Softball Drops Game One to Merrimack

Central Connecticut State softball dropped its Saturday matchup with Merrimack, falling to Warriors 7-4.

GAME 1 INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE CCSU 4 Merrimack 7
RECORDS CCSU (7-40, 3-19 NEC) Merrimack (13-27, 9-13 NEC)
LOCATION CCSU Softball Field

KEY MOMENTS

• Merrimack's bats were clicking early in Saturday's game. After a leadoff double to the gap in centerfield, the Warriors drove in the first run of the game on another double that pinned itself into the corner in left field. Merrimack hit another single that advanced the runner up to third, but Kaylee Whittaker was able to force two quick pop ups to end the top of the first.
• Bri Walker led off the bottom of the second inning with a hard hit single that ripped through the pitcher's circle. Meg Dugas advanced her along a single down the right field line. A wild pitch advanced them to second and third before Kristin Rose loaded up the bases by way of the walk. The Warriors were able to escape the jam with a strikeout, however, keeping them in the lead at 1-0.
• The Warriors hit back-to-back singles to lead off the third inning. A dropped fly ball in the outfield got another runner on board to load the bases. Whittaker bobbled a short pop up after this, but was able to turn the error into a smart double play. Merrimack was able to sneak a run across after this, however, with a runner stealing home to make it 2-0.
• Paige Stringer drew a walk to start off the bottom of the third inning and was quickly moved along to second by a Kim Howard single. Bri Walker advanced the duo into scoring position, but the Blue Devils were unable to get them across.
• Katie Master led off the bottom of the fourth with a walk. Kristin Rose used some burner wheels down the first baseline to beat out the Merrimack throw, putting two on with one out for Molly Bruyns. Bruyns smacked a ball out the deep part of center field, leaving enough time for Master to score the Blue Devils' first run of the day. Brooke Fedison hit a clutch triple after this that trickled down the left field line, quickly making it a 2-2 ball game. Paige Stringer connected on a ball that stayed in the infield, but Stringer was able to beat out the throw and drive in Fedison, giving CCSU its first lead of the afternoon.
• After the enthralling comeback from CCSU in the bottom of the fourth inning, Merrimack's bats answered right back in the top of the fifth. Two arduous errors helped Merrimack get three runs across in the fifth, retaking a 5-3 lead over CCSU. 
• Master and Bruyns started off the bottom of the sixth inning with back-to-back walks, forcing Merrimack to pull its starter. The Warriors' reliever hung one for Fedison, who smacked it out to the gap in centerfield to load up the bases. 
• The Warriors added on two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning.
• Down to their final three outs, Gorman and Dugas each hit singles in the bottom of the seventh inning to try and spark another rally. Rose sent a double down the left field line that scored one run, but a great defensive play in the outfield put the game away.

NOTES

• This is the Blue Devils' final series of the season.

UP NEXT...

Due to weather, the Blue Devils will play a doubleheader against Merrimack tomorrow at 12 and 2 p.m. CCSU will also be honoring its four seniors before the start of the doubleheader.