ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Both of the Chargers middle infielders, Madison Derosia (Brattleboro, Vt./Brattleboro Union) and Mya Case (Syracuse, N.Y/West Genessee), each finished with three hits to lead the University of New Haven softball team in a non-conference doubleheader split against the Molloy Lions. The Chargers took the opening game by a 6-2 margin before falling 4-1 in game two.

Among the six hits for the two leaders at the plate, each finished with a double, while the pair combined to swipe four bases in as many attempts with Case leading the duo going 3-of-3 on the base paths. Joining Derosia and Case in leading the offense was Katrina Aponte (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) and Jovanna Hillman (Seymour, Conn./Saint Joseph) who each finished with a pair of hits and knocked in one run apiece.

In the circle, freshman Ava Fitzmaurice (Greenville, N.Y./Greenville) secured her team and NE10 leading 10th win of the season. The rookie pitched her sixth-straight complete game allowing four earned runs in seven innings of work. Classmate Mia Iodice (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth Regional) suffered the defeat in game two, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and five walks over 5.1 innings of work.

GAME ONE: New Haven 6, Molloy 4

The Chargers started scoring early in game one after Sierra Whitlock (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) led off the game with a double through the left side. On the next at bat, Case legged out an infield circle as Whitlock advanced to third and was able to score as the throw to first was off its mark. New Haven would never relinquish that lead, scoring two runs in the fourth and sixth before adding the final tally in the seventh inning.

In the fourth inning, both runs came after a pair of outs were recorded. Aponte started out rally with a single to right field, followed by a double to center from Derosia while after advancing to third on the hit, Aponte was able to score courtesy of another error charged to the Lions. On the next at bat, Derosia was able to score on an infield single after she also advanced to third on the earlier error.

The Lions were able to muster their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning before New Haven put up two more in the sixth. The scoring started early in the sixth with Hillman drilling her team-leading third home run of the season to right field. That home run was the first in a streak of four-straight hits with the third in the inning a double to left center from Aponte that scored the pinch runner Nahtali Simpson (West Orange, N.J./West Orange).

Molloy would take one of those runs back in the bottom of the sixth, but New Haven answered by plating its final run in the top of the seventh. That run came early in the inning as Case and Melissa Bike (Stratford, Conn./Saint Joseph) opened up the frame with back-to-back hits, a double followed by a single through the right side with Bike scoring the RBI.

In the bottom of the seventh, Molloy would make a comeback efforts but Fitzmaurice maintained her composure and secured the victory with an infield popup.

GAME TWO: Molloy 4, New Haven 1

In game two, the Lions would strike first plating single runs in the third and fifth innings, never looking back from that lead.

Facing a two run deficit, the Chargers plated their only run in the top of the sixth inning with Whitlock again starting the rally by leading off the frame legging out a bunt single. Case followed that by reaching safely on a fielding error in right field which allowed Whitlock to advance to third. The pair each advanced on a passed ball with Whitlock crossing the plate on the miscue.

Molloy would manage two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning before ending the game on a three-up, three-down seventh inning.

UP NEXT
New Haven will return to NE10 play with a three-game divisional weekend series scheduled against Saint Rose. The series will open on Saturday with a single game the New Haven Softball Field with the first pitch slated for 2:00 p.m. The two teams will meet again on Sunday for a doubleheader with the twin bill scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start. Fans who are unable to attend can find links for live video and live stats at NewHavenChargers.com.