Softball Splits NEC Doubleheader at Robert Morris on Wednesday Afternoon
The CCSU softball team split a doubleheader on the road at Robert Morris on Wednesday afternoon.
The Central Connecticut softball team earned a series split after defeating the Robert Morris Colonials 6-4 in game two on Wednesday afternoon in Moon Township, PA. The Blue Devils lost game one by a score of 8-3. With the split the Blue Devils move to 17-25-1 overall on the season and 6-8 in Northeast Conference play, while the Colonials go to 18-31 overall and 8-6 in the league.
Game 1 - CCSU 3, RMU 8
The Blue Devils jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over Robert Morris, but the Colonials scored eight unanswered runs, including four in the bottom of the sixth inning, to secure an 8-3 victory in game one on Wednesday afternoon.
Central opened the scoring and plated all three of its runs in the top of the first inning. Back-to-back one-out singles by sophomore Brittany Camara and senior Eileen Purcell started things off before senior Evie Rentzel and sophomore Alexis Debrosse followed with walks to force home the first run of the game and make it 1-0 Blue Devils.
Sophomore Tori Constantin then followed with a two-RBI single up the middle to drive in Purcell and Rentzel to build the early 3-0 advantage.
The Colonials would answer though with a run in the bottom half of the inning on a RBI double by Haileigh Stocks to cut CCSU's lead to 3-1 after one inning of play. Stocks then tied the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the third inning with a two-run home run over the left-center field fence.
Robert Morris then claimed the lead for good with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. RMU's Jordan Gurganus laced a single through the right side to make it 4-3 and drive in what would be the game-winning run.
The Colonials would go on to score four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to separate themselves from the Blue Devils and secure an 8-3 victory. Kristen Gabelt delivered the knockout blow with a two-run home run over the left-center field wall to make it 8-3.
Sophomore Emily Sargent was dealt the loss inside the circle for CCSU. She was tagged for eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits and two walks while striking out a pair. The loss evens her record on the season at 11-11.
Kaitlin Ellzy picked up the win for Robert Morris improving her record to 11-12 on the year. She allowed three earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out eight Blue Devils.
Camara led the Blue Devils at the plate in game one finishing 3-for-4 with three singles and a run scored. Constantin also logged a multi-hit performance in game one going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Three Colonials recorded multi-hit efforts in the win led by Gurganus who went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
Game 2 - CCSU 6, RMU 4
The Blue Devils once again jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over the Colonials in game two, but this time they held off Robert Morris and claimed a 6-4 win in the tail end of the twin bill to earn a series split.
In almost a repeat of game one, the Blue Devils pushed across three runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead. Camara and Purcell once again started things off with hits smacking a double and single, respectively, to open the game. Rentzel then drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 before sophomore Kerri Dadalski launched a two-run home run over the left-center field fence to push the lead to 3-0. The home run was the third of the season for Dadalski.
Robert Morris and Haileigh Stocks would respond for the Colonials as Stocks ripped a two-RBI double up the middle in the bottom of the third inning to cut the CCSU lead to 3-2. It marked the fourth hit and fifth RBI for Stocks against the Blue Devils on the day.
Central would answer right back though and got one of the runs back off the bat of Debrosse. Debrosse sent a 2-1 pitch deep over the center field fence for a solo home run to make it 4-2 CCSU. The home run was the fourth of the season for the sophomore.
The Blue Devils then scored a pair of insurance runs in the top of the fifth inning to build a 6-2 lead. A RBI double to left-center field by Purcell followed by a RBI single up the middle by Rentzel capped the scoring for the Blue Devils.
RMU would make things interesting and cut the lead to 6-4 after a two-run home run by Gablet in the bottom of the fifth inning, but Sargent came on in relief and recorded the final nine outs without allowing a run to earn her first save of the season.
Freshman Alex Casanas logged the win spinning the first 4.0 innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out one. She improves to 6-14 on the season with the victory. Sargent worked the final 3.0 innings unscathed while giving up three hits to record the save.
Lacee Collins was handed the loss for RMU pitching 4.1 innings and allowing six earned runs on seven hits while strinking out a pair.
Purcell and freshman Kaitlin Paterson picked up multi-hit games in game two as Purcell went 2-for-4 and Patterson finished 2-for-3. Rentzel and Dadalski each drove in a pair.
The CCSU softball team will return to action next as they complete regular season play with a doubleheader at Saint Francis U on Thursday afternoon. First pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m.