MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The University of New Haven softball team opened up its 2019 season finishing the day undefeated, defeating Clarion University 5-1 before closing out a 14-6 decision against Felician University in a five inning game.
Senior Taylor Luzzi (Fishkill, N.Y./John Jay) had a day at the plate with three hits and four RBIs combined over the two games. Sophomore Melissa Bike (Stratford, Conn./Saint Joseph) collected three hits and three RBIs, while freshman Ava Fitzmaurice (Greenville, N.Y./Greenville) had her first collegiate start of the year and earned her first victory. In game two, Fitzmaurice came in as relief collecting her first collegiate save.
Game One: New Haven 5, Clarion 1
The Chargers started off the top of the first inning strong. Sierra Whitlock (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) singled to right field, recorded her first stolen base of the season, and reached third base on a throwing error by the catcher. Luzzi singled to left field scoring Whitlock and advancing Mya Case (Syracuse, N.Y/West Genessee) to third. Jovanna Hillman (Seymour, Conn./Saint Joseph) followed with a sac fly to score Case. Bike and Vanessa Strohm (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) both recorded doubles and RBIs. New Haven led Clarion going into the bottom of the first 4-0.
The Blue and Gold kept the bats alive through the fifth inning. Scoring another run in the third inning. Meanwhile, Fitzmaurice kept the Golden Eagles off the board through the fifth inning.
Clarion scored a run in the sixth inning but the Chargers held their ground to record their first win of the season. Fitzmaurice threw a complete game, winning her first collegiate appearance.
Game Two: New Haven 14, Felician 6
New Haven started their second game strong as well. The Chargers were patient at the plate, recording two runs in the bottom of the first. Felician responded to the two runs, with two of their own to tie the game.
The Chargers bats took off in the bottom of the third scoring a total of seven runs. They loaded the bases with no outs, forcing the Golden Falcons to make a pitching change in the middle of the frame. That did not stop the Chargers from bringing across another three runs. Luzzi singled, plating Whitlock and freshman Nahtali Simpson (West Orange, N.J./West Orange). Bike followed with a double to left center which scored the final RBI of the inning.
Felician began chipping away in the top of the fourth, but it did not take long for the Chargers to respond. New Haven loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Hillman responded, homering to straight away center field recording for her first grand slam. Threatening to end the game early, with a 14-6 lead.
Freshman, Mia Iodice (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth Regional) recorded her first collegiate start on the mound, with Fitzmaurice reliever her in the middle of the third inning. Fitzmaurice held the Golden Falcons to one run, recording her first save.
UP NEXT
The Charges will continue their season-opening southern trip with two more games on Saturday, taking on Millersville in the morning (10:00 a.m.) followed by a noon start against Kutztown.
