(04-18-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn - The University of New Haven softball team defeated visiting Pace University on Strike Out Cancer Day in both ends of a doubleheader to improve to 24-12 overall and 16-6 in the Northeast-10 Conference this season. The Chargers took game one with a 3-2 score and game two 8-0 in five innings. The Setters fall to 16-17 overall and 10-6 in the conference.
Prior to Saturday's doubleheader, UNH junior pitcher received the ball she threw as she broke the Chargers' career strikeout record earlier in the week. Photo on the left of Gleason (left) and head coach Jen Starek (right).
Game One
The Chargers put their first three batters on base in the bottom of the 1st as Nicole Downs doubled off the fence in right-center field before Meghan Walter drew a walk and Breanne Gleason singled to score Downs from second. New Haven had runners on second and third with no outs but was unable to push across another run and led 1-0 after one inning.
In the 3rd inning, the Chargers used three singles to score their second run of the game. Samantha Minervini's RBI shot past the shortstop brought home Walter from second to give New Haven a two-run lead.
That lead evaporated in the top of the 4th when the Setters scored twice to even the game at 2-2.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the 6th inning when Chelsea Harold started the inning with a single to left field and advanced all the way to third base as the ball bounced away from the left fielder. She came around to score what proved to be winning run on a wild pitch.
Gleason picked up her 22nd win of the season, pitching a complete game with seven strikeouts and just one walk. At the plate, Gleason went 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Harold finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored, while Downs and Walter both had one hit and one run scored.
Game Two
Just as they did in game on, the Chargers scored first as Downs again led off the game with a hit. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a sacrifice by Walter. Downs then came home on a wild pitch to put New Haven ahead 1-0.
Harold led off the bottom of the 3rd inning with an infield single. Downs came to the plate next and perfectly executed a hit and run with a double to bring home Harold from first base. The Chargers took advantage of a passed ball as Downs scored from second on the Setters' miscue to take a 3-0 lead.
After a run in the 4th inning, New Haven busted the game open with a four-run 5th to put the game out of reach. Harold had a two RBI single that scored Courtney Garland and Minervini, and then Downs hit an RBI single to center field to give the Chargers an 8-0 win by mercy rule.
Downs went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Jessica Medina finished 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Harold was also a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs and one run scored.
Gleason allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out six in her second complete game of the day. She improved to 23-12 on the season with 25 complete games.
The Chargers return to action tomorrow, April 19 when they play a home doubleheader against Southern Connecticut State University. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.
Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
