Softball Splits Doubleheader with Manhattan in New Britain
Central Connecticut split a non-conference doubleheader with Manhattan College in New Britain. Central Connecticut moves to 10-19 on the season and Manhattan moves to 8-8 with the split. The Blue Devils were lead by outstanding pitching performances by starters junior Liz Montemurro who went the distance in game one for the win and allowed only one earned run. Sophomore Abby Harpp pitched 11 innings in the loss in game two for Central striking out 10 and allowing only four earned runs.
Central Connecticut split a non-conference doubleheader with Manhattan College in New Britain. Central Connecticut moves to 10-19 on the season and Manhattan moves to 8-8 with the split. The Blue Devils were lead by outstanding pitching performances by starters junior Liz Montemurro who went the distance in game one for the win and allowed only one earned run. Sophomore Abby Harpp pitched 11 innings in the loss in game two for Central striking out 10 and allowing only four earned runs.
In game one the Jaspers stuck first in the top of the second inning scoring sophomore Kelly Murray on a RBI double to right center by junior Monica Evangelista to give Manhattan the 1-0 lead.
The Blue Devils answered in the bottom of the third inning for a run scoring on senior Sara Budrick RBI single to right center scoring junior Kendall Sours to tie score at one run all.
Central Connecticut rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning for three runs. The Blue Devils took advantage of two Manhattan errors to score juniors Kendall Sours and Erin Kelley on a single by sophomore Rebecca Mussatti. Mussatti later scored on a passed ball to make the Central Connecticut lead 4-1.
Central Connecticut finished game one with four runs on five hits and one error to defeat Manhattan who had one run on eight hits and two errors
In game two the Blue Devils were first to tally a run in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI double to left center field by freshman Kelsey Barlow scoring junior Katherine Knowles who reached base on a single.
The Blue Devils Continued the offense in the bottom of the second inning on a two RBI double to deep center field by Mussatti scoring Kelley and Sours. Budrick increased the Blue Devil lead to 4-0 on her RBI double down the left field line to score Mussatti.
In the top of the fifth inning the Jaspers tied the game at four runs on a grand slam home run by junior Jaci Rachey to score Murray and junior Kristina Walraven who both singled to reach base as well as junior Melissa Donnelly who drew a walk to reach.
The Jaspers would need 11 innings to top Central Connecticut when the Jaspers sent eight batters to the plate in the top of the eleventh inning and scored 2 unearned runs to end the game with seven runs on 11 hits and one error to defeat Central Connecticut who had six runs on 11 hits and two errors.
Softball will return to action Monday, April 5 at 1:00 pm when they host a doubleheader with the Saints of Siena in New Britain.