MELBOURNE, Fla. – Hamilton College won both its non-conference games on Sunday, March 16 at USSSA Space Coast Complex. The Continentals defeated the Western Connecticut State University Wolves 6-1 in the first game and racked up 13 hits against Rutgers University-Newark in a 9-0 shutout that was stopped after the sixth inning due to the eight-run mercy rule. 
 

Next Game

• Hamilton (2-0 overall) faces Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Monday, March 17 at 2:30 p.m. and WestConn at 4:45 p.m. at USSSA Space Coast Complex. 

Western Connecticut St.

 

How It Happened

• After retiring the side in order, Hamilton took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, thanks to a two-run homer by Alexis Mayer '26 that sailed over the fence in left-center field.
• Hamilton scored two more runs in the third inning. Jordan Merklin '26 drew a lead-off walk, stole second and advanced to third on an infield groundout. Mayer came back to the plate and ripped a double to left that scored Merklin. Charlie Quinn '25 kept the offense rolling with a single to the right side that drove in another run.
• The Continentals added an unearned run in the fourth and extended their lead to 5-0.
• WestConn scored its lone run in the top half of the fifth. 
• Merklin scored Hamilton's sixth and final run in the sixth inning, successfully beating a rundown and stealing home. 

Notes

• Mayer led the team with three runs batted in, highlighted by her fifth career home run. She also contributed two walks and two stolen bases.
• Alison Zorn '26 finished with two singles, one walk and one stolen base. 
• Merklin contributed across the board as she scored twice, collected one hit, drew two walks, and stole a career-high four bases.
• Miranda Mosqueda '28 tallied her first collegiate hit. 
• Emma Tansky '25 delivered a strong all-around performance at the plate and in the circle. Tansky recorded a hit, stole a base, and allowed no runs on two hits while striking out eight over four innings.
• Aubrey Purvis '27 surrendered one run on two hits and issued two walks in three innings for her first career save.
• WestConn (2-1) is a member of the Little East Conference. 

Rutgers-Newark

 

How It Happened

• After a scoreless first two innings, Hamilton put up two runs in the top of the third on three hits. Yael Everett '28 led off with a one-out double to right center and scored on a deep triple to left center by Mayer. With two outs, Quinn delivered a line-drive single through the left side that allowed Mayer to cross the plate.
• Hamilton extended its lead in the fifth to 4-0 with two more runs. Mayer sparked the offense with a single to the gap in left center, followed by Zorn's hard-hit double down the right field line that scored Mayer. Gaby Guerra '27 drove in Zorn with an infield single to second base.
• The Continentals erupted for five runs in the sixth inning as they capitalized on three hits, four walks and one fielding error. Kelsey Vadnais '28 led off with a single to center and was replaced by pinch-runner Sofia Santana '26, who stole second and advanced to third on an infield groundout. Merklin drew the first walk of the inning and, after stealing second, gave the Continentals two runners in scoring position. Mayer drove in both with a hard-hit double to left field and Quinn followed with a single to left that brought Mayer across the plate. Guerra drew a two-out walk and Hamilton loaded the bases when Julia Hacker '27 reached on an error. Lydia Mirabito '26 and Vadnais worked the count for consecutive walks that forced in the Continentals' final two runs.
• Everett came in to relieve Teagan Graham '25 in the circle, recording an assist on a groundout before striking out the final two batters to seal the victory.

Notes

• With 87 career wins, Head Coach Stephanie Hartquist is the all-time winningest coach in team history.
• Mayer drove in a team-best three runs on three hits, including a triple, double and a single. 
• Quinn recorded her 100th career hit and drove in two runs.
• Guerra's two singles gave her a multi-hit game for the second time at Hamilton.
• Gabby Garrison '27 belted two hits for her sixth multi-hit game.
• Zorn ripped her 17th career double. 
• Everrett registered her first collegiate hit.
• Vadnais notched her first career hit. 
• Merklin swiped her fifth base of the season.
• Graham earned her first win of the season as she allowed three hits, walked one batter, and struck out five over five innings of work.
• Rutgers-Newark, which is a New Jersey Athletic Conference member, dipped to 0-2 overall. 
• Kristin Kloss led Rutgers with two hits.