(04-19-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven softball team swept the Southern Connecticut State University Owls Sunday at the UNH softball field. The Chargers won the opening game 8-2 and Nicole Downs hit a walk-off three-run homer in the second game to give the Chargers a 3-0 victory. With the pair of wins the Chargers improve to 26-12 overall and 18-6 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The two losses drop the Owls to 25-11 overall and 14-8 in the NE-10.
Game One
After the Owls threatened in the top of the 1st inning and came up empty, the Chargers used the long ball to jump ahead in the bottom of the inning. Samantha Minervini walked and Breanne Gleason singled to put two runners on, and Jessica Medina hit a home run to deep center field to put New Haven in front, 3-0.
That score remained until the top of the 5th when the Owls got on the board with one run to cut their deficit to 3-1.
The Chargers responded in the bottom of the inning as Amy Nepi and Chelsea Harold hit back-to-back singles to start inning, and Downs doubled to left-center field to score the two runners. New Haven added one more run to go ahead 6-1 after five innings.
Southern Connecticut State pushed across one run in the top of the 6th, but the Chargers answered again - this time with two runs to take an 8-2 advantage and close out the scoring for the game.
Gleason pitched a complete game and allowed just two runs and five hits while striking out four batters. She was also 2-for 4 at the plate with one RBI and one run scored.
Harold finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Medina went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
Game Two
The second game of the day started as a pitching duel with neither team able to get on the board through six innings despite both having multiple opportunities - the Owls left seven runners on base and the Chargers six through the 6th inning.
Gleason worked another scoreless inning in the top of the 7th, capping the frame with her third strikeout of the game.
In the Chargers' half of the 7th inning, Allison Vaughn led off with a single to put the winning run on base. After Gabby Cruz successfully sacrificed Vaughn to second base, Harold singled to left field to put runners at the corners with one out. Downs came to bat next and showed bunt at the first pitch before taking a ball. Three pitches later, she was swinging away when she belted the walk-off three-run home run to give the Chargers the 3-0 victory.
Gleason picked up her 25th win of the season, scattering five hits and two walks while allowing no runs for her ninth shutout of the season.
Downs finished 2-for-4 on the game while Vaughn also had a multi-hit game as she went 2-for-3.
The Chargers return to action at home on Wednesday, April 22 when they take on Stonehill College in a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
