Mussatti, Messina Power Blue Devils

The Central Connecticut softball team defeated Hampton behind a strong pitching performance by freshman Laura Messina and a three hit game from senior Rebecca Mussatti.  The Blue Devils (8-6) scored a single run in the seventh inning, which proved to be the difference as the Lady Pirates (9-14) scored a pair in the bottom of the frame.

The Blue Devils started the scoring with a single run in the top of the third.  Senior Sarah Vlahos singled up the middle to start the inning and then came around to score on a base hit by Mussatti.  Junior Nicole Springer also had a hit in the frame.

Central tacked on an additional run in the fifth.  With two outs, following a triple by Mussatti, freshman Kat Malcolm delivered an RBI single to left field.

Mussatti scored the Blue Devils third run of the game in the top of the seventh.  She picked up her third hit of the day and then scored on an RBI single by junior Kelsey Barlow.

Messina extended her streak of scoreless innings to 13 by carrying a shutout into the seventh inning.  Hampton scored a pair of runs in the last inning and a throwing error allowed the tying run to advance to third with only one out.  Messina pitched out of the jam inducing a ground ball back to the mound and then catching the runner trying to steal home.

She struck out seven and walked one on the way to her fifth victory of the season.  She is 5-0 over her last seven games.  With only one earned run, Messina's ERA drops to 2.92 in the year.

Mussatti's three hits on the day run her total to seven over the last three games.  She is hitting .700 on the week with a double, two RBI and a pair of triples.

"Becca's bat has really propelled the offense over the last two days and Laura delivered in the circle for us again," said head coach Jeff Franquet.  "Pitching and timely hitting have been a big advantage for us over the last ten games."

The Blue Devils have won eight of their last 10 games after starting the season 0-4.  The Blue Devils will play a pair of games on Saturday against Maryland Eastern Shore.