WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Off their single series on the road, the University of New Haven Softball team returned home to open up their final two series at Charger Softball field of the regular season as they welcomed the Purple Knights of the University of Bridgeport for the battle of I-95 as the final week of the regular season opened up for the blue and gold.
After a dominant performance on the road, Breanna Kinney (Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka) returned to the circle. After dealing against Pace, Kinney got the first two outs of the game but the Purple Knights pushed across three runs in the first inning with two outs taking the early lead.
Brianna Trueman (Trout Run, Pa./Montoursville Area) got the Chargers first hit of the afternoon, doubling, but would be stranded during the inning. New Haven would get a runner to second in the first two innings but never got the big hit they were looking for to drive a run across.
In the fourth inning, Lauren Haversat (Seymour, Conn./Seymoour), with one out, singled and advanced to second when Meg Anderson (Cranston, R.I./Cranston) was hit by a pitch as New Haven had their best opportunity with two on and one away in the inning. Haversat advanced to third on a fielder's choice. Runners at the corners with two outs a pitch made it to the backstop and Haversat beat the throw to the plate as New Haven had their first run on the board.
However, the Blue and Gold were not able to push any more runs across as they would fall in game one 3-1.
After Kinney and Viana McKinley (North Chesterfield, Va./Monacan) pitched in game one, Skylar Griffin (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) got the start in the second game. Bridgeport jumped out early on New Haven scoring seven runs in the first before adding a run in the fourth and three in the fifth. The Blue and Gold threatened in the fifth trailing by 11 as pinch-hitters came up with big plays as Giana Depino wore a pitch to reach and would come all the way around to score and put the first run of the board but a double-play would end the game as New Haven fell 11-1.
Looking to bounce back the Chargers remain home to Charger Softball Field for their final home games of the regular season when they welcome Adelphi University on Tuesday, April 23. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. between the Panthers and Chargers, and all updates, schedules, and post-game recaps for the team will be available at Newhavenchargers.com.
