PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The University of New Haven softball team traveled to Pace University on Sunday afternoon, as the Chargers played their first Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader away from the UNH Softball Field. New Haven captured the first game of the twinbill by the final score of 8-0 through five innings, but suffered a tough 7-6 loss in the nightcap.
With the split, New Haven moved to 16-7 overall and 6-2 in the NE-10 competition. Pace went to 12-8, 4-2 in league play.
Game One
The Chargers delivered a dominating performance en route to a lopsided 8-0 victory in the first game of the afternoon. Sophomore Christina Gelardi put the Chargers on the board in the first inning with an RBI single to bring Brandy Dianno around for a quick lead. Gelardi then came around to score on an RBI groundout from Lindsay Couturior, granting New Haven a 2-0 advantage.
The Chargers mustered another run in the third and then blew the game open with five more in the fifth. UNH registered six hits in the inning, including an RBI from five different players. Starting pitcher Alana Wesche only needed one of those runs, as she scattered three hits over five shutout innings for her eighth victory of the season.
Game Two
The back end of the doubleheader also featured an offensive outburst, this time from both squads. The Chargers mustered the game’s first run in the top of the first inning, when Chelsea Harold came around to score on a Setter throwing error. However, Pace battled back with three runs in the bottom half, one run in the second and two more in the third for a 6-1 lead through three frames.
New Haven wouldn’t go away though, as Kerri Tricinelli pulled the Chargers to within four after a solo-shot in the fourth inning. UNH kept the bats hot and added three more in the fifth, cutting its deficit to just one run. Lindsay Couturior, Tricinelli and Brooke Fisher each drove in a run, as the Chargers trailed 6-5 with two innings left to play.
Pitcher Micah Stonesifer held the Setters scoreless in the bottom half of the fifth, bringing the top of the lineup to bat in the sixth inning. Harold and Brandy Dianno reached base on a walk and an infield single, leaving first and second with one out. Gelardi reached on a fielders’ choice and Couturior came up with a clutch single to tie the score at 6-6.
Unfortunately, the Setters pushed the go-ahead run across the plate in the next innings, granting the home team a 7-6 lead. The Chargers failed to tie the score in the seventh, finalizing a heartbreaking loss for New Haven.
Harold, Dianno, Gelardi, Tricinelli and Fisher all registered multiple hits in the second game. Conversely, the Chargers were 4-of-14 at the plate with runners in scoring position.
New Haven remains on the road for its next contest, traveling to Springfield, Mass. for a doubleheader against American International College. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Fans can follow live coverage of the games on www.NewHavenChargers.com.
