WEST HAVEN, Conn. The University of New Haven softball team split a non-conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon with Saint Anselm College at the UNH Softball Field. The Chargers fell in the opening game 6-7, returning in the second game to defeat the Hawks 2-1.

New Haven moved to 8-4 overall, while Saint Anselm moved to 3-9.

Game One

After a scoreless two innings, the Hawks took the lead in the top of the third with a grand slam. The Chargers scored a run in the bottom of the third when Brandy Dianno (Philadelphia, Pa./Nazareth Academy) crossed home off a double to left center by Lucy Francisco (Lawrence, Mass./Lawrence ).

Saint Anselm added one in the top of the fourth and New Haven scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sadie Redman (Bangor, Maine/Bangor) scored the first by advancing home after Dianno stole second. Dianno then scored off a throwing error to bring the Chargers within two, 5-3. The Hawks added a pair of runs to their lead in the top of the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Courtney Reed (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) scored off a wild pitch and Dianno drove in a pair of runs to cut the lead back within one, 7-6. In the seventh, New Haven came up short, leaving the tying run in scoring position.

Nicole King (Front Royal, Va./Warren County), who suffered her second loss of the season, allowed three runs on one hit and struck out three. Brittany Scott (Buena, N.J./Buena Regional), who relieved King in the third, allowed four runs on six hits and struck out one.

Dianno led the UNH bats with two hits, two runs and two RBI.

Game Two

After another scoreless first two innings, the Hawks took control of the game putting a run on the board in the top of the third inning. Saint Anselm hit a solo homerun to take the lead. The Chargers answered in the bottom of the inning when Meghan Chamoff (Roslyn Heights, N.Y./Herricks) scored off a a sacrifice fly to center by Dianno.

The game remained tied until the Chargers took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Christina Gelardi (Derby, Conn./Derby) singled to right center and drove in Sadie Redman (Bangor, Maine/Bangor) for the eventual game-winning run. The Hawks were unable to recover any runs in the seventh and UNH sealed the win.

Micah Stonesifer (Archer City, Texas/Archer City / Vernon College) collected her third win of the season in the complete game for the Chargers. She allowed just three hits and two walks, while giving up one run and striking out three.

Offensively, Gelardi led the team with two hits and one RBI in three at-bats.