(05-09-09) BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - The University of New Haven softball team defeated No. 23 C.W. Post 2-0 Saturday afternoon and earned a spot in the NCAA Division II East-2 Regional Championship. The Chargers will take on No. 20 Georgian Court University tomorrow at 1 p.m.
The Chargers, who fell 3-1 to Georgian Court earlier on Saturday, will need to beat the Lions twice on Sunday to advance to the NCAA Super Regional next weekend.
After New Haven and pitcher Breanne Gleason retired the first three Pioneers' batters in the first inning, second baseman Courtney Garland hit a two-out homer over the left field fence. The Chargers carried their second 1-0 lead of the weekend over the Pioneers into the sixth inning.
Leading off the sixth for the Chargers was Nicole Downs who singled to left field and advanced to second on a Pioneers error. Meghan Walter then advanced Downs to third with a bunt and Jessica Medina stepped to the plate. Medina laid down the perfect bunt and the Chargers pulled off a successful suicide squeeze to go ahead 2-0.
Gleason then went to work on the heart of the Pioneers lineup. She forced three gound outs, two fly outs and struck out six of the Pioneers final eight batters.
In her second complete game shutout victory of the weekend over C.W. Post, Gleason threw four strikeouts and faced 27 batters.
Garland let the Chargers with two hits in three at-bats. She drove in the game-winning run off her solo homer. Allison Vaughn and Downs each had one hit, while Downs added a run scored.
The Chargers need two more wins against Georgian Court tomorrow to earn the NCAA Division II East-2 Regional Championship. The first game starts at 1 p.m. Live coverage via internet radio and live statistics will be available. Check the live coverage site at www.newhaven.edu/athletics/livecoverage for links.
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