock to center field in the third.

• Houghton was able to get on the scoreboard in the fourth, stringing together a leadoff double and a base hit to score one.

• Emily Holladay (Hancocks Bridge, N.J.) led off the top of the fifth with a single as the Hawks looked to pad their lead. Phillips got on base via an error by the pitcher, putting a Hawk in scoring position for Pascucci.

• Nadia Pascucci picked up her third base knock of the day, pushing Holladay across the plate for their third run of the game.

• The Highlanders finally figured out Klein after being held to one run after five innings, pushing in two runs on three hits and an error to even the game up at three.

• Holladay opened up the top of the 7th with a leadoff single but that's all the Hawks could produce in the inning, giving Houghton a chance to win the game in the bottom half.

• The Highlanders opened the bottom half with their leadoff hitter reaching on an error and moving into scoring position on the passed ball. A double would bring home the runner from second base, closing out the first game in favor of Houghton.

GAME TWO

• The Hawks looked to bounce back in game two as Holladay got on board via an error by the Houghton third baseman. Holladay swiped second base and moved to third.

• Pascucci picked up a base knock to bring Holladay in from third, scoring the opening run.

• Hartwick got the bats working again in the top of the third as Holladay worked her way on base again on the error and Phillips pushed her into scoring position with an infield single.

• Pascucci stayed red hot, doubling to right center as Holladay crossed the plate once again.

• Sam Moore continues to tear the cover off the softball, connecting on the three run homerun to put the Hawks up five.

• Coach Stroop's squad continued to roll as Brianna Blake (Mechanicville, NY) picked up an extra base hit before Autumn Millington (Westmoreland, NY) was able to bring her home on the RBI base hit.

• The Highlanders responded with two hits for two runs to cut the Hawk lead down to four runs after three innings.

• Emily Holladay got on base for the third time in as many attempts, this time reaching on a single to left field. Phillips reached first on an error and Pascucci moved both runners into scoring position as the top of the order continued to produce.

• Moore tacked on two more RBI's to her stellar day, connecting on the double to bring home Holladay and Phillips as the Hawks led 8-2 after four innings.

• Blake reached on error in the top of the 7th, followed by an Ashlee Stevens (Knox, NY) and Millington walk to jampack the bases full of Hawks.

• Holladay ripped an RBI single to left field, followed by a 2 RBI single by Sierra Phillips. Pascucci continued to rip through the Highlander pitching, knocking in two more on the single to put the game out of reach and secure their first conference victory this season.

• Kylee Cucci (Brookfield, NY) picked up the victory, hurling a complete game, only allowing five hits and three runs while picking up four K's.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will continue their Empire 8 conference slate on the road, heading to Alfred University for a Sunday series with the Saxons, on April 11th at 1 & 3 PM.

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.