WEST HAVEN, Conn. — The New Haven Softball (9-30, 7-14) faced off against Mercyhurst University (8-27, 7-11) over the weekend, achieving a mix of results in their three-game series.
In the first game on Saturday, New Haven secured a decisive 4-0 victory, powered by a four-run fourth inning.
Katie Rhodes (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing six hits and one walk. She showcased her control on the mound with 59 strikes out of 86 pitches, earning her second win of the season and improving her record to 2-7. The Chargers' scoring was initiated by Jess Petit's single to center field, followed by
Emily Ricci's (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) single that advanced Petit. Key contributions came from
Gianna Haniff (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun), who delivered a crucial double to right center, driving in three runs, and
Allison Murai (Sammamish, WA/Skyline High School), who brought Haniff home with a single.
In the second game of the day, New Haven fell to Mercyhurst 10-5. The Chargers' offense managed 10 hits, including two doubles, but was unable to overcome Mercyhurst's power hitting, which included three home runs. The first inning saw both teams score, with New Haven initially taking a 2-1 lead. However, Mercyhurst responded aggressively, with Avarie Mays hitting a home run and Gabriella DeLuca contributing a double that brought in three runs. Despite a strong effort in the sixth inning, where Jess Petit and others loaded the bases, New Haven could not close the gap.
Peyton Sullivan (Savona, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) started for the Chargers, pitching 1 2/3 innings, while
Cecelia Imbimbo (Burlington, Mass./Burlington) and
Skylar Griffin (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) provided relief.
On Sunday, New Haven bounced back with an 8-2 victory in the final game of the series. The Chargers' offense was highlighted by a seven-run fourth inning, overcoming an early deficit. After Mercyhurst took a 1-0 lead in the first, New Haven surged ahead with a series of hits, including a double by
Bella Chenet (Plantation, Fla./Archbishop McCarthy) that cleared the bases and brought in three runs. The Chargers continued to build on their lead with Petit's double in the sixth, driving in another run for an 8-2 advantage.
Katie Rhodes (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) once again delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching a complete game, allowing seven hits and only one earned run, while improving her record to 3-7.
Jess Petit had an impressive weekend, recording multiple hits and contributing significantly to the offense, while
Bella Chenet's (Plantation, Fla./Archbishop McCarthy) performance included driving in three runs.
Up next, New Haven will host Yale University on Wednesday, April 22, at 5 p.m. in New Haven, Connecticut.
