Purcell Powers CCSU to Split with RMU on Senior Day

The Central Connecticut softball team split a NEC doubleheader with the Robert Morris Colonials on Senior Day on Sunday afternoon at the CCSU Softball Field. The Colonials took game one 2-0, but the Blue Devils bounced back to take game two 3-0 and earn the split. The two teams entered the day tied for first place in the Northeast Conference standings at 11-1 and now still remain tied for the top spot, respectively, at 12-2. Central moves to 28-9 overall on the year and Robert Morris is now 24-20.

Game #1: CCSU 0, RMU 2

Robert Morris' Tess Apke hit two solo home runs off senior starter Laura Messina to power the Colonials over the Blue Devils in game one.

Apke hit a solo shot to centerfield to lead off the second inning for the first run and then blasted her second solo home run of the game down the left field line in the top of the seventh inning to give RMU the 2-0 victory.

Central was shutout for just the fourth time this season in game one by Colonials ace, Nicole Sleith. Sleith held the Blue Devils to just four hits, all singles, and struck out eight over seven frames to pick up her 20th win of the season for RMU.

The best chance that CCSU had to score came in the bottom of the third inning. Junior Katie Schmidt singled through the right side to lead off the inning and then senior Ashley Black singled two batters later to third base. The tough throw to try and get Black out at first sailed high, allowing Schmidt and Black to move up to second and third with just one out. However, the Blue Devils were unable to capitalize and Sleith retired the next two batters to get out of the jam.

Other than the two solo home runs that Messina surrendered, she went toe-to-toe with Sleith throughout the entire game. The highly touted pitcher's duel was in full effect. Messina held Robert Morris to just four hits in a complete game effort and also struck out eight, but was on the losing end of the decision in game one.

Black led the CCSU offense in the first game finishing 2-for-3. Freshman Brittany Camara and Schmidt logged the other two hits for the Blue Devils.

Game #2: CCSU 3, RMU 0

Messina and the Blue Devils bounced back in the second game of the twin bill to earn a 3-0 victory and series split. Junior Eileen Purcell powered Central to victory at the plate, finishing the second game 2-for-3 with a triple, home run and all three RBI's.

The Blue Devils responded from the tough loss quickly with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Black recorded her third hit of the day with a bunt single down the third base line and then moved all the way up to third after senior Kat Malcolm singled in the shortstop hole and RMU's attempt to throw Malcolm out was off target. This brought up Purcell who drove a pitch from Sleith off the right field wall to bring home Black and Malcolm with a two-RBI triple and give CCSU an early 2-0 advantage.

Purcell was not done, however, and in her next at bat in the bottom of the third inning she launched a two-out, solo home run over the left field wall to push the CCSU lead to 3-0. The home run was the fourth of the season for Purcell and ninth of her career.

The lead proved to be more than enough for Messina in game two as she carried a no hitter into the top of the fifth inning. She finished the game firing a complete game, three hit shutout for CCSU and struck out two to improve her record to 24-5 in the circle on the year. The shutout marks the 15th of the season for the senior.

Central registered six hits in the night cap off Sleith, led by the two-hit, three-RBI performance from Purcell. Camara, Black, Malcolm and junior Evie Rentzel each added singles in the victory in game two.

The Blue Devils will return to action with a mid-week contest at intrastate foe Quinnipiac on Thursday before they enter their final doubleheader of NEC play on the road at LIU Brooklyn on Saturday. Central has clinched a spot in the 2015 NEC Tournament and are guaranteed to be at least the number one or number two seed in the tournament. The NEC Tournament will be hosted by the number one seed on May 7 and 9.