The New Haven softball team hosted the Saint Anselm Hawks for the first of their two doubleheaders this weekend as they took on the Saint Anselm Hawks on Saturday. The Chargers dropped both games against the Hawks as they stretched their losing streak to four games.
Right-handed pitcher Breanna Kinney got the ball for New Haven in game one on Saturday, in which she struggled and gave up six runs on eight hits in just an inning and two thirds.
Saint Anselm jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning with three consecutive singles to start the game as left fielder Rose Reitmeyer drove in the first run with a single into left field and advanced to second on the throw. After a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Grace O’Hara made it a two-run game, first baseman Sam Wiberg knocked in Reitmeyer with a single to left for the third run of the inning.
After being retired in order in the bottom of the first, New Haven fell into an even deeper hole as the Hawks added three more runs to break the game open early and take a 6-0 lead. Right fielder Ava Caputo lined a double into left-center field and came around to score on another single by Reitmeyer. O’Hara followed her with a single of her own, then Wiberg lined another run scoring single into center field that forced New Haven to make a pitching change.
Right-handed pitcher Skylar Griffin came on in relief and finished the game with four and a third innings in which she allowed five runs on nine hits. She walked the first two batters she faced which brought the final run of the inning around to score.
Saint Anselm continued to pour it on in the top of the fourth as Wiberg led off the inning with a double and scored on a single from second baseman Hannah Ramer to make it a 7-0 game. Catcher Aly Wironen followed with a double to left-center that scored Ramer before right fielder Audrey Arsenault lined a single through the middle to make it a nine-run game.
New Haven got two runs back in the bottom of the inning as Stephanie Smith started the rally with a one out walk and scored on a double from first baseman Meg Anderson. Catcher Halle Frederick followed right behind with an infield single that scored shortstop Lauren Haversat to make it a 9-2 game.
Wironen put the final touches on game one with a two-run home run to put the lead back at nine. New Haven had no answer in the bottom of the inning as the game was called with the Chargers taking an 11-2 loss.
Right-handed pitcher Viana McKinley got the start in game two for New Haven and did not receive a decision as she pitched six and two thirds, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits and four walks.
Caputo started the game strong for the Hawks as she led off the game with a double to left before advancing to third on a groundout. She came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Reitmeyer that gave them an early 1-0 lead.
Saint Anselm put two more runs on the board in the second inning on an error that scored Arsenault and Ramer to make it a three-run game.
New Haven got one run back in the bottom of the inning after Anderson led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Frederick. Second baseman Kylie Thorpe reached on an error that allowed pinch runner Sophia Piccirilli to score and cut the Hawks lead to two.
Anderson led off the bottom of the fourth for the Chargers with a double as part of her 4-4 day at the plate. After two quick outs, Thorpe ripped a two-run home run over the left field wall that knotted the score back at three going into the late innings.
The Chargers took their first lead of the day in the bottom of the fifth after center fielder Bella Chenet led off the inning with a double and scored on an error by third baseman Katie Tournas. They added to their lead with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-3 lead after run scoring singles from Chenet and Haversat, as well as an RBI groundout from right fielder Olivia Roberto.
Saint Anselm came storming back in the top of the seventh with five runs on account of three doubles and Wironen’s second home run of the doubleheader. Right fielder Lily Mason brought in the go-ahead run as the Hawks were down to their final out.
Anderson tied the game at eight in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff home run, but left the winning run stranded at third with two consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.
Reitmeyer continued the slugfest with a game-winning home run in extra innings to seal the sweep of the doubleheader with a 9-8 win as New Haven went down in order in the bottom of the inning.
After the weekend doubleheaders, New Haven’s record stands at 5-25 (3-11 NE-10). The team will be back on the field on Wednesday as they take on Post University for a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m. on their home field. For more information about upcoming games, please visit NewHavenChargers.com.
