Softball Splits with Robert Morris

The Central Connecticut softball team split a doubleheader with Robert Morris University on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Devils dropped the opening game, but rebounded to win the second one on a three RBI double by sophomore Kate Hoffman. Central improves to 18-11-1 on the season and 6-2 in Northeast Conference action.

Game One

The Blue Devils dropped the first game 5-0. The Colonials used four Blue Devil errors to score four runs in the top of the second inning. Starting pitcher Jordan Tingley went six innings and allowed five runs, but only one earned.

The Blue Devils managed only two hits in the opening game as the Colonials starting pitcher struck out 11 Central hitters over seven innings.

Senior Amanda Dilworth and freshman Tessa Brown had the hits for the Blue Devils. Freshman Arielle Bruno went hitless in the game. The 0-for-3 performance snapped her 15 game hitting streak.

The loss dropped Tingley to 7-4 on the season.

Game Two

The Blue Devils and Colonials were locked up in a pitcher's duel deep into the second game, but senior Elizabeth Montemurro outlasted her counterpart and finished off a complete game victory. The Blue Devils took the game 4-2, as Hoffman cleared the bases with a double in the sixth inning to put her team ahead.

The Colonials got an early lead by stringing together three first inning hits to take a 1-0 lead. Montemurro settled down after that and held Robert Morris scoreless over the next five innings.

The Blue Devils got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore Kelsey Barlow led off the inning with a double and then after a sacrifice bunt by Dilworth, Barlow was able to score on a ground ball by Brown.

The game was tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Blue Devils loaded the bases. Senior Kat Knowles hit a leadoff double and then Barlow was walked setting up first and second. Dilworth reached on an error loading the bases. Coach Franquet called on Hoffman as a pinch hitter and she delivered with a bases clearing double. The double gave the Blue Devils 4-1 lead heading into the seventh.

Montemurro allowed a second run in the seventh on a solo homerun, but she struck out two batters and got a ground ball to get out of the inning and earn the victory. Montemurro improves to 7-3 on the season with the victory. She struck out five over seven innings and allowed only six hits.

The Blue Devils return to action on Tuesday as they visit the University of Rhode Island.