Box Score

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - The University of New Haven softball team opened the 2011 NCAA Division II East Region Championship tournament on Friday afternoon with a tough 3-2 loss at the hands of host and No. 2 seed C.W. Post. With the loss, the Chargers fall to the losers bracket and will take on the loser of Friday afternoon's other match up, No. 3 Molloy and No. 6 Caldwell, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

New Haven fell to 34-18 on the season, while the Pioneers improved to 37-14 with the win.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings. The Chargers had the game’s best opportunity to score with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning. After back-to-back outs opened the inning, Lucy Francisco reached on an error and advanced to second with a stolen base. Chelsea Harold then singled to third base, while Allison Vaughan loaded the bases with a five-pitch walk. Christina Gelardi then grounded out to end the inning, stranding three runners on base.

The Pioneers then scored their first runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. C.W. Post used a walk, a double and a fielder’s choice to score two runs and take the game’s first lead.

New Haven answered with its own pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Lindsey Couturier hit a leadoff single up the middle, while Brooke Fisher recorded the second hit of the inning in the next plate appearance. Fisher hit a single up the middle and advanced to second on a fielding error by the center fielder. Courtney Garland then hit a double up the middle and drove in both of the Chargers’ game-tying runs.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Pioneers took the lead with one run off two hits.

The Chargers managed one base runner off an error in the top of the seventh, but a strike out concluded the game and sent the Chargers to the losers bracket.

Starting pitcher Micah Stonesifer threw the complete game for the Chargers. She struck out two batters and allowed three hits. At the plate, Garland led the team with one hit and two RBI’s.

No. 3 seed Molloy College takes on No. 6 seed Caldwell at 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon in the other opening round game. The winner will advance to take on C.W. Post at 11 a.m. Saturday morning, while the loser will head to the losers bracket to take on the Chargers at 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

For a complete Saturday schedule, check back to www.NewHavenChargers.com Saturday evening.