Box Score

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - The University of New Haven softball team suffered a season-ending 8-5 loss to Molloy College in an elimination game at the NCAA Division II East Region Championship Tournament Saturday afternoon on the campus of C.W. Post. The Chargers fall to 34-19 in their fourth-straight NCAA appearance. The Lions improved to42-13 on the season and will take on Caldwell College Saturday afternoon in another elimination game.

The Lions opened scoring in the bottom of the second off a pair of hits. After the Chargers left two on base in the top of the third, Molloy took a 5-0 lead off four runs in the bottom of the third. The Lions recorded five runs in the third and stranded one runner on base.

New Haven's first run came in the top of the fifth inning. Brandy Dianno hit a two-out double, followed by a double to left center by Christina Gelardi, who recorded the first of her four RBI's of the day. Molloy extended the lead in the bottom of the fifth with three runs off four hits and one error.

After a scoreless sixth inning from both teams, the Chargers exploded in the top of the final inning. New Haven opened the seventh with a pair of outs, but the Chargers would not give up as the batting order turned over. Senior Chelsea Harold started a two-out rally with a single to second base. Brandy Dianno then single up the middle and brought Gelardi to the plate with runners on first and second. The sophomore blasted a three-run shot over the opposite fence and brought the score to 8-4 with two outs. Freshman Brooke Fisher then singled to left field and drove in the Chargers fifth run of the game. A strikeout ended the game as the Chargers' 2011 campaign came to a close.

Sophomore shortstop Christina Gelardi led the team with four RBI's, while going 3-for-4 at the plate. Junior Micah Stonesifer suffered the loss on the rubber for the Chargers. She threw the complete game and threw four strikeouts.