(3-19-08)
Box Score vs. Dominican
Box Score vs. Nebraska-Omaha
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The University of New Haven (3-5) softball team looked well rested during their 10-2 win over Dominican College (1-8), but could not put together enough offense in a loss to #5-ranked University of Nebraska-Omaha (13-3), 5-3.
Game 1: New Haven 10, Dominican College 2
Sophomore pitcher Breanne Gleason led the Chargers to a 10-2 win, going a perfect 2 for 2 at the plate with a 2-run home run and a double as she also picked up her second win of the season. Nicole Downs (1 RBI) and Meghan Walter (2 RBI's) joined Gleason by picking up two hits a piece as well. Jessica Medina was the third Charger to pick up 2 RBI's in the victory.
The Chargers took control of the contest in the bottom of the third plating three runs. Meg Brown led off the inning by reaching on an error by the Dominican centerfielder and advancing to second. Gleason then stepped into the box and drive a home run over the left field fence to give UNH a 2-0 advantage. Downs followed with a single through the left side and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Catcher Jordanna Borska kept the offense moving with a single of her own, knocking in Downs and giving the Chargers a 3-0 lead.
The bottom of the fifth inning, UNH struck for two more runs as Gleason started it off with her second hit, a double down the left field line. Downs was awarded first base after being hit by a pitch. Gleason was able to move to third on a Borska sacrifice fly and Downs got into scoring position by stealing second. Walter then got a hold of her second hit as she laced a ground-rule double under the fence and plated Gleason and Downs.
Dominican College looked to close the gap in the top of the sixth as the Chargers were able to plate two runs off of two hits. UNH though had the answer in the bottom of the frame as the Chargers stormed back scoring five times and extending their lead to eight runs, giving them the six-inning victory. The scoring spurt all started with a Carolyn Fruin triple to the right field fence. Fruin was able to score as the Dominican third baseman made a throwing error. The big blow in the inning came as Medina single hard up the middle knocking in two runs and ending the game.
Gleason looked strong in the circle, striking out eight, as she pitched five strong innings of two-hit softball. Freshman Hannah Everson came into the contest in the top of the sixth in relief of Gleason and finished off the game for UNH.
Game 2: #5 University of Nebraska-Omaha 5, New Haven 3
The Chargers could not stop the two, and three hitters of the University of Nebraska-Omaha line-up as they went a combined 7 of 8, knocking in four runs and leading the Mavericks to a 5-3 victory. Third baseman Leslie Svoboda led the way as she went a perfect 4 for 4 with two doubles, a stolen base and three RBI's. The Mavericks number two hitter, Alison Jergenson was just as effective going 3 for 4 scoring three runs and driving in another.
UNH looked to jump out early on the Mavericks as they were able to load the bases in the top of the first following a two-out double by Downs and back-to-back walked to Medina and Brown. But the Chargers were unable to cash in. In the bottom of the inning, UNO was able to punch a run across to take an early 1-0 lead. It was Jergenson getting an infield single and stealing second base to give Svoboda the opportunity to knock her in with her first double of the game.
UNO got two more runs in the bottom of the third inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Once again it was Jergenson starting it off with a one-out triple to left field, followed by another RBI double by Svoboda.
The Chargers got right back into the game in the top of the fourth as they were able to close the margin to 3-2 heading into the bottom of the frame. Freshman Lizzy Robinson started it off with a one-out single down the left field line. After a Fruin walk, Denise Castelli reached on an error allowing Robinson to score. Gleason then followed with slicing double to left field scoring Fruin and sending Castelli to third. Borska had an opportunity to tie the game put a leaping catch from the UNO first baseman ended the inning.
The Mavericks were able to get back the two runs from the top of the inning as Ashley Lynch had a bunt single to third and came across to score after a Jergenson single up the middle. Svoboda got her third hit and third RBI of the day on the following play as she knocked in Jergenson with a single, giving the Mavericks a 5-2 advantage.
UNH would add another run in the top of the sixth with sophomore Gabby Cruz hitting her first home run of the season getting the Chargers to within 5-3, the final score.
Both teams used two pitchers in the outing as the Mavericks started with Melissa Negrete, who pitched four quality innings striking out seven Chargers for the win. Freshman left-hander Beth Haley came in to finish off UNH as she also struck out seven Chargers. Meg Brown (four strike outs) started in the circle for UNH but only lasted two and two-thirds of an inning as she was relieved by freshman Hannah Everson. Everson showed the Mavericks a different pitch speed and was able to keep the Chargers close the rest of the way.
The Chargers will be in action again tomorrow, March 20, as they play their last two games in Kissimmee, Florida. UNH will face Holy Family University at 1:00 p.m. and close out their trip with Philadelphia University at 5:00 p.m.
