Central Splits Double Header With Maine on Saturday

The Central Connecticut softball team split a pair of games with the University of Maine on Saturday. The Blue Devils recorded seven hits in game one, but only scored two runs in the loss. The team bounced back in game two, overcoming a late deficit to win 8-7 over the Black Bears.

GAME ONE

Score: Central Connecticut 2, Maine 4

Records: CCSU (4-4, 4-0 NEC), Maine (2-7, 0-0 America East)

Location: CCSU Softball Field | New Britain, CT

Pitching Records: W: O'Donnell (2-1) | L: Antonazzo (1-2) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• The Black Bears struck first with two outs in the first inning, when Kelby Drews hit a solo home run to left field. The team tacked on another run, taking a 2-0 lead.

• Catcher Rian Eigenmann answered, leading off the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot. It was the first home run of the season for Eigenmann and fourth of her career.

• The Blue Devils surrendered another run in the top of the third, after Kya Enos led off with a triple and Grace McGouldrick hit her in.

• Central made some noise while trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, after Meg Dugas ripped a RBI single to left field. Rian Eigenmann came around to score from second. Central then left two runners on base and trailed 4-2.

• CCSU had a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth, but could not push her home. 

• Freshman Anaya Hunte pitched 4.2 innings and gave up no earned runs.

GAME TWO

Score: Central Connecticut 8, Maine 7

Records: CCSU (5-4, 4-0 NEC), Maine (2-7, 0-0 America East)

Location: CCSU Softball Field | New Britain, CT

Pitching Records: W: Whittaker (1-1) | L: Fallon (0-4) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• Maine once again scored first in the contest, this time putting up four runs on three hits and one error in the first inning.

• The Blue Devils would not be discouraged, as Rian Eigenmann led off the bottom half with another solo shot to left field. Carli Backlund followed her with a triple and proceeded to score on a wild pitch. Meg Dugas added a RBI in the first inning and Maine's lead was cut to 4-3.

• Central tied the game the next inning after Brooke Fedison earned her first career hit and Eigenmann brought her home with a triple.

• The Black Bears took a 7-4 lead in the fourth inning after Izzy Nieblas hit a sacrifice fly.

• The Blue Devils once again rallied back from the deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Kim Howard was the hero of the inning, smacking a clutch double over the center fielder's head and scoring two runners. 

• In the bottom of the sixth, Meg Dugas hit a fly ball to deep left field which was caught by the left fielder. Backlund tagged from third and scored the eighth run of the game, giving CCSU a 8-7 lead.

• Kaylee Whittaker mowed down the Black Bear's in the final inning to secure the victory. Whittaker pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs and striking out six batters.

UP NEXT

The two teams meet for the rubber match tomorrow at 12:00 pm.