CLERMONT, Fla. – The Roger Williams University Softball team fell to Hope 3-0 on Friday afternoon at Hancock Park during Spring Break.

Hailey Mellec recorded the win for Hope, pitching five innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits. Mellec struck out five and walked three in the outing. Gianna Kerschbaum pitched two innings for Hope, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out two. For the Hawks, Keira Quadros (East Providence, R.I.) will take the loss, as she pitched five innings allowing five hits and three runs. Sophia Bruno (Sandwich, Mass.) relieved Quadros and pitched one inning, allowing just one hit.

Hope broke out to an early lead, scoring their only three runs in the first inning. Kate DeMann and Sophie Stironek both singled and then pulled off the double steal to move runners into scoring position. Macy Verbeek singled to center to bring both runners home and to put Hope up 2-0. With Verbeek advancing to second, Gianna Kerschbaum doubled to put Hope ahead 3-0.

Those three runs would be all Hope needed, as both teams would not bring another runner around for the rest of the game.

The Hawks' four hits came from Lucy Maurao (Holliston, Mass.), Hailey Williams (Vernon, Conn.), Adrianna Amaral (Taunton, Mass.), and Quadros. Maurao went 1-for-3 with a hit by pitch, while Amaral hit a double. Getting on base for the Hawks, Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.) drew two walks, while Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.) and McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.) both drew one each.

Roger Williams (1-1, 0-0 CNE) will be back in action on Saturday, March 7th in Clermont, Florida at Legends against Northwestern (MN) at 10:00 am followed by Penn State Brandywine at 12:15pm.