MINNEOLA, Fla. — The Roger Williams University softball team won 6-1 in today's first game against Northwestern-St. Paul and lost 3-4 to Utica on the last day of spring break for the Hawks.
 
In the opener, Roger Williams jumped out on top early and never looked back. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the first, Tara Chatowsky (North Kingstown, R.I.) knocked a double to right center to score Sydney Provencal (Cumberland, R.I.) and Alexis Romano (Shirley, N.Y.). Taylor Bigliani (Saint James, N.Y.) stepped up next and scored Alex Lombardo (Thomaston, Conn.) from third with a sacrifice fly to up Roger Williams up 3-0.
 
In the top of the second, the Hawks added three more runs in the frame. After a leadoff triple by Taylor Chatowsky (North Kingstown, R.I.), Bella Malvinni (Westerly, R.I.) brought her home with an RBI single to make it 4-0 Roger Williams. Elizabeth Lombardo (Thomaston, Conn.) stepped up two batters later to lace a two-RBI single, bringing home Malvinni and Audrey Gavin (Old Lyme, Conn.).
 
The six-run lead would be more than enough for RWU starter Lia Nocella (Tyngsboro, Mass.). She would hold Northwestern-St. Paul to only one run over the course of the game. Nocella went the distance, allowing the lone run in seven innings of work with five strikeouts for her first collegiate complete game.
 
Romano finished 2-for-4 with a run scored in the game for RWU, while Provencal was 1-for-2 with a run and two walks. Tara Chatowsky added one hit and two RBIs.
 
Game two was a tough loss for the Hawks that went into extra innings. Alyssa Murray (Green Brook, N.J.) pitched eight straight innings only allowing six hits, four runs, one walk, and earning three strikeouts.
 
In the bottom of the third, Provencal singled to the shortstop stealing second on the next pitch. With two outs, Tr. Chatowsky doubled through the right side scoring Provencal. Amanda Boulter (Wakefield, Mass.) then hit an RBI single to right field plating Tr. Chatowsky for a 2-0 lead.
 
In the top of the fifth, Utica came back strong scoring three runs from two singles and two errors in the field putting them ahead one (3-2).
 
The Hawks added one more run in the bottom of the sixth when Ty Chatowsky laid down a beautiful bunt to the pitcher for a single and then stole second. Malvinni then sacrificed a bunt to move Ty Chatowsky over to third in scoring position. Gavin then reached first base on an error by the pitcher causing Ty Chatowsky to score to tie the game 3-3.
 
In extra innings with a runner automatically set on second base, a strike out and a catch by Boulter in foul territory gave the Hawks an early two outs. However, Jacqueline Aronin (Naugatuck, Conn.) who was on second advanced to third on the play. With obvious pressure, Nicole Rice (Williamsville, N.Y.) singled to right field scoring the winning run for the Pioneers.
 
RWU, in the bottom of the eighth left a runner on third to end the game 4-3.
 
The Hawks look to play Coast Guard in a double header 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19^th.