Blue Devils Fall Short to Providence 5-4, Thursday

The Central Connecticut softball team came up short against Big East opponent Providence on Thursday afternoon. The Blue Devils fall to 14-16 overall as the Friars improve to 23-14 on the year. Central hosts Northeast Conference challenger Fairleigh Dickinson in a double-header on Sunday starting at noon. CCSU is currently 1-5 in league play.

The game started off with an early 1-1 tie after both teams scored one run apiece in the second inning. Freshman Alexa Milius hit a double to center field and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Sophomore Kristen Ulmer hit a sacrificed fly ball deep to center sending Milius home for the first Blue Devil RBI of the evening.

Providence responded in the third with a two-run homer by Taylor Stephen. After two hits, Central closed the top of the inning with three straight outs. In the bottom of the inning, CCSU scored two runs of its own to tie the game 3-3. With the bases loaded, Central took advantage of a wild pitch allowing junior Alicia Bertolino to score. Shortly after, freshman Rian Eigenmann showed her base running skills slipping passed the catcher on error by the Friar's third baseman to tie the game.

The teams each scored another run in the fourth inning putting the game tied 4-4 going into the top of the sixth. Emma Lee scored a run off a fly out to center field by Jessica Tomaso giving the Friars a one run advantage. 

Central allowed no hits by Providence in the seventh, but couldn't capitalize at bat and fell to the Friars 5-4. Freshman Carley Stoker pitched all seven innings for the Blue Devils falling to a 6-6 record on the season.