Box Score
WORCESTER, Mass. – Freshman Brooke Fisher launched a two-out grandslam in the top of the fifth inning on Friday afternoon to lift the University of New Haven softball team over the No. 1 seeded Assumption College Greyhounds at Morais Field. Fisher’s blast granted the Chargers a 5-2 lead, an advantage that UNH would never relinquish. The Chargers now march on to the winners’ bracket of the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament.
The Greyhounds opened the game’s scoring summary, posting a two spot on the scoreboard in their first at-bats. However, after scoreless second and third innings, the Chargers mustered their first run of the game in the fourth. Christina Gelardi led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a walk to Fisher, Courtney Garland laced an RBI single to left field to bring Gelardi around from second. UNH now trailed by a score of 2-1.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Chargers kept their bats going and put together a surge that resulted in four runs. Chelsea Harold and Brandy Dianno recorded back-to-back singles with one out to start the rally. After a fielders’ choice put two outs up on the scoreboard, Lindsey Couturior drew a walk to load the bases. Fisher stepped into the batters’ box and on a 2-and-2 pitch, blasted a fly ball to left field that just cleared the outstretched arm of the Greyhounds’ left fielder for her first career grandslam. The Chargers controlled a 5-2 advantage.
The Greyhounds made things interesting in the final two innings, but stellar defense kept the Chargers in front. Couturior ended the game with a spectacular heads up double-play to solidify their second triumph of the tournament.
Starting pitcher Micah Stonesifer was tremendous in the circle for the second time on the day. She tossed a complete-game, allowed two runs, scattered nine hits and struck out four batters. She collected her 19th win and lowered her conference-leading ERA to 1.00.
Fisher’s homerun marked the fourth of the season and increased her RBI total to 24. Gelardi added two hits, while Couturior and Dianno accounted for the other two for the Chargers.
With the win, the Chargers improved to 34-15 on the season and move on to play tomorrow at Assumption College. UNH faces off against the winner of No. 2 Southern Connecticut State University and No. 3 Merrimack College at 1 p.m. The Chargers are also guaranteed a game on Sunday as well.
