Softball Tops Holy Cross with Six-Run Rally in Seventh
Senior Julie Marks earns her second win of the season over the Crusaders.
The Central Connecticut softball team overcame a 4-2 deficit with a six-run rally in the seventh inning to top the Holy Cross Crusaders 8-4 on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Julie Marks posted her second win of the season with the victory, elevating CCSU's record to 16-11 (4-2 NEC) on the season.
Sophomore Sarah Gaalswijk started in the circle for CCSU. She pitched 2.1 innings, allowing six hits and two runs while posting two strikeouts before being relieved by Marks. Marks pitched 4.2 innings to earn the win. She allowed five hits and two runs, one earned, while striking out one. Her record improves to 2-3 on the season.
The Blue Devils got off to a strong start in the second meeting of the season against the Crusaders (5-15). With just one out in the top of the first, back-to-back doubles from junior Kat Malcolm and sophomore Evie Rentzel scored CCSU's first run.
In the top of the third, the Blue Devils loaded the bases on a double by Bruno, a Malcolm walk and a single from freshman Alexis Debrosse. Senior Tessa Brown drew a walk to plate Bruno and put CCSU up by two.
Bruno's double in the third marks the 32nd of her career, breaking her three-way tie for second all-time in the CCSU career record book.
Holy Cross loaded the bases in the bottom of the third and tied it up 2-2 before adding another in the bottom of the fourth, breaking the tie and taking the lead 3-2.
The Crusaders scored another in the bottom of the sixth to increase their lead to two before Central broke the game open with a six-run rally in the top of the seventh.
The Blue Devils led off the inning at the top of the order and scored six runs on four hits including singles from Rentzel, Debrosse and sophomore Hannah Cooper as well as a double from freshman Sami Duffy, the first extra-base hit of her career.
Central tallied 10 hits on the day compared to 11 for Holy Cross. Both squads posted a fielding error apiece.
Four Blue Devils doubled on the day: Bruno, Malcolm, Rentzel and Duffy.
Malcolm led the Blue Devil offense going 2-for-3 at the plate while also scoring two runs. Rentzel, Debrosse and Duffy each tallied two hits while Brown and Duffy drove in two RBI each. Bruno and Cooper each added one hit to CCSU's total for the day.
The Crusaders sent three pitchers to the circle with Tori Cheske taking the loss (0-3).
The Blue Devils return to action tomorrow, Thursday, April 10, at home when they take on the UMass-Lowell River Hawks in a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.
