Chargers Sweep Last Two Games in Florida

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Chargers Sweep Last Two Games in Florida

Article Body: (03-20-08)
Box Score vs. Holy Family
Box Score vs. Philadelphia
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The University of New Haven (5-5) softball team finished strong at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida grabbing wins over Holy Family University and Philadelphia University. The Chargers needed ninth-inning heroics from Breanne Gleason (photo) as she hit a two-run home run to give UNH the victory over Holy Family 5-3. In the night-cap the Chargers exploded offensively in the lopsided 9-0 win as they defeated Philadelphia University for the second time this week.

Game 1: New Haven 5, Holy Family University 3 (9 Innings)

In a classic low-scoring pitchers dual, Charger ace Breanne Gleason provided the necessary offense to break a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run home run over the left-field fence. Gleason and Holy Family pitcher Jody Searfoss went the entire way as both collected 11 strikeouts during the two-and-a-half hour contest.

Holy Family was able to plate the first run of the game in the top of the third inning by stringing together two singles and a double. Gleason proceeded to strike out the next two batters to end the inning.

The Chargers were able to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth as Holy Family committed two errors allowing pinch-runner Courtney Garland to come around and score.

Neither team could push the go-ahead run across over the next three innings as the contest went into extra frames. With the International tie-breaker rule in effect, the hitting team starts the inning with a runner on second base.

In the top of the eighth, Holy Family was able to get a sacrifice bunt down moving a runner to third and into scoring position. With two outs, Kristilyn Obert singled down the left-field line to plate the go-ahead run. Following the third out the Chargers came up in the bottom half needing a run to tie and extend the game.

UNH was able to move its runner into scoring position, as Meg Brown moved to third base as Nicole Downs put down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. Jordanna Borska then came to the plate and drove a deep fly to left driving in the tying run and sending the game into the ninth inning.

Holy Family took the lead again in the top of the ninth-inning when they were able to load the bases following a walk and a fielder's choice bunt situation. Pinch-hitter Francesca Garzio came to the plate and like Borska before her hit a deep fly ball to left-field good enough for a sacrifice fly and the lead, 3-2. But the biggest play of the game followed as Gleason got Dolores Brown to hit into a double-play to end the inning and keep the margin at one.

The Chargers once again entered the extra inning down by a run, needing to score to extend the game or take the victory. Freshman Lizzy Robinson started on second and advanced to third after a groundout by junior Carolyn Fruin. After a strike-out, Holy Family found itself one-out away from the win but a error by the second baseman allowed Robinson to score and tie the game.

With new found life, the Chargers then looked to Gleason for the win and she answered with a game-ending two-run home run over the left-field fence.

With the win Gleason moves to 3-2 on the season with 43 strikeouts, in 32.2 innings pitched.

Game 2: New Haven 9, Philadelphia University 0 (5 innings)

In the last game of their Florida trip the Chargers got out to an early 2-0 lead on their way to a 9-0 win over Philadelphia University and head back to Connecticut with a 5-5 record. UNH was lead by Borska and sophomore Meghan Walter as they both drove in 3 runs in the victory.

The Chargers struck first as Gleason lead off the top of the first with a walk followed by a RBI double to left-center by Brown to give UNH a 1-0 advantage. Borska was then able to plate Brown with a single to left-field and extend the lead to 2-0.

UNH also scored two runs in the second as Fruin led-off with a single up the middle. Fruin came around to score as Downs got out of her mini-slump and singled up the middle. Borska followed that up with another single and scored Brown from third.

The Chargers had their big inning during the top of the fourth as they plated five runs with two-outs and giving them a 9-0 advantage. Gleason started it off with a single through the left side, followed by Brown's single to left. Downs then singled up the middle to load the bases for Borska. Borska came through again with another RBI single scoring Gleason. Walter picked up her three RBI's next as she ripped a double to the right field fence, emptying the bases. Walter later scored on an error giving the Chargers their 5-run inning.

Brown completed the five innings and collected her first win of the 2008 season. Brown struck out five batters and now has 30 strike outs for the year.
Game Place: Neutral
Opponent: Holy Family (9)
Conference Game?: No
Team Score: 5
Opponent Score: 3
Game Time: 3/20/2008 5:20 PM
Tags: softball, scoreboard, athletic-news
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Posted by Athletic Media Relations on 3/20/2008 5:20:00 PM

Chargers Sweep Last Two Games in Florida

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Chargers Sweep Last Two Games in Florida

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