Softball Splits Doubleheader with URI

The Central Connecticut softball team split a doubleheader with the University of Rhode Island on Tuesday afternoon. The Blue Devils dropped the opening game 6-4 before rebounding for a 12-7 comeback victory in game two. Central was led by senior Amanda Dilworth who went three-for-three with three RBIs in game two. The split puts the Blue Devils record at 19-12-1 on the season.

Game One

The Rams got on the scoreboard first with a first inning homerun off sophomore Jordan Tingley. The blast was hit by the number three batter, after Tingley had plunked the second batter of the game.

Central got their first hit in the top of the second inning when senior Amanda Dilworth beat out a bunt. The Blue Devils were unable to capitalize on the one out hit. In the third inning freshman Arielle Bruno and junior Becca Mussatti walked, but again Central was unable to score.

Rhode Island added another run in the bottom of the third inning. This time on a solo homerun by Brittney Julich, that gave the Rams a 3-0 lead.

The Blue Devils tied the game in the top of the fourth inning with three runs on two hits. With one out Dilworth walked and than a batter latter freshman Stephanie Chotkevys walked. Sophomore Macy Stefanski delivered a two run double to left center and then pinch hitter sophomore

Kate Hoffman singled her home to tie the game.

Tingley surrendered the lead in the fifth inning on a three run homerun by Fallon Scorpio. That blast made it a 6-3 game.

The Blue Devils threatened in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but they could only manage one run.

Tingley took the loss falling to 7-5 on the season. She went 4.1 innings and allowed six runs on seven hits thanks to a pair of Ram homeruns. Freshman Julie Marks pitched the final inning an two thirds. She struck out two.

Mussatti, Dilworth, Stefanski and Hoffman each had a hit for the Blue Devils. Stefanski drove in a pair of runs while Hoffman and senior Kat Knowles each drove in one.

Game Two

The Rams got to Blue Devil starter Liz Montemurro for a single unearned run in the bottom of the first inning. A runner reached on an error with two outs and then the next batter doubled to center scoring the runner from first base.

Central answered in the top of the second inning when Dilworth led off with a homerun to deep centerfield.

Dilworth sparked the offense again in the fourth inning this time with a leadoff walk. Freshman Tessa Brown sacrificed Dilworth to second with one out. Hoffman and Stefanski then followed with back to back doubles giving the Blue Devils a 3-1 lead heading to the bottom of the inning.

Rhode Island scored five runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning on four hits and a Blue Devil error. A one out single was followed by a walk and a ground out setting up second and third two outs. Back-to-back singles plated a pair of runs and then a double drove in two more. The final run was scored on an error by the Brown at first base.

Mussatti and Knowles each singled to lead off the inning. Barlow grounded out to score Mussatti and then Dilworth doubled in Knowles cutting the lead to 6-5. Following a single by Brown, Dilworth scored on an RBI ground out by Hoffman tying the game at 6-6.

After the Rams added a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Blue Devils tied the score again on a solo homerun by Knowles.

The Blue Devils finally broke it open with five runs on four hits in the seventh inning. The big knock came off the bat of Dilworth who hit a two run homerun to left center.

Marks earned the victory, improving to 5-3 on the season. Dilworth finished the day four-for-five with two homeruns and three RBIs.

The 19 wins this season matches the Blue Devils win total from last year.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday at Wagner, first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.