Softball Earns Third Straight Sweep Over NEC Opponents

The Central Connecticut State University softball team completed its third sweep in a row over NEC opponents and moved to 14-5 overall and 12-0 in conference play. The 12-0 start surpassed the 2013 team that started 10-0 in conference play. 

GAME ONE

Score: Central Connecticut 4, Bryant 2

Records: CCSU (13-5, 11-0 NEC), Bryant (2-12, 1-9 NEC)

Location: CCSU Softball Field | New Britain, CT

Pitching Records: W: Marks (3-1) | L: Paolantonio (0-2) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• The Bulldogs got on the board first in the top of the second inning, after Megan Marcel hit a RBI single scoring Aleix Hudson.

• Central would not be behind for long, quickly getting the run back in the bottom half of the inning. Senior Bri Walker smacked a line-drive base hit to left field scoring Meg Dugas.

• Freshman Erica Barley of Bryant responded with a solo home run in the top of the third, once again giving the Bulldogs a one run lead.

• The Blue Devils answered with a sacrifice fly from Kaitlin Paterson, scoring catcher Rian Eigenmann. The game was tied a 2-2 after three innings of play.

• After hitting her first career home run yesterday, freshman Brooke Fedison crushed another one to deep right field. The solo shot gave CCSU a 3-2 lead.

• Central tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fifth off a sac fly from Meg Dugas scoring Paterson.

• Junior Kari Marks was steady on the mound all afternoon, allowing two runs and no walks. She struck out a season high 10 batters in the complete game win.

GAME TWO

Score: Central Connecticut 4, Bryant 3

Records: CCSU (14-5, 12-0 NEC), Bryant (2-13, 1-10 NEC)

Location: CCSU Softball Field | New Britain, CT

Pitching Records: W: Antonazzo (3-2) | L: Bodington (2-7) | Sv: Hunte (2)

KEY MOMENTS

• Paige Stringer continued her first inning dominance with a two-run blast to right field. It marked the sixth time Stringer has homered in the first inning of a game this season.

• Bryant was able to get a run back in the top of the third inning after Aleix Hudson hit a RBI double to right center., making the score 2-1.

• Kaitlin Paterson would add another run with a sacrifice fly in the third. She finished with a RBI in both games of the double header.

• In the bottom of the fourth, Fedison got on base with an infield single. With the next batter up, she then stole second base and continued to round the bases on a throwing error by the catcher. The ball scooted all the way towards the center field fence, allowing Fedison to score and Central took a 4-1 lead.

• Bryant would not go away, as the team scored two more runs in the top half of the fifth. The runs came from a two-run home run from Erica Barley.

• After the home run, freshman Anaya Hunte replaced Antonazzo on the mound, and was able to work out of a jam with two outs.

• Hunte earned her second save of the season, going three innings and striking out seven batters. Ashley Antonazzo picked up the win, dealing 4 innings and striking out four.

UP NEXT

Central hosts in state rivals Sacred Heart for double headers on Tuesday and Wednesday. All four games will be streamed on Necfrontrow.com.