Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven softball team defeated American International College in two games Wednesday afternoon at the UNH Softball Field. The Chargers took the opening game 4-0 and won their 16th straight in a 2-1 victory in game two. The Chargers, ranked No. 14 in the latest national poll, improve to 20-2 overall and 10-0 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Yellow Jackets fall to 10-14 overall and 3-3 in the NE-10.
Game One
The senior duo of
Nicole Downs (Seymour, Conn./Seymour) and
Breanne Gleason (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Central ) helped the Chargers take a lead in the first game Wednesday afternoon. In the bottom of the first inning, Downs hit a double down the left field line. Gleason then stepped to the plate and hit a single to center field which scored the game-winning run.
After four batters, a hit and three outs in the second inning, the UNH defense stalemated the AIC bats in the third inning as well, retiring the first three batters. Downs then helped the Chargers take a 2-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning. The Yellow Jackets had another hitless inning in the top of the fourth, while the Chargers added another run on a
Gabby Cruz (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore ) RBI walk.
AIC could not muster a base runner in the final three innings, while another RBI walk gave the Chargers a 4-0 victory.
Tricinelli recorded the win for UNH. She threw all seven innings and allowed no runs. The freshman also collected three strikeouts, while giving up just one hit.
Offensively, Downs, Gleason, Cruz and
Chelsea Harold (Oxford, Conn./Seymour ) each recorded RBI's. Cruz added a run and a perfect 1-for-1 at the plate.
Game Two
Each team was held scoreless through the first three innings of the second game Wednesday. The Yellow Jackets left five runners on base, including three in the first inning, while the Chargers also left five stranded in the first three innings. In the AIC half of the fourth inning, the Chargers retired the side, while two hits and an error in the bottom of the inning gave the Chargers a pair of runs.
Courtney Garland (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow ) opened the inning by reaching base on a fielding error. Cruz advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt, while Allison Vaughn followed with a single to right field. Vaughn stole second base, while
Samantha Minervini (Nutley, N.J./Nutley ) stepped in to pinch hit for the Chargers. Minervini hit a single which skimmed off the top of the left fielders glove and rolled to the outfield fence. Both Garland and Vaughn scored on the play and gave the Chargers a 2-0 lead.
A foul fly with runners on second and third base in the top of the fifth inning brought AIC within one, 2-1. The Yellow Jackets once again went hitless in the final two innings and the Chargers sealed the one-run win.
Tricinelli pitched another four 1/3 innings and earned her second win of the day for UNH. Gleason pitched the final two 2/3 innings in the save appearance.
Minervini was the only Charger to record an RBI in the win, while Vaughn led the team going 1-for-2 with a run scored.
The Chargers return to action on Saturday, April 10 when they host UMass Lowell at the UNH Softball Field. Game time on Saturday is set for 12 p.m.
