(03-16-08)
Box Score vs. Philadelphia
Box Score vs. Augustana
KISSIMMEE, Fla.-- Sophomore shortstop Nicole Downs (photo) led the University of New Haven (2-2) softball team to its first two victories of 2008 by hitting three home runs and driving in 6 runs in a 5-3 victory over Philadelphia University and a 8-3 win over Augustana College (S.D.).
Game 1:
The Chargers grabbed their first lead of the season in the bottom of the first with two, 2-out RBIs. Downs got UNH on the scoreboard with a single and junior catcher Jordanna Borska added the second run with a single for a 2-0 advantage.
Philadelphia University was able to cut the Charger lead in half (2-1) in the top of the second as a wild pitch from freshman pitcher Hannah Everson got away from Borska. UNH looked to extend their lead in the bottom half of the inning but could not plate any runs, leaving runners stranded at second and third.
Downs collected her second RBI of the game in the bottom of the third with a lead-off home run down the left field line. In the fourth inning the Chargers looked to break the game wide open with bases loaded and one out. Senior Denise Castelli led off with a single up the middle, followed by senior Meg Brown reaching on an error. Following a pop-out, sophomore Breanne Gleason singled up the middle to load the bases for Downs. Downs worked a 3-0 count and hammered the next pitch to deep left, but it fell short at the fence for a sacrifice fly and her third RBI of the game giving the Chargers a 4-1 lead.
UNH was once again able to get bases-loaded with one out in the bottom of the fifth, but could not push a run across to extend their lead.
Gleason grabbed her first RBI of the season as she led off the sixth with a solo home run over the left field fence pushing the Charger lead to five (5-1).
Philadelphia University attempted a comeback in the top of the seventh as they loaded the bases with one out. Everson got a strikeout to get to two outs, but a two-RBI single closed the gap to 5-3. Everson did battle back and was able to get the next batter to pop out to second.
Everson made her first start in Charger blue as she picked up her first and the team's first win of the season. Everson had seven strikeouts in the victory.
Game 2:
The Chargers started the afternoon game much like the morning as they took an early 2-0 advantage. With two outs and Breanne Gleason on first base, Nicole Downs continued her hitting barrage as she crushed a 3-2 fastball over the leftfield fence and off the scoreboard for two RBI's.
Augustana College (0-1) was able to cut the lead in half as they added a run in the bottom of the first to pull within 2-1. Designated hitter Alli Hubers hit a deep sacrifice fly to center to knock in the run.
UNH and the Augies both cooled off as neither team could get any offense going in the second and third innings. Gleason looked more in control in the circle as she sat the Augies down in order during both innings.
The Chargers added to their lead in the top of the fourth after freshman second baseman Sam Minervini ripped a one-out double to right field. Fellow freshman Chelsea Harold moved Minervini to third on a sacrifice bunt. Meg Brown came through with a RBI double as she scored Minervini from third giving UNH a 3-1 lead.
UNH continued to increase the gap (5-1) as they plated two more runs off back-to-back solo homeruns by Downs and Jessica Medina in the top of the fifth inning. The homerun was the second of the game and third of the day for Downs, both are new career-highs.
Augustana got a run back in the bottom of the sixth as Kayla Henke hit a one-out triple to right field. Erin Bohlman then followed up with a single past a diving Downs to drive in Henke, making the score 5-2.
The Chargers were able to add some insurance runs in the top of the seventh as three Chargers crossed home to extend their lead to six (8-2). Medina started it off with a single past third base. Freshman Courtney Garland came in to pinch run for Medina and advanced to second on a single by Meghan Walter. UNH was able to load the bases as Jordanna Borska reached safely at first as the Augie third baseman committed an error. Minervini then blasted a shot to deep center for a sacrifice fly scoring Garland, to get her first RBI as a Charger. Walter attempted to score on a wild pitch but was tagged out at the plate as Borska advanced to second. Freshman Chelsea Harold was able to collect her first collegiate RBI as she reached on an error by the Augie shortstop. Harold closed out the scoring for the Chargers as she stole third and followed it up by crossing the plate on a passed ball.
The Augies tried to start a comeback in the bottom of the inning as Hubers lead off with a solo home run to center field, but it was all Augustana could manage as Gleason got Bohlman to strike out looking to end the contest.
Gleason (1-1) pitched a strong game collecting 12 strikeouts and allowing six hits in her first win of the season. Downs is leading the way for UNH offensively as she is batting .615 with three home runs and seven runs batted in.
The Chargers play again at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17 against Caldwell College and William Woods University, respectively.
