MURFREESBORO, NC- The Chowan University softball team fell to 12-18 on season on Friday afternoon after dropping a twinbill against Millersville University.  The Hawks fell to the Marauders 11-1 in the first game and lost 5-4 in the nightcap. 
 
The Marauders jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning in the first game, using two hits and two errors to gain an early advantage.  The Hawks answered back in the home half of the inning when Liz Hipple stole third and scored on a throwing error from the catcher. 
 
Sarah Bertoni shut-out the Hawks for the remainder of the contest, and held Chowan to just three hits over the course of five innings.  The Marauders scored three additional runs in the top of the third, and one in the fourth to build a 7-1 lead over Chowan.  Millersville capitalized on a four run fifth inning after two hits and two Hawks errors allowed the Maurauders to grab the 11-1 decision. 
 
Courtney Baker, Liz Hipple, and Leigh Ward each tallied base hits in the loss.  Alora Lincoln took the loss on the mound for the Hawks, surrendering 11 hits and four earned runs in the contest.   
 
Millersville scored early in the second contest after RBI singles from Cara Nance and Ashley Cantiello to earn a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.  The Hawks answered back in the home half of the third when Lacey Wildeboer's single to shallow right field scored Kelly Hardison to make the score 2-1.
 
The Marauders plated a third run in the top of the fifth when Brianna Andraos laced a double down the left field line.  Down but not out the Hawks answered back in the fifth.  Kelly Hardison started off the frame with a double deep to left center.  Shelby Pendleton knocked in Hardison after triple down the right field line, making the score 3-2. 
 
An RBI groundout from Kayla Brady knotted the game 3-3.  With Leigh Ward on third base and two outs, Liz Hipple got into a run-down between first and second, allowing Ward to score the go-ahead run. 
 
An RBI sacrifice fly from Ginely Ortiz-Marrero tied the game 4-4 in the top of the sixth for the Marauders. Ashley Cantiello pushed Millersville ahead 5-4 in the top of the seventh with an RBI single to left center. 
 
Andraos retired the Hawks in order in the home half of the seventh to secure the 5-4 win for the Marauders.   Andraos earned the win for Millersville, while Courtney Groce took the loss on the mound for Chowan. 
 
Chowan will take the field again on Monday in another nonconference doubleheader at Hawks Field.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm against West Virginia State.