Softball Drops Two Tough Games on the Road Wednesday

The Central Connecticut softball team dropped a pair of tough games on the road to Stony Brook on Wednesday afternoon in Stony Brook, NY. The Seawolves took the first game 1-0 before topping CCSU 7-6 in the second game. With the setbacks Central falls to 11-7 overall on the season. Stony Brook improves to 9-8 with the victories.

Game #1 - CCSU 0, SBU 1

The Blue Devils could only muster three hits off Stony Brook starter Jane Sallen in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, falling to the Seawolves 1-0 in a classic pitcher's duel. Both teams combined for only seven total hits in the opening game.

The Seawolves scored the lone run in the bottom of the first inning on a solo home run from center fielder Shayla Giosia. The home run was the fifth of the season for Giosia and would prove to be the game-winner.

NEC Pitcher of the Week, senior Laura Messina, was excellent in the circle once again for CCSU, but was on the wrong side of the decision column at the end of the day following the home run. Messina twirled a complete game, her 10th of the season, allowed four hits and struck out three in the loss. She is now 8-3 on the year.

Freshman Brittany Camara was the only bright spot in the game offensively for Central. Camara had two of the three CCSU hits, both singles, and also stole a base. Junior Hannah Cooper had the other hit in the game, also a single.

Game #2 - CCSU 6, SBU 7

Stony Brook scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk-off on the Blue Devils 7-6 in the nightcap on Wednesday. Central rallied back from a 5-0 deficit with six runs in the top of the sixth inning, but couldn't hold on for the victory to drop to 11-7 overall on the season.

The Seawolves got on the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the fourth inning on a two-run home run by Bria Green off CCSU starter Laura Messina.

Stony Brook added three more runs in the next inning to extend their lead to 5-0 following another home run. The three-run blast, this time by Melissa Phelan, gave Stony Brook the early advantage.

The Blue Devils would respond, however, and in a big way. CCSU answered with six runs in the top of the sixth, doing most of the damage with two outs, to take a 6-5 lead.

Freshman Tori Constantin drove in the first run with a RBI single through the left side with the bases loaded to plate junior Eileen Purcell.

Following a pop out, Central would then score five runs on three-straight hits with two outs to take the lead.

With the bases still loaded, junior Katie Schmidt doubled to left field to bring around sophomore Sami Duffy and junior Evie Rentzel, making it 5-3. Freshman Brittany Camara then singled through the right side to bring home junior Brittany Ernst. The Blue Devils then captured the lead following a two-RBI double to right center by senior Ashley Black, scoring Camara and Schmidt.

The Seawolves would answer though and in heartbreaking fashion. In the bottom of the seventh inning and two outs, Stony Brook loaded the bases following a pair of walks from freshman reliever Emily Sargent who came on in relief of Messina in the fifth inning. Chelsea Evans then delivered the crushing blow with a double to right center to score two runs and earn the walk-off victory, 7-6.

Sargent was dealt the loss pitching the final two innings for CCSU. She struck out one, but surrendered two runs on two hits and three walks to fall to 3-4 on the year. Messina pitched the first 4.2 innings, striking out six and allowing five runs on six hits and three walks.

Schmidt had a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI's and a run scored to lead the Blue Devils offensively in game two. Black finished 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI's.

The Blue Devils will return to action as they begin Northeast Conference play on Saturday with a doubleheader at LIU Brooklyn. They will then return home for another NEC bought and doubleheader against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday. Saturday's contests will begin at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and first pitch for Sunday's games are scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.