Hackenson tosses no-hitter in season opener

PAXTON, Mass. (03.07.11) – Senior Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, Mass.) got the 2011 season off on the right foot, tossing a no-hitter during the Anna Maria College softball team's season opener versus Elms College at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

Hackenson struck out seven batters over seven innings of work, allowing two unearned runs in the process. On offense, the AMCATS had four different players collect two hits apiece, including senior Sarah Boyda (Oxford, Mass.), junior Mary Moroski (Worcester, Mass.), senior Jill Hurley (Worcester, Mass.), and freshman Kayla Cummings (Auburn, Maine). Both of Hurley's hits went for extra bases, while sophomore Tabitha Ruggieri (Sturbridge, Mass.) added a single, a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored in the win.

The AMCATS jumped on the board with two runs in the first, including an RBI single from senior Allyssa Boykin (Worcester, Mass.) plating Moroski.

After adding a run in the third inning, the AMCATS put the game away with three more in the sixth, getting RBI singles from both Boyda and Cummings.

Anna Maria will play 10 games down in Florida before returning home to face WPI on 19^thduring a road doubleheader.