Blue Devils Bounce Back with Two Wins Over Wagner

The Central Connecticut softball team bounced back after a tough series at LIU, with two comfortable wins over Wagner on Saturday. Kaitlin Paterson kicked off senior weekend with a bang, going 4-4 with three runs batted in and led the Blue Devils to a 11-3 victory in five innings in game one. Central then blasted three home runs in game two, cruising to a 6-2 win. 

The game one win was the 17th Northeast Conference win, which is the most in program history.

GAME ONE

Score: Central Connecticut 11, Wagner 3 (Five innings)

Records: CCSU (19-9, 17-4 NEC), WAG (12-17, 8-17 NEC)

Location: CCSU Softball Field | New Britain, CT

Pitching Records: W: Houghton (5-2) | L: Harvey (6-10) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• The Seahawks were able to strike first, getting a run off a single from Natalie Del Ponte in the first inning.

• Senior Kaitlin Paterson immediately put CCSU in the lead, taking a pitch to left field for a single and scoring two runs.

• The Blue Devils tacked on a couple more runs the following inning. Carli Backlund reached on an error by the left fielder, which allowed Rian Eigenmann to score. Paterson followed with another RBI base hit the other way, this time scoring Backlund.

• The game was broken open in the fourth inning when CCSU scored five runs. Kim Howard, on her birthday, blasted a grand slam to left field to give the Blue Devils a 10-1 lead. 

• Central was slated to end the game in the top of the fifth, but Wagner would not quit. Freshman Keaghan Ward hit a double to left center, scoring to Seahawks and the game would continue into the bottom of the inning.

• Game one would not last much longer, as CCSU loaded the bases. Bri Walker ripped a single to right center and Paige Stringer scored easily. The base knock ended the game at 11-3 in five innings.

GAME TWO

Score: Central Connecticut 11, Wagner 3 (Five innings)

Records: CCSU (20-9, 18-4 NEC), WAG (12-18, 8-18 NEC)

Location: CCSU Softball Field | New Britain, CT

Pitching Records: W: Marks (4-2) | L: Van Orman (6-10) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• In game two, it was the Blue Devils who attacked first. Catcher Rian Eigenmann crossed home plate on a wild pitch in the first inning. She scored four runs and stole three bases in the two games.

• Eigenmann was solid at the plate as well, going 2-4 in game two. She knocked home a run in the second inning with a double to left field.

• The Blue Devils stayed scorching hot in the third inning, belting three home runs in the inning. The first came from Kaitlin Paterson, who was 1-3 in game two. Kim Howard then hit a two-run shot, her second blast of the day. Bri Walker followed her with a solo shot to left center. The Blue Devils led 6-0 after three innings of play.

• Wagner added a run in both the fifth and sixth inning, but it was too little too late. Central swept the day with a 6-2 win in game two.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils and the Seahawks matchup again tomorrow at 1:00 and 3:00 pm.