After a win against AIC last week, the University of New Haven softball team looked to keep the momentum going as they faced both Bentley and Assumption University in double-headers.
The Chargers faced the Bentley Falcons on Friday to start the weekend off, and the first game went into overtime. The Chargers jumped to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Brianna Trueman hit a single which drove in Bella Chenet. New Haven led 1-0 until the top of the fourth as Bentley tied it on a fielder’s choice. There were zeroes across the scoreboard for the next five innings.
Skylar Griffin was the story for the Chargers on the mound, going the distance with 10 innings pitched. Across those 10 innings, Griffin gave up 12 hits, with four punchouts and three runs, only one of them being earned. Two of Bentley’s runs were scored in the top of tenth, but the Chargers offense could not come back and fell short, 3-1.
In game two, New Haven was the first to strike again on a single up the middle from Marzia Johnson which brought Kylie Thorpe home. The Falcons would claw back and score three runs in the third inning, followed by one more run in the fifth and then two in the seventh. The Chargers collected seven hits as a team, with left-fielder Stephanie Smith leading the team with two.
On Sunday, the Chargers looked to right the ship against the Assumption Greyhounds.
In game one, it was the same narrative. The Chargers would hop out to an early lead when Brianna Trueman reached first base on an error and Olivia Roberto scored on the play. The Greyhounds would tie the game in the next inning on a double and then take the lead two innings later on a sacrifice fly. The Chargers tied it on a Bella Chenet single after Marzia Johnson was able to score. However, Assumption would immediately take the lead on a homer and then a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to take a 4-2 lead. The Greyhounds added one more run in the seventh and the Chargers brought in two runs but could not mount the comeback and lost, 5-4.
Skylar Griffin took the mound again and handed in another excellent performance. Griffin pitched another complete game, surrendering nine hits with one strikeout. She gave up five total runs, three of which were earned.
Game two resulted in another Chargers loss. Assumption scored in the first and second inning, both on single hits. The Greyhounds third run came from a homerun to center field and it was not until the sixth inning when the Chargers would scratch across two runs.
After falling short in both double-headers, the Chargers have an overall record of 8-20 and 1-5 in conference play. New Haven is back in action on Wednesday as they host cross town rival, the Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) Owls for a double-header. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the New Haven Softball Field. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com
