Softball Opens Weekend With NEC Doubleheader Split At Mercyhurst

The Central Connecticut State University softball team opened up a weekend series in Erie, Pennsylvania on a chilly Saturday afternoon with a Northeast Conference doubleheader spilt with the host and conference newcomer Mercyhurst University Lakers, as CSSU took game one, 8-6, and fell in the nightcap, 4-1.  With the split, the Blue Devils are now 14-24 overall and 9-5 in the NEC.  Mercyhurst is now 4-24 overall and 2-12 in conference play.

Game One vs. Mercyhurst| BOX SCORE

Score:  CCSU 8, Mercyhurst 6
Records: CCSU (14-23, 9-4 NEC), Mercyhurst (3-24, 1-12 NEC)
Location: Mercyhurst Softball Field | Erie, Pa.

Game Two vs. Mercyhurst| BOX SCORE

Score:  Mercyhurst 4, CCSU 1
Records: CCSU (14-24, 9-5 NEC), Mercyhurst (4-24, 2-12 NEC)
Location: Mercyhurst Softball Field | Erie, Pa.

KEY MOMENTS FROM SATURDAY'S GAME ONE WIN:

• After Mercyhurst opened the scoring in the game with a two-out, solo home run in the bottom of the first, the visiting Blue Devils came right back to take the lead which they never relinquished in the opener in the top of the second when the scored three runs on a two-RBI triple by Joslyn Teal, who also came home on the play on an errant throw to make the score 3-1 in favor of CCSU.
• Central added to its advantage in the top of the third when a two-out, double by Abby Meehan brought home Ashlyn Desaulneirs, who led off the frame with an infield single, to make the score 4-1.
• The host Lakers would knock one run off the lead to make the score 4-2 in favor of CCSU with a single run in the bottom of the third.
• CCSU tacked on three more runs in the top of the fourth on an RBI-double by Kassandra (KC) Machado and ball put in play by Abby Meehan that gave her another RBI plus saw another runner score on an error.
• The offense continued for both teams on the bottom of the fourth, as a three-run homer by the Lakers with two down in the inning made the score 7-5 in favor of the visitors.
• Ava Cino upped the Blue Devils lead to 8-5 in the top of the sixth inning with an RBI-double that scored Reagan Vunak.
• Mercyhurst scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to make the final score in game one, 8-6.
• As a team, CSSU had nine hits in game one led by Joslyn Teal who went 3-for-3 with a single, double and triple.  Ashlyn Desaulniers had two hits for the winners.
• Central a total of five extra base hits in Saturday's opener.
• Liz Hamilton earned her ninth win of the year in the circle for CCSU in game one working all seven innings, in which she allowed six runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts and only one walk.

KEY MOMENTS FROM GAME TWO ON SATURDAY:

• As they did in the opener, Mercyhurst grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the nightcap with a run in the bottom of the first inning.
• CCSU threatened to score in the top of the third, but the Blue Devils left the bases loaded.
• The Blue Devils would tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth on a Grace Lawton RBI-triple that scored Adriana Manory.
• The host Lakers would score three runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning to grab a 4-1 lead which proved to be the final score.
• Alina Varga (5-11) took the loss in game two working a complete game in which she gave up four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and eight walks.
• CCSU was limited to only three hits in game two, but all of those base knocks were of the extra base variety, as Joslyn Teal and Skylar Warn had doubles and Grace Lawton had a triple.

UP NEXT:

• The Blue Devils and the Lakers close out their three-game weekend NEC series with a single game at 12 noon on Sunday afternoon.