CALDWELL, N.J. – The University of New Haven softball team split a Sunday matinee doubleheader against the Caldwell Cougars at Kiwanis Oval. After dropping the opener by an 8-5 margin, the Chargers stormed back for an 11-4 victory in game two.

Leading the way on the day for the Blue and Gold was sophomore third baseman Taylor Luzzi (Fishkill, N.Y./John Jay) who combined to drive in seven runs with three hits over the doubleheader. In the opening game, Luzzi accounted for four of the Chargers five runs when she lifted her second home run of the season over the left field fence for a grand slam. She added thre more RBI in game two as she finished 2-of-4 at the plate.

Joining her in leading the Chargers at the plate was freshman left fielder Catherine Vaughn who drove in three runs total, including a pair on a one-out home run down the left field line in the seventh inning of game two. Overall, Vaughn finished with three hits on the day, one of four players to finish just behind Luzzi in the hit column.

Rounding out the leading hitters for New Haven was senior shortstop Julie Devlin (Baldwin, N.Y./Northwood School), junior designated player Marisa Colby and senior second basemen Gabby DeLeo (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Hubert Catholic) who all combined for three hits. All three of Colby's hits came in the second game of the day when she finished 3-for-4 with three RBI, including a double.

In the circle, freshman Megan Butts (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) was responsible for both decisions on the day with the win in game two pushing her into double digits on the season at 10-2 overall. Butts pitched over 10 innings across the two games, including a complete game in the second.

In the opener, she gave up three runs, only one of which was earned, in 3.1 innings of work. In the complete game win, she gave up four runs, three of them earned, on nine hits and five walks. Butts also combined to strike out six batters, three in each game.

Game One Highlights

·         After opening the game with back-to-back scoreless innings for both sides, the Chargers broke the stalemate with a five run third inning, sending eight batters to the plate. Right fielder Tori Schiebe (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) started the rally with a leadoff single to short before a one out double to right from DeLeo put her and Schiebe in scoring position.

·         Vaughn followed by driving in the first run as she reached on a fielder's choice with Schiebe beating out the throw home. After a walk was issued to Sierra Whitlock (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) loading the bases, Luzzi cleared all of them with one swing of the bat, sailing her second home run of the season, in back-to-back games, over the left field fence.

·         The Cougars responded in their half of the third by erasing that Charger lead with a five run rally of their own. That inning for Caldwell sparked a series of three straight where the Cougars would score at least one run, taking an 8-5 advantage in the fifth inning.

·         New Haven threatened in the top half of the fifth after Vaughn led off the frame with a double to right field, her only hit of the contest. She would remain stranded at second as the Cougars sat down New Haven's next three batters in order.

·         Overall, New Haven finished with five hits in the opening game with all five coming from different players. Luzzi's lone hit was her grand slam, which resulted in a game-high four RBI, while Vaughn provided the only other RBI for New Haven.

·         Freshman Megan Butts (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) suffered the loss in the circle for the Blue and Gold, her second in 11 total decision. Butts would pitch the final 3.1 innings and allow three runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits and a walk. She also struck out three batters. Classmate Kylie Stonebraker (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis High School) started for the Chargers, surrendering five runs, all earned, on five hits and two walks in two and two-thirds innings of work.  

Game Two Highlights

·         The Chargers didn't waste time in game two, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back. With one out in the frame, Devlin drilled a triple to right field, and was awarded on the next at bat as she scored on thanks to Luzzi, beating out the throw to home.

·         Luzzi would also be rewarded in the inning when she scored from second thanks to a Schiebe double to right center as both of the Chargers hits in the frame went for extra bases.

·         The Blue and Gold added four more runs to their tally in the second inning, all coming with two outs in the frame. DeLeo, Whitlock and Vaugh all began the rally when they each reached on singles that loaded the bases with one out. After the second out was secured, Luzzi followed with a single through the right side that allowed three runs to score, one on a muffed throw with Luzzi gathering a pair of RBI. Colby continued the rally with a double to right center that allowed Luzzi to score from second for a 6-0 advantage.

·         The Cougars would get two of the runs back in the bottom of the second, but Colby struck again in the top of the fourth, getting both runs back on a bases loaded single to left center that allowed Devlin and Whitlock to score. Whitlock led off the inning reaching on a fielder error, while Devlin started back-to-back hits for New Haven off with a single through the left side.

·         After surrendering one run in the sixth inning, the Chargers stormed back to score three more and reach double digits for the game in the top of the seventh inning. The first run of the frame would come on a fielding error in the outfield, however Vaughn provided the muscle to drive in the remaining two runs when she cleared Whitlock off the bases with her team-leading third home run of the season, this one down the left field line.

·         Colby would close out game two with a team-best three hits in four at bats and was one of two players to drive in three runs. Luzzi would join her with three RBI, while finishing with a pair of hits. Devlin and DeLeo also added multiple hits on the day, each finishing with two. Overall, New Haven finished with 12 hits, four of them going for extra bases.

·         In the circle, Butts pitched a complete game for the Chargers, closing out the day with over 10 innings of work. In the victory in game two, she gave up four runs, three of which were earned, on nine hits and five walks. She also added three strikeouts, giving her six total for the day.

Next Up
New Haven returns to the New Haven softball field for its next series as they also return to Northeast-10 Southwest Division play with a visit from the Pace Setters on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch in the opening game of a doubleheader with the Setters is slated for 5:00 p.m.