Softball Wins Both Games on Saturday and Completes Sweep Over FDU

The Blue Devils continued its Northeast Conference dominance with two wins on Saturday over Fairleigh Dickinson. With the victories, CCSU completed a four-game sweep over the Knights and improved to 10-5 overall and 8-0 in NEC play. Eight straight conference wins ties the 2014-15 softball team that also began the season at 8-0 in the NEC. 

Freshman Paige Stringer hit a home run in the first inning of both games on Sunday and drove in four runs. Pitcher Kaylee Whittaker dealt a combined 7.1 innings, earning a win in game one and a clutch save in game two.

GAME ONE

Score: Central Connecticut 2, Fairleigh Dickinson 1

Records: CCSU (9-5, 7-0 NEC), FDU (0-9, 0-7 NEC)

Location: FDU Softball Field | Hackensack, NJ

Pitching Record: W: Whittaker (2-1) | L: Savaglio (0-5) | Sv: --

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Devils once again got off to a quick start, scoring two runs in the first inning. Freshman Paige Stringer hit her sixth home run of the season, blasting a two-run shot to center field. The blast was her 13th hit of the season and a team leading 17th RBI.

• Fairleigh Dickinson got one back in the second, after Courtney Mahoney hit a double scoring one run. The Blue Devils got out of the inning keeping a 2-1 lead.

• The Blue Devils were able to load the bases in the top of the sixth inning with all three runners getting on from a walk. Kim Howard had an opportunity to break the game open, but chased one out the zone for strike three.

• The Knights led off the bottom half the sixth with a double to left center by Cassidy Triska. Alayna Savaglio hit a one out single, putting runners on first and third. Central was able to work out of the jam, after FDU hit a line drive that was caught by Kaitlin Paterson, who then fired the ball over to Stringer at first doubling up the runner. 

• Kaylee Whittaker closed out the seventh, with an easy 1-2-3 inning. Whittaker dealt a complete game, surrendering just one run and striking out three. Paige Stringer's first inning homer was the only hit of the game for CCSU, but it proved to be enough to earn the win.

GAME TWO

Score: Central Connecticut 5, Fairleigh Dickinson 4

Records: CCSU (10-5, 8-0 NEC), FDU (0-10, 0-8 NEC)

Location: FDU Softball Field | Hackensack, NJ

Pitching Record: W: Antonazzo (2-2) | L: Jones (0-2) | Sv: Whittaker (1)

KEY MOMENTS

• For the third consecutive game, freshman Paige Stringer belted a home run in the first inning, giving CCSU a 2-0 advantage. Stringer finished the series going 7-9 (.777) with three home runs, seven RBI's, and six walks. 

• The Knights once again struck in the bottom of the second, after Hailey Ramberg hit a solo shot cutting CCSU's lead to 2-1.

• After Stringer and Paterson got on base for the Blue Devils, Kim Howard layed down a perfect bunt to advance the runners. Meg Dugas followed her up with a base knock, scoring Paterson. The RBI single gave Central a 3-1 lead.

• The Blue Devils nearly added three more runs from the next batter Brooke Fredison, who hit what would have been a home run to center field. However, when Fedison was rounding first, she passed the first base runner and after a long meeting by the umpires was called out. The blast would have been the first career home run for Fedison.

• Central added to the inning, after a fielder error by the Fairleigh Dickinson center fielder that allowed two Blue Devils to score. Central took a 5-1 lead heading into the sixth inning.

• FDU scored one run in the bottom of the sixth off a sacrifice fly from Ramberg. She finished game two with a pair of runs batted in.

• Central found itself in trouble in the seventh, after FDU started a two-out rally. Jillian Ward singled in a runner, making the score 5-3. The Knights loaded the bases and pitcher Ashley Antonazzo walked home a run. Antonazzo finished the game going 6.2 innings and striking out three batters. Head coach Breanne Gleason decided to bring in Kaylee Whittaker, who was the star of game one. Whittaker struck out the final batter looking and picked up her first career save. Antonazzo earned the win, her second of the season. 

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils look to keep its NEC winning streak alive with a four-game series at home against Bryant. The games will be double headers on Saturday and Sunday, both starting at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.