Central's NEC Undefeated Streak Snapped With Pair of Losses to LIU

The Central Connecticut State University softball team suffered a pair of losses to Long Island University on Friday afternoon. The losses snapped a 12 game winning streak and were the first for the Blue Devils in Northeast Conference play. Central now stands at 18-7 overall and 16-2 in NEC games. The Blue Devils combined for nine hits in both games and committed six errors as a team. 

GAME ONE

Score: Central Connecticut 2, Long Island 7

Records: CCSU (18-6, 16-1 NEC), LIU (20-3, 20-3 NEC)

Location: LIU Softball Complex | Brookville, NY

Pitching Records: W: Woodson (10-1) | L: Houghton (4-2) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• Shortstop Carli Backlund quickly put CCSU on the board, with a solo shot to right center field, her seventh home run of the season.

• The Sharks threatened in the bottom half of the first inning, but Kate Houghton was able to extinguish the flame by getting Kiana Cisneros to pop out to left field.

• Central allowed the bases loaded after a walk, error, and infield single in the third inning. LIU was able to push one across after a sacrifice fly from Ciara Granado.

• The Blue Devils were quickly able to respond after Kaitlin Paterson singled to start the inning. Freshman Paige Stringer, who came into the contest just one home run away from tying the CCSU single season record, moved her over to second and Kim Howard knocked home the run with a base hit up the middle. The RBI single gave CCSU a 2-1 advantage.

• The lead would not last however, as LIU scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kate Hinkle and Patricia each earned a run batted in.

• Central surrendered two more runs in the fifth and the seventh, which led to the team's first loss in NEC play this season.

• Kate Houghton was given the loss, allowing three earned runs in 3.1 innings. Anaya Hunte did not have her best performance, giving up four runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings. The Blue Devils committed three errors as a team, tying a season high. 

GAME TWO

Score: Central Connecticut 2, Long Island 9

Records: CCSU (18-7, 16-2 NEC), LIU (21-3, 21-3 NEC)

Location: LIU Softball Complex | Brookville, NY

Pitching Records: W: Irvis (5-0) | L: Whittaker (5-2) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• LIU picked up right where they left off in game one, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning and three in the second inning to take a 5-0 lead.

• Central would not go away easily, getting runners on first and second in the top half of the fourth. Paige Stringer hit a ground ball to the pitcher who threw the ball away and into the outfield. Carli Backlund came around to score and Kaitlin Paterson moved to third. Freshman Brooke Fedison then singled home Paterson, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

• The Sharks continued to dominate offensively, tacking on two more runs in the fourth, giving them a 7-2 edge. LIU then added a few insurance runs, taking a 9-2 lead into the final inning.

• Meg Gorman was able to get into scoring position in the seventh after a walk and a wild pitch. However, LIU retired the next three CCSU batters to end game two.

UP NEXT

CCSU and LIU meet again at 12:00 tomorrow for another doubleheader.