March 11, 2012

Softball Uses 11 Runs to Top Bradley

The Central Connecticut softball team is 4-1 in action at the USF Under Armour Showcase.

The Central Connecticut softball team defeated Bradley, 11-6, in there final game of the USF Under Armour Showcase. The Blue Devils (6-5) finish the event with a 4-1 record. Central will play one more game at the tournament, against the Dutch National Team, but it will only count as an exhibition game.

The Blue Devils plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead. With junior Nicole Springerdrving in the first run on a fielder's chocie and sophomore Tessa Brown delivering a base hit to score the second run.

After allowing a run in the first inning, freshman pitcher Laura Messina rebounded by striking out the side in the top of the second. However, Bradley's three-run third inning gave the Braves a 4-2 lead heading to the bottom half of the frame.

Central responded with three runs in the bottom of the third and three more in the fourth. RBI singles by sophomore Arielle Bruno and junior Macy Stefanski plated a pair of runs in the third. In the fourth, senior Sara Vlahos delivered a two-out RBI single to left.

Stefanski added another RBI single in the Blue Devils' three-run fifth inning. Junior Kelsey Barlow also had a base hit in the rally.

Junior Jordan Tingley earned the victory in relief. She threw a scoreless fourth and then was charged with a run after being knocked out of the game after taking a line drive of of the hand in the fifth inning.

Sophomore Julie Marks came in to replace Tingley and pitched the final three innings without allowing a run. She scattered four hits and struck out one to pick up her first save of the season.

Bruno, Malcolm, Stefanski and Barlow all finished the game with two hits for the Blue Devils.

"I thought our team showed a great deal of maturity in the way they handled themselves this weekend," head coach Jeff Franquet said after the game. "We faced a difficult situation with travel on Thursday, but our kids kept their focus and played well this weekend."

"Today was similar to the other games we played this weekend. We had great defense and timely hitting. Those two factors go a long way toward winning games," Franquet added.

The Blue Devils will wrap-up there weekend with an exhibition game against the Dutch National Team.

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July 3, 2012