Softball Blanks Hartford Twice Wednesday

Sophomore Emily Sargent and freshman Alex Casanas both tossed three-hitters as the Central Connecticut softball team shutout the Hartford Hawks 9-0 and 8-0 to sweep a doubleheader on the road on Wednesday. Offensively, the Blue Devils combined for 24 hits over the two games and were led by senior Evie Rentzel and sophomore Tori Constantin who both finished the day 4-for-6.

The victories improve Central's record to 3-6 overall on the season, while the Hawks fall to 1-12 on the year. The Blue Devils will be back in action next this weekend as they travel to Elon, NC to compete in the Elon Softball Tournament. They will open up play Friday, Mar. 11 against Oakland at 4 p.m.

Game 1

Sargent spun a three-hit shutout and the Blue Devils pounded out a season-high 14 hits on their way to a five-inning 9-0 victory over Hartford in game one on Wednesday.

Central broke the game wide open with a seven-run second inning and would never look back. They opened the top of the second with three straight singles to push across the first run of the game. Senior Hannah Cooper's single brought home Rentzel to give CCSU an early 1-0 edge.

Following another single by sophomore Brittany Camara to load the bases, a Hartford fielding error plated the second run. Two batters later sophomore Brittany McNulla delivered the knockout blow with a two-RBI double down the right field line to make it 4-0 Blue Devils.

Sophomore Alexis Debrosse continued to pour it on following with a RBI single and another CCSU run came around after another Hartford miscue on the play to make it 6-0. Constantin then capped the scoring with a RBI single through the left side as the Blue Devils sent 12 batters to the plate in the second inning.

Central kept its foot on the pedal and tacked on two more runs in the top of the third inning to go up 9-0 and sit within the mercy rule. Camara and senior Katie Schmidt led off the frame with back-to-back singles and freshman Kaitlin Paterson brought them home with a two-RBI double to left-center field.

The offensive outburst was more than enough for Sargent who was brilliant in the circle for the Blue Devils. She twirled five innings, allowing just three hits and struck out five without issuing a walk to secure the 9-0 shutout victory. She faced just two batters over the minimum, while firing 43 strikes in 59 pitches and didn't allow a Hartford runner past second base. The victory improves her record to 2-1 on the season.

Constantin finished game one 3-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. McNulla, Debrosse, Camara and Schmidt also logged multi-hit games in the win. McNulla and Paterson each had two RBI.

Game 2

Casanas followed up Sargent with a three-hit shutout of her own and the Blue Devils kept the bats hot registering 10 more hits in game two to complete the sweep over Hartford with an 8-0 victory in the second game of the twin bill on Wednesday.

Central cracked the scoreboard again in the second inning, but this time with just one run. A pair of singles by Rentzel and Constantin followed by a Cooper walk loaded the bases full of Blue Devils with one out. Camara then delivered with a single up the middle to drive home Rentzel and make it 1-0 CCSU.

The Blue Devils then broke the game open in the top of the fifth inning batting through the order and scoring four runs to take a 5-0 lead.

A McNulla single sandwiched between a pair of walks loaded the bases full of Blue Devils once again before a wild pitch would score the first run of the inning to make it 2-0. Another walk reloaded the bases and Rentzel followed with a RBI single to put CCSU up 3-0. Constantin followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home the fourth run of the game and two batters later a Camara RBI single to center field gave Central a 5-0 edge.

The Blue Devils then added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to secure the 8-0 victory. A Hartford fielding error allowed Rentzel to score the first run of the frame after she singled to lead off the inning, her third hit of the game. Paterson then followed with another two-RBI double to put the game out of reach for the 8-0 final decision.

Casanas was also magnificent in the circle for the Blue Devils on Wednesday as she threw a three-hit shutout of her own to pick up her first collegiate victory. The right-handed rookie hurler tossed seven innings, giving up the three hits and struck out three without allowing a walk. She also just faced two batters over the minimum and retired the first 13 batters she faced in order. She is now 1-5 in the circle on the season.

Rentzel led the way offensively in game two going 3-for-3 with a RBI and three runs scored. McNulla and Camara also logged multi-hit game with two singles a piece, while Camara and Paterson both finished with a pair of RBI, respectfully.

The CCSU softball team will be back in action next this weekend as they travel to Elon, NC to compete in the Elon Softball Tournament. They will open up play Friday, Mar. 11 against Oakland at 4 p.m.