Box Score

WEST HAVEN, Conn. - With a two-run double to right field in the top of the seventh inning, Gabby Cruz (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore ) gave the University of New Haven softball team a 5-1 lead over Southern Connecticut State University in the second game of the 2010 NCAA Division II East Region Softball Championship winner's bracket. The Chargers would hold on to the lead, despite allowing two runs in the bottom of the ninth, and advance to the East Region (1) final tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

As the designated home team in the game, Southern Connecticut wasted no time with one run off two hits in the bottom of the first inning. Both teams were held scoreless in the second inning, while UNH pitcher Breanne Gleason (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Central ) caught fire on the mound for the Chargers.

Gleason fanned two in the bottom of the second, while the Charger came alive in the top of the third inning with two runs and three runners left on base. The senior pitcher then struck out the side in the bottom of the third inning, keeping UNH up 2-1 after three. The Charger managed one base runner in the fourth, while Gleason collected another two K's off three batters in the fourth.

Senior third baseman Nicole Downs (Seymour, Conn./Seymour) put the Chargers up 3-1 with a lead-off home run in the fifth inning, while the Owls threatened in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back walks put runners on first and second base with two outs, but a ground out ended the inning and the Chargers held on to a two-run lead.

Courtney Garland (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow ) was hit by a pitch in the top of the sixth and eventually made her way to third base after a Shannon Angehr (Levittown, N.Y./Division Avenue ) sacrifice bunt. After two outs, the Chargers left their eighth runner on base. Gleason continued her stellar pitching with another three strikeouts in the bottom of the sixth inning.

New Haven would seal the game with a two-run seventh inning. Downs would lead off the inning with a walk, while Meghan Walter (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore ) reach base immediately after with a single to left center. Downs and Christina Gelardi (Derby, Conn./Derby) each advanced a base on a fielder's choice, but Downs would eventually get thrown out at home on the next play, putting runners on first and second for Cruz. The senior then hit a rocket to right center, putting the Chargers up 5-1.

Southern made a run for the win in the bottom of the seventh, however. The Owls led off with a double to left field, while back-to-back strikeouts put two outs on the board. A two-out SCSU rally would ensue as the Owls strung together three singles and two runs. The final out came with a full count as Gleason tallied her 15th strikeout with the tying run on first base.

The hurler tied her season-high of 15 strikeouts, while coming one shy of her career record of 16. Gleason allowed six hits, three runs and four walks in her 35th win of the season.

Cruz and Gelardi both finished with two RBI to lead the Chargers. Downs added one RBI and two runs, while Gelardi added a run to her day.

The Chargers now take on Southern Connecticut State University tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. at the UNH Softball Field. Southern Connecticut defeated Georgian Court in game five Saturday afternoon to earn its way back into Sunday's contest.