Softball Sweeps Doubleheader Against the Mount in NEC Opener

The Central Connecticut softball team swept a doubleheader at home over Mount St. Mary's on Saturday afternoon in New Britain taking game one, 7-2, before topping the Mountaineers, 6-1, in game two. It marked the opening weekend of Northeast Conference play for the Blue Devils as weather forced postponements in CCSU's first two conference weekends. With the wins the Blue Devils improve to 12-16-1 overall on the season and start 2-0 in NEC play. The Mount slides to 10-26 overall on the year and 2-4 in league play.

Senior Eileen Purcell powered the Blue Devils offense on the day finishing a combined 5-for-8 with three runs scored over the two games, while freshman Kerri Dadalski drove in 5 RBI for Central in the pair of victories.

The Blue Devils fell behind 1-0 in game one before rebounding with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead.  Dadalski plated both runners with a double to left center to give the Blue Devils their first lead of the afternoon.

The Mount answered with a run in the top of the fifth to tie the game, 2-2.  But the Blue Devils scored twice in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good, 4-2.  Purcell doubled to lead off the inning and then went to third on a throwing error on a ball hit by senior Evie Rentzel.  With one out sophomore Tori Constantin's sac fly scored the first run, and a double to left center from sophomore Brittany Camara scored the second. 

Three more runs in the sixth gave the Blue Devils a 7-2 lead.  Sophomore Alexis Debrosse singled in a run and then Constantin drove in two more with a double to right center.  She ended game one with three RBI.

Sophomore Emily Sargent got the win in game one pitching all seven innings allowing nine hits, two runs and posting six strike outs.  She is now 7-6 on the season.

In game two freshman righty Alex Casanas posted her fifth win of the season allowing only five hits and one run while striking out four Mount St. Mary's batters. 

The Blue Devils took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI fielder's choice from Debrosse.  After the Mount tied the game 1-1 in the top of the third, the Blue Devils answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.  Debrosse tripled to right field to drive in Purcell.

A four-run fifth inning gave the Blue Devils the 6-1 lead.  Dadalski tripled to right field with bases loaded and scored all three runners.  She scored on an RBI single from senior Katie Schmidt.

Central, now 2-0 in the NEC, is back in action on Sunday hosting Wagner at 12 noon on the CCSU Softball Field.