Softball Drops Pair at #4 Arizona State

The Central Connecticut softball team dropped a doubleheader at defending NCAA Champion Arizona State on Saturday evening.  The Blue Devils (0-3) were eight run ruled by the Sun Devils (13-2) in both games.  Both games lasted five innings with ASU winning 10-0 and 11-1.  Junior Nicole Springer had a big day at the plate with three hits, including a home run in game two.

Game 1

The Blue Devils allowed 10 runs over four innings to the Sun Devils in the opening game of the doubleheader.  Both teams sported pink shirts as part of the Pink Out to raise awareness for breast cancer.

The Blue Devils had three hits in the game, one day after being no-hit in the opener.  Sophomore Arielle Bruno started the game with a single up the middle.  Two batters later junior Nicole Springer followed with a base hit to left field, but the Blue Devils were unable to push a run across in the inning.

Central's third hit came off the bat of senior Sarah Vlahos.  Vlahos beat out an infield single on a ground ball deep into the shortstop-third base hole.

Junior Jordan Tingley took the loss in the circle.  She allowed six hits and nine runs over three innings, but only three of the runs she allowed were earned.

Springer pitched the final inning and surrendered one run.  She allowed one hit and walked a pair of hitters.

The Blue Devils and Sun Devils will play the second game of the doubleheader tonight.

Game 2

The Blue Devils served as the home team in the second game.  Sophomore pitcher Julie Marks allowed a run to the Sun Devils, but did strikeout two batters in her first inning of the season.

Marks blanked ASU in the second inning and Springer answered with a long home run to right center to start the bottom half of the inning.

ASU tacked on single runs in the third and fourth inning to push their lead to 3-1 heading into the top of the fifth.

The Sun Devils scored eight runs on 10 hits in the fifth inning, driving Marks from the game with two outs and two runners on.  Springer entered in relief for the second straight game and recorded the final out.

Marks took the loss to fall to 0-1 on the season.  She allowed 11 runs, 10 earned, on 15 hits and four walks over 4.2 innings of work.

The Blue Devil offense improved for the second straight game, as Central managed five hits.  Springer picked up a single in the bottom of the fourth to improve to 2-for-2 in the game and 3-for-4 on the day.

Senior Rebecca Mussatti and junior Macy Stefanski picked up their first hits of the season in the game.  Vlahos also recorded a hit in the night-cap to finish the day 2-for-4.

The Blue Devils and Sun Devils will finish their four game series tomorrow with a single game beginning at 2 p.m.