WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven softball team (28-10, 17-5 NE10) closed out its four-game weekend series against the Saint Rose Golden Knights with a pair of victories on Sunday afternoon, the first a 2-0 shutout that contributed towards Northeast-10 Southwest Division standings. The Chargers would then post a 3-2 nine-inning walk off victory in the final game of the series, closing out the weekend with a 3-1 record against Saint Rose.  

Leading the Chargers at the plate overall on the day was sophomore centerfielder Sierra Whitlock (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) who finished with a combined three hits, including a 2-for-2 performance with a run scored in the opener. Two of Whitlock's three hits on the day went for two bases, one in each game.

Senior Julie Devlin (Baldwin, N.Y./Northwood School) and junior Kristine Liptack (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) rounded out New Haven's multi-hit batters with Liptack going 2-for-3 in the opener and Devlin 2-for-4 in the second game. Among Devlin's two hits in the second game was her third home run of the season as she lifted the first pitch of the sixth inning down the left field line, tying the game at one.

Freshman pitcher Megan Butts (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) earned a pair of victories on the day, securing the first with a five-inning, three-hit shutout. She then came in with two outs in the ninth inning of game two and picked up the win with a one-out, three-pitch performance. Classmate Kylie Stonebraker (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis High School) earned a save in the opening game after pitching a pair of perfect innings, retiring the six batters she faced in order. She then started game two, pitching 8.2 innings in a no decision. She would close out the second game allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits while stranding 10 Golden Knights runners on base.

Game One Highlights

·         After leaving the bases loaded in the first and going down in order in the second, New Haven manufactured its first run of the day in the third inning, scoring with two outs in the frame. Third baseman Taylor Luzzi (Fishkill, N.Y./John Jay) would score that first run after reaching base on a fielder's choice that erased the runner trying to score from third. Luzzi stole second to get herself into scoring position and took advantage of a fielding error at first base as the throw pulled the first baseman off the bag, allowing the run to score.

·         The insurance run for New Haven came in the fifth inning when centerfielder Sierra Whitlock (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) led off the frame with a single to right field. After advancing to second on a passed ball, Whitlcok was able to score as Luzzi sacrificed herself on a bunt.  

·         The Chargers worked out of early trouble in the top of the sixth inning after issuing walks to the first two batters of the frame. New Haven turned to Kylie Stonebraker (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis High School) to earn the final six outs and she did so in impressive fashion. She stranded both of those sixth inning walks on first and second, sitting down the first three batters she faced in order, while doing the exact same in the seventh.

·         Overall, Stonebraker pitched those two innings forcing four pop ups and striking out one in each of the two innings she pitched to earn her second career save. Classmate Megan Butts (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) earned the victory in the circle as she pitched the first five innings without allowing a run despite giving up three hits and walking three batters. She also struck out two.

·         At the plate, Whitlock and first baseman Kristine Liptack (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) led the way, each finishing with a pair of hits, part of five total for the Blue and Gold. Vaughn's third inning leadoff single was the only other New Haven hit. The Chargers also worked four walks, all issued to different players, off of Saint Rose's Dana Nicoletti.

Game Two Highlights

·         Saint Rose would strike first in game two, breaking a 0-0 stalemate that lasted five innings. That run came courtesy of a double to left center field for the Golden Knight's Kayla Bancroft.

·         The Chargers bats weren't going to let that run last very long as shortstop Julie Devlin (Baldwin, N.Y./Northwood School) drilled the first pitch of the frame down the left field line and over the fence for her third home run of the season. New Haven continued to threaten in that inning after Marissa Colby (Charlton, Mass./Shepherd Hill) reached on a throwing error that also allowed her to advance to second with no outs. She would close out the inning stranded at third following a sacrifice and a pair of infield groundouts.

·         Both teams would drill seventh inning doubles looking to score the go ahead run, but in both instances, the runner was left on base.

·         Utilizing the international tiebreaker rule, the Golden Knights struck first in the top of the eighth inning as Nicoletti hit a pinch hit single to right field that allowed the placed runner to score after being sacrificed to third.

·         In New Haven's half of the eighth, Luzzi would start the frame at second base and advance to third on the second out of the inning, only to score on a wild pitch, tying the game at two.

·         The game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth for the Chargers came courtesy of the fourth error of the game for the Golden Knights. Gabby DeLeo (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Hubert Catholic) would start out the inning at second base. After Liptack was hit by a pitch putting a pair of runners on board, catcher Samantha Errera (Sweetwater, N.J./Cedar Creek) put down a bunt looking to advance the runners, but the throw to first was off its mark, allowing DeLeo to score easily from third.  

·         Stonebraker started the second game for New Haven, pitching an 8.2 inning no decision. Overall, she gave up seven hits and allowed two runs, one of which was earned, but stranded 10 Golden Knights runners on base. She also struck out one batter. Butts earned a one out victory for her second of the day, improving to 16-5 on the season.

·         Overall, New Haven scattered five hits in the second game of the day with Devlin's home run part of a team-high two hits. The remaining three hits all came from different players with Whitlock, Luzzi and Schiebe all providing base knocks, including a double for Whitlock.

Next Up
New Haven returns to action with a pair of midweek dates on the schedule against crosstown rival Southern Connecticut State University. First up for the Chargers will be a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader as the two squads will start the day by finishing off a suspended game from last week. That contest, which is slated for a 3:00 p.m., will begin in the top of the third inning with New Haven leading 5-1. Following the conclusion of the suspended game, the two squads will play an addition divisional contest. On Wednesday, the Chargers and Owls will meet one final time with a 4:00 p.m. first pitch as the final game of the series will not count towards divisional standings.