Softball Tops Providence 10-2 in Six Innings
Sophomore Eileen Purcell went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and three RBI.
The Central Connecticut softball team (9-4) closed competition at the USF Spring Break Invitational with a 10-2 win in six innings over Providence College on Sunday. Sophomore Eileen Purcell led the Blue Devil offense, going 2-for-4 at the plate, notching a double and team-high three RBI.
Junior Laura Messina pitched all six innings for CCSU against the Friars (0-12) tallying seven strikeouts and walking two. With the win, Messina improves her record to 8-2.
Central opened the game with a five-run rally that took the Blue Devils all the way through the lineup. Purcell drove in CCSU's first two runs on a single with just one out. She brought sophomore Evie Rentzel and junior Kat Malcolm across the plate, who both singled.
A Friar error crossed senior Tessa Brown to put CCSU up 3-0. Sophomore Hannah Cooper reached on a fielder's choice, notching an RBI as freshman Alexis Debrosse crossed the plate. Lead-off batter Arielle Bruno stepped up to the plate with two outs, singled, and brought in sophomore Kenya McVey for the final run of the inning.
In the top of the third, Providence put its first run on the board on a double and a single before CCSU added two more in the bottom of the fourth to increase the lead to 7-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, CCSU added another run when sophomore Alicia Keough followed a McVey double with a single, plating McVey for an 8-1 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Providence attempted to overcome the deficit, loading the bases with just one out. A single by Kelsi Luttrell scored one before two straight fly-outs to Malcolm in center field sent CCSU back to the plate.
A Brown single scored Bruno followed by a walk-off double from Purcell, who scored Rentzel to give the Blue Devils the eight-run lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Purcell led the offense with three RBI and two hits, including her walk-off double. McVey tallied a double of her own in three at-bats while scoring two runs, and sophomore Katie Schmidt hit her first career triple. Bruno also performed exceptionally well at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs.
The Blue Devils return to action on Tuesday, March 18 against #1 Florida in Gainesville, FL. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
