BEL AIR, Md. – The Harford softball team captured their first win of the season Sunday, braving the elements to split a doubleheader with Cayuga. Harford (1-9) lost game one 9-8 but bounced back to win game two 16-8.
 
Harford 8, Cayuga 9 (8)
The Fighting Owls scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game and waited through a rain delay that lasted nearly two hours, only to fall in the eighth inning for the second time in five days. Cayuga (1-3) sacrificed the placed runner to third and cashed in with a two out bunt single by Miranda McGloon to push across the eventual game-winning run.
 
Harford surrendered eight runs unanswered, including six runs in the fifth inning, to fall behind 8-2. They looked to be heading for another loss but were able to rally in the bottom of the seventh and tie the game, scoring six runs on four hits, a walk and an error. They also took advantage of three wild pitches in the frame as well as some misplayed balls put in play.
 
They would regret not driving in the winning run, which they had on third base. With rain falling hard, the umpires stopped play at the end of the seventh inning, deeming the field to be unsafe to play on. With no tarp to cover the field and the rain continuing to fall, the game was moved to the turf baseball field. Between the field being prepared for softball play and the players being afforded time to warmup and get used to the turf, the game was delayed just under two hours.
 
Harford 16, Cayuga 8
For all the adversity Harford has faced in the early going this season, they left very little doubt in game two that they would get their first win. They never trailed and scored at least a run in every inning.
 
Emily Wikane got the Fighting Owls off and running in the first inning with a three-run inside the park home run. Her fly ball landed just beyond the baseball infield in left centerfield and rolled all the way to the 350-foot sign on the wall, allowing her to sprint around the bases.
 

Wikane came through in the second inning to blow the game open. With runners on first and second, she hit a single to left field that went between the left fielder's legs and rolled to the blue monster. Wikane circled the pillows again, scoring three runs to put Harford ahead 9-3. They scored six runs in the second, all unearned, on three hits, a walk and a hit by pitch. They also took advantage of three errors and two wild pitches.
 
Cayuga threatened to comeback with a five run fourth inning to pull the score within two runs at 10-8. But Harford responded like a team on a mission with three runs in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the fifth to end the game.
 
Amanda Hildebrandt went 3-for-4 in the game with a run batted in, a stolen base and three runs scored. She also pitched the game, earning her first collegiate win.
 
Harford will be back in action on when they host Southern Maryland for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.