HAWKS GAIN SPLIT IN SEASON OPENING TWIN BILL IN KITCHENER

Women's Softball @ Conestoga Condors
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
By: Natalie Stoberman

KITCHENER, Ontario: The Hawks kicked off their season by splitting their double header in Kitchener against the Conestoga Condors. Starting pitchers Amanda Van de Graaf and Myranda Pierson took to the mound for the Hawks in the 8-4 loss and 5-2 victory. 

Humber got into a 5-0 hole within the first two innings and couldn't get their bats to kick in. But once the third inning rolled around right fielder Elisa Gregoris crossed the plate for Humber's first run on a sac fly by shortstop Bonnie Gillingham. Pierson shut the door on Conestoga's offence for the next two innings with help from centre fielder Aaliyah Davidson's range in the field to make back-to-back outs on a pair of deep fly balls.

The bats finally came alive in the top of the fifth when left fielder Natalie Stoberman crushed a triple to straight away centerfield. Then Gillingham stepped into the batter's box and continued her hot streak by scoring Stoberman for her second RBI of the game. From there the Hawks shifted their momentum for the last two innings and resulted in Davidson and Gregoris counting as Humber's last pair of runs in a valiant comeback effort in the 8-4 loss. 

However, Humber's momentum carried into the second game with catcher Lauren Hollidge breaking the ice for the Hawks to tie the game 1-1 in the second inning. The Hawks broke loose in the top of the fourth when they put up four runs starting with a lead-off, two strike single from Stoberman. Gillingham, third base Julia Catalano and first baseman Abbey Hill followed up with two singles and a walk before each of them scored for Humber's big inning. Pierson had a lot of help on defence thanks to a stellar double play between Gillingham and second baseman Jaime Vieira, a crisp relay from left field to third that gunned out Conestoga's runner stretching her hit for a triple and with  Hollidge throwing out two runners on a steal and pick off. Humber spoiled Conestoga's sweep with the 5-2 win. 

Humber will be preparing for a busy weekend consisting of two double-headers at Wildwood Park. The Fanshawe Falcons are in town on Saturday for 1 and 3 p.m. starts and on Sunday the Hawks host the defending champions St. Clair Saints at 1 and 3 p.m. 

The Student Athletic Association will also be celebrating Hawks Nation Spirit Week at Sunday's game with giveaways and a free shuttle to the game that departs from North Campus residence at 12:30 p.m. Check https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/womens-softball-vs-st-clair-sunday-sept-20th-fan-bus-tickets-18610619865 for tickets and more information.