Blue Devils Drop Pair of 3-0 Games at Sacred Heart

Central Connecticut (6-15, 2-2) lost a pair of 3-0 decisions at Sacred Heart (7-14, 4-0) in Northeast Conference action this afternoon. Freshman Kelli Griffiths went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles in the opener. Junior Tiffany Erickson also had two hits in game one. Senior Rachel Brenneman and junior Sara Budrick accounted for the only two Blue Devil hits in game two.

In game one, Central Connecticut had its best scoring opportunity during the top of the second inning. Sophomore Erica Koehler singled and then advanced to third on the first of Griffiths' two doubles. Junior Sara Budrick hit a fly ball for the first out, and Koehler was thrown out at home for out number two. Griffiths, who advanced on the play, was left stranded on third.

Sacred Heart provided all the offense it would need in the bottom half of the second. Sophomore Courtney Lee started a string of four Pioneer hits with a triple. She came in on a single by senior Becky Harvey. Another RBI single and a fielder's choice gave SHU a 3-0 lead.

Central Connecticut advanced a runner past second only once more following the second inning.

Sophomore Elizabeth Montemurro took the loss on the mound for the Blue Devils. She is now 4-6 on the season. Sophomore Jen Russell allowed five hits while striking out four in the complete game shutout win. She is now 5-8 on the year. Harvey had two hits to lead the Pioneer offense.

The Blue Devils managed just two hits against the Sacred Heart pitchers in game two. Budrick singled to lead off the fifth inning for CCSU, but a double play ended any threat of a Blue Devil run. Brenneman had a lead off single in the sixth. Central Connecticut's best chance, however, came in the seventh inning.

Junior Jaclyn Logan walked to lead things off in CCSU's final inning at the plate. After a fielder's choice replaced Logan with sophomore Katherine Knowles, Budrick was hit by a pitch. Russell, who relieved freshman starter Liz Tsipouras with one out and the two on, induced a game-ending double play.

Sacred Heart, meanwhile, scored runs in the first, second and fifth innings.

Tsipouras allowed the two hits and struck out three in 6.1 innings. She is 2-6 on the year. Russell collected her second save. Brenneman allowed seven hits and three runs, two of which were earned, in the loss. She dropped to 2-9 on the season.

Central Connecticut will play again tomorrow afternoon. The Blue Devils are hosting Bryant in a non-conference doubleheader at Saint Joseph College. Game one is slated to start at 3 p.m.