BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Roger Williams University Softball team split a Conference of New England (CNE) doubleheader with the University of New England on Saturday afternoon at Nor'easter Diamond. The Hawks earned a 2–0 shutout victory in game one before falling 2–0 in the second contest.
Game One – RWU 2, UNE 0
Roger Williams relied on dominant pitching and timely hitting to take the opener. After a scoreless first four innings, the Hawks broke through in the fifth when Hailey Williams (Vernon, Conn.) delivered an RBI double to left center, scoring Andie Moreira (Concord, N.H.) to give RWU a 1–0 lead.
The Hawks added an insurance run in the seventh inning as Lucy Maurao (Holliston, Mass.) singled and later scored on an RBI double by Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.), extending the lead to 2–0.
That was more than enough for Raegen Germano (Old Tappan, N.J.), who was outstanding in the circle. Germano tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout, striking out eight and working around three walks to secure the win.
At the plate, Maurao led the Hawks with two hits, while Williams and Starratt each drove in a run in the victory.
Game Two – UNE 2, RWU 0
The nightcap turned into a pitcher's duel, with both teams limited offensively throughout the game.
UNE broke through in the third inning with an RBI double from Emma Michaud and added another run in the fifth on an RBI single to take a 2–0 lead.
Roger Williams had opportunities to respond, including a leadoff triple from Madison Tucholski (Massapequa, N.Y.) in the fifth and a double from Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.) in the sixth, but the Hawks were unable to capitalize on their scoring chances.
Keira Quadros (East Providence, R.I.) pitched well in the loss, allowing just two runs over six innings while striking out six, but UNE's pitching duo of Lizzie Brytowski and Mo Kinsella combined to hold RWU scoreless and secure the split.
Roger Williams (18-12, 10-6 CNE) will continue conference play with a DH at home against Nichols starting at 12:00 PM on Apr. 26.
