THE LEAD
The New Haven softball team will be the first to kick off 2021 when they open a 38-game schedule with a doubleheader versus Stonehill College. The first game of the double-dip is slated for 12:00 p.m. with first pitch of game two to follow the conclusion of game one by approximately 30 minutes. All the action from the New Haven Softball Field will be broadcast live on the Charger Sports Network on NE10 NOW.
SPRING 2021 FAN POLICY
With the primary goal of keep those within the University Community safe, UNH will not be allowing fans from outside of the campus community at any athletic event. Any student, faculty or staff member attending an athletic contest must prove clearance in CoVerified upon arrival. Athletic facilities will be subject to State capacity limitations and spectators must abide by University masking and social distancing guidelines at all times.
SERIES HISTORY VS STONEHILL
Competing in opposite divisions in the Northeast-10, New Haven and Stonehill have met just 11 times since the Blue and Gold joined the league for the 2009 season. Â Over those 11 meetings, the Chargers hold an 8-3 record with the initial meetings coming during that first season in the conference with the teams splitting a doubleheader at the New Haven Softball Field. The last four meetings have all come in West Haven, with the Chargers taking both ends of a doubleheader in 2014 before splitting two games during the 2018 campaign.
SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
New Haven makes its diamond debut against the Skyhawks, their first time stepping inside the chalk since a March 5, 2020 extra-inning win over crosstown rival Southern Connecticut State University. Including that win, and an earlier trip to the Florida Tech Invitational, the Blue and Gold closed out its shortened 2020 season with a 3-3 record. Through those six early games, the Chargers were led by junior Ava Fitmaurice who put up top numbers on both sides of the ball. The pitcher/outfielder collected a team-high six hits and six RBI, with four of those hits going for extra bases, to finish with a .300 batting average at the plate. In the circle, she earned all three of the Chargers victories, finishing 21.2 innings of work with a 0.97 earned run average. Overall, she surrendered just three earned runs on 26 hits, while striking out 12 batters. In addition to Fitzmaurice, other leading returners include junior Nahtali Simpson (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) who scattered five hits across 19 at bats and drove in two runs, and senior Mel Bike who drove in two runs on three hits.
SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
At the time the 2020 season was suspended, the Skyhawks were in the midst of a season-opening trip to Florida, where in the seven days they spent in the Sunshine State prior to the shutdown they amassed a 7-5 overall record. Through those 12 games, Stonehill was led by four different players who all racked up double digit hits. Leading the way was returning senior Michelle Theilgard who finished with a team-best 14 hits, including six for extra bases, and scored 12 runs. She also knocked in eight runs and reached safely with nine walks. In the circle, Stonehill was led by graduating senior Katherine Rayner who threw 40 innings and compiled a 5.42 ERA, allowing 11 earned runs, 20 total, across 40 innings of work. She also struck out 31 batters. Overall, 66.2 of the 80 total innings of work for the Skyhawks all came from non-returning pitchers.
THE 2021 SCHEDULE
As recently announced by the league, the NE10 adopted a divisional format for 2021 – Northeast and Southwest – with all schools slated to play a 24-game conference schedule. Series will consist of four games on weekends in doubleheader format, while schools maintain the ability to extend the weekend series to three days or alter the days in which they play in accordance with academic calendars. New Haven will play in the Southwest Division which is made up of seven teams including Adelphi, American International, Le Moyne, Pace, Saint Rose and Southern Connecticut. In addition to its 24-game conference schedule, New Haven will play seven non-divisional dates, including one out of conference opponent, Molloy, bringing their total scheduled games for 2021 to 38.
CHARGERS SECOND IN PRESEASON POLL
In a poll of the conference's 14 head coaches, the UNH softball team was selected to finish second, among the seven teams, in the Southwest Division. The Chargers received 81 points and four of the 14 possible first place votes to finish just behind Adelphi who garnered 87 points and the remaining 10 first place votes. Rounding out the top-five was Pace (68 points), Le Moyne (53) and Saint Rose (36). Southern Connecticut came in at sixth with 32 points, while American International rounds out the division in seventh place with 28 points.
UP NEXT
New Haven will continue non-divisional Northeast-10 play next weekend when they welcome Saint Anselm to West Haven for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 20. First pitch in the opening game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. with the game available on the Charger Sports Network on NE10 NOW. Live stats will also be available via NewHavenChargers.com.
