Spring Break
URI softball defeats U. Hartford to end 12 game losing streak
Chris Smith
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports
04/16/09 - The University of Rhode Island softball team (9-28 overall, 1-9 A-10) snapped its 12 game losing streak defeating the University of Hartford, 5-1 and 12-4, in a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at the URI Softball Complex.
The Rams cruised in both games with a season high 12 runs in game two and a combined total of 24 hits.
"We have been close in a lot of our losses," head coach Erin Layton said. "I think that we took a hard conference weekend and we were able to recover and put a positive on it. We hit the ball today better than we have hit in awhile."
Rhody also received a strong pitching performance from freshman Alison Hartzell as she relieved both starting pitchers and did not allow a single run.
"Allison wants the ball and she does a great job for us," Layton said. "We appreciate her effort today. She was well prepared and keeps asking for the opportunity."
Freshman Courtney Prendergastt raised her team high RBI total to 15 going 5-for-8 with six RBIs in the doubleheader. Freshman Brittany Julich also had a big day, as she was 4-for-7 with four RBIs.
"I think Courtney did a great job for us again today," Layton said. "It was a team effort everybody did their part. Brittany came through with a clutch hit. We played well today."
Prendergastt got the scoring started in game one with a first inning RBI double. In the second sophomore Amanda Sbei drove in senior Alyse Fram from third after she was walked and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a stolen base.
Hartford loaded the bases in the third, but Hartzell relieved starter Odalys Torres and allowed just one unearned run.
Rhody struck again in the fourth as Julich tripled to right field scoring two. Prendergastt then drove in Julich with an RBI double as the Rams took a 5-1 lead.
Hartzell shut down Hartford the rest of the way and Rhody took game one 5-1.
In game two the Rams continued to stay hot at the plate as they scored 12 runs in five innings. Leah Dibussolo hit a two run shot to left field in the first inning to start the scoring.
In the fourth inning Rhody added to their lead as Prendergastt hit a solo homerun over the centerfield wall making it 8-0.
Hartford attempted to make it interesting by scoring four runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the lead in half. Hartzell relieved sophomore Stacey Stanovich with the bases loaded to get the final out of the inning.
The Rams added four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth before an out could be recorded. Rhody hit the eight run rule mark and took the 12-4 victory in five innings.
"I'm real impressed with the way we were able to get out of a couple sticky situations," Layton said. "I'm real proud of the way we played today."
The Rams cruised in both games with a season high 12 runs in game two and a combined total of 24 hits.
"We have been close in a lot of our losses," head coach Erin Layton said. "I think that we took a hard conference weekend and we were able to recover and put a positive on it. We hit the ball today better than we have hit in awhile."
Rhody also received a strong pitching performance from freshman Alison Hartzell as she relieved both starting pitchers and did not allow a single run.
"Allison wants the ball and she does a great job for us," Layton said. "We appreciate her effort today. She was well prepared and keeps asking for the opportunity."
Freshman Courtney Prendergastt raised her team high RBI total to 15 going 5-for-8 with six RBIs in the doubleheader. Freshman Brittany Julich also had a big day, as she was 4-for-7 with four RBIs.
"I think Courtney did a great job for us again today," Layton said. "It was a team effort everybody did their part. Brittany came through with a clutch hit. We played well today."
Prendergastt got the scoring started in game one with a first inning RBI double. In the second sophomore Amanda Sbei drove in senior Alyse Fram from third after she was walked and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a stolen base.
Hartford loaded the bases in the third, but Hartzell relieved starter Odalys Torres and allowed just one unearned run.
Rhody struck again in the fourth as Julich tripled to right field scoring two. Prendergastt then drove in Julich with an RBI double as the Rams took a 5-1 lead.
Hartzell shut down Hartford the rest of the way and Rhody took game one 5-1.
In game two the Rams continued to stay hot at the plate as they scored 12 runs in five innings. Leah Dibussolo hit a two run shot to left field in the first inning to start the scoring.
In the fourth inning Rhody added to their lead as Prendergastt hit a solo homerun over the centerfield wall making it 8-0.
Hartford attempted to make it interesting by scoring four runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the lead in half. Hartzell relieved sophomore Stacey Stanovich with the bases loaded to get the final out of the inning.
The Rams added four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth before an out could be recorded. Rhody hit the eight run rule mark and took the 12-4 victory in five innings.
"I'm real impressed with the way we were able to get out of a couple sticky situations," Layton said. "I'm real proud of the way we played today."
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