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Syracuse, N.Y. – Right fielder Jen Palase drove in the winning run in the opener and third baseman Lindsay Couturier knocked in four runs in the nightcap to lead the University of New Haven to a sweep of the Le Moyne College softball team on Sunday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. New Haven posted a 1-0 Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division victory in eight innings in the opener and posted a 6-4 non-conference win in game two.
In the opener, the teams played seven scoreless innings before New Haven scored the winning run. Catcher Courtney Reed drew a walk to open the eighth inning and was replaced at first base by pinch-runner Sadie Redman. Following a bunt single by center fielder Brandy Dianno, Redman and Dianno advanced to third and second base, respectively, on a sacrifice bunt by left fielder Meghan Chamoff. After shortstop Christina Gelardi was intentionally walked for the fourth time in three games to load the bases, Palase dropped a bunt in front of the plate to drive in Redman with the winning run.
The Dolphins put runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth, but Nicole Reed recorded a strikeout to end the game.
Junior lefty Sarah Harrison (Canandaigua, N.Y./Cobleskill-Richmondville) suffered the loss after giving up just the one run on only three hits over eight innings, while striking out six batters. Micah Stonesifer earned her second win of the series after tossing seven scoreless innings, while striking out four batters and allowing two hits. King picked up the save by striking out two batters in the eighth inning.
In game two, New Haven scored a run on one hit in the second inning. Designated player Keri Tricinelli led off with a single to right field and was replaced at first base by pinch-runner Kim Raith. After walks by Dianno and Chamoff to load the bases in between two outs, Gelardi was hit by a pitch for the second of three times in the series to force in Raith.
In the fourth inning, the Chargers scored four runs on four hits. Chamoff led off the frame with a single to left field, took second on a single through the left side by Palase and moved to third as Gelardi was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a pop out, Couturier doubled to left center to clear the bases. Following a single up the middle by second baseman Lucy Francisco, Tricinelli lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Couturier.
Le Moyne got the four runs back on four hits and a New Haven error in the bottom of the fourth. Senior center fielder Demetra Kermidas (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) opened the inning by launching a 2-1 pitch over the fence in center field. Senior third baseman Fran Kiernan (Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) followed with a single up the middle and then moved to third on a one-out double to center field by junior pitcher Vanessa Utley (Monroe, Ga./Home School). Following a walk by freshman designated player Meaghan Polge (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesee) to load the bases, freshman first baseman Cara Cawley (Endwell, N.Y./Maine-Endwell) singled up the middle to drive in Kiernan and Utley, while Cawley and Polge moved up a base on a throwing error by the center fielder. Sophomore left fielder Stephanie Ostrander (Gansevoort, N.Y./Schuylerville) followed with a groundout to knock in Polge.
New Haven scored once on two hits in the sixth inning to finish off the game's scoring. Gelardi led off with a single through the left side and then advanced to third on a throwing error by the pitcher as first baseman Jess Spivey reached on a fielder's choice. Couturier then singled up the middle to plate Gelardi.
Utley suffered the loss after yielding five runs on eight hits over four innings in the circle. Brittany Scott picked up the win for the Chargers after striking out three batters over four innings, while giving up four runs (three earned). King earned her second save of the day after tossing three scoreless innings, while striking out four batters.
Le Moyne (10-15, 8-7 NE-10, 4-7 SW) returns to action on Tuesday at Assumption College at 3:00 p.m.
