Syracuse, N.Y. – Catcher Mya Case drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning as the University of New Haven registered an 11-9 win over the Le Moyne College softball in 10 innings on Saturday in Northeast-10 Conference action at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex.

New Haven opened the game's scoring with two runs in the top of the second inning. After third baseman Rachel Crafts reached on an error by the right fielder with one out, right fielder Vanessa Strohm smacked her second home run of the season to left field.

The Dolphins took the lead with six runs in the bottom of the fifth. Senior right fielder Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) and senior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy) singled up the middle to start the inning. After junior first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, N.Y./Red Land) singled in front of the plate to load the bases, junior second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) singled through the left side to drive in Zazzaro and DeRita and force a New Haven pitching change. Following a single by junior catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) to load the bases again and an out, sophomore shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) lifted a sacrifice fly to right to knock in Artley. After junior designated player/pitcher Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) walked to load the bases for the third time, redshirt junior third baseman Chelsie Delperuto (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay/UMBC) singled up the middle to plate McManus and Nicolosi. Zazzaro then doubled to left center to drive in Bellrose with the final run of the inning.

The Chargers began chipping away at their deficit with two runs in the sixth inning. Shortstop Taylor Luzzi led off with a single through the left side and designated player Jovanna Hillman followed by drawing a walk. Following a pair of strikeouts around a hit batsman to load the bases, first baseman Melissa Bike singled through the right side to knock in Luzzi and pinch-runner Sam Errera, but was thrown out advancing to second.

New Haven took the lead in the top of the seventh with three runs. After center fielder Sierra Whitlock and Case singled with one out, Luzzi doubled to right center to plate Whitlock. Errera then singled in front of the plate to knock in Case with the tying run. After a Le Moyne pitching change, Crafts singled down the left field line to drive in Luzzi, while Errera was thrown out at home.

Le Moyne stayed alive with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Delperuto drew a walk with one out and advanced to third on a double to right center by Zazzaro. After DeRita was intentionally walked to load the bases and an Adelphi pitching change, Delperuto raced home on a passed ball.

The Chargers took the lead back with a run in the ninth on two hits. Case led off with a single down the left field line and moved to third on a single to right center by Luzzi. Following a pair of outs, Strohm walked to load the bases. Second baseman Madison Derosia then fouled off four two-strike pitches before walking on the 10th pitch of the at-bat to force in Case.

The Dolphins answered again with a run in the bottom of the frame. With two outs, Zazzaro homered to left field on the seventh pitch of her at-bat.

New Haven took the lead for good with three runs in the 10th. With Bike starting the inning on second base due to the international tie-breaker, Whitlock singled through the right side with one out to move Bike to third. Case then singled to left field to drive in Bike and advance Whitlock to third. Luzzi then lifted a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Whitlock, while Case was able to score following throwing errors by the right fielder and catcher.

Le Moyne scored a run in the bottom of the 10th, but was unable to score again. DeRita opened the frame on second, moved to third on a single down the left field line by Artley and scored on a groundout by McManus. The next two batters were retired to end the game.

Sophomore righty Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) took the loss after yielding six runs (three earned) and seven hits in eighth and two-thirds innings over two stints in the circle, while striking out eight. Zazzaro finished the contest with a career-high four hits, two runs scored and two RBI. Zazzaro's four hits are the most by a Dolphin since Courtney Case '17 also had four against New Haven on April 28, 2017. Ava Fitzmaurice earned the win for the Chargers after tossing seven and two-thirds innings over two stints in the circle, while allowing six runs (five earned) and seven hits and striking out five.
 
Le Moyne (19-15, 11-6 NE10, 9-4 SW) is back on the diamond on Tuesday with a home doubleheader against American International College at 3:00 p.m. The first game of the day will be a Southwest Division game, while the second is a non-conference meeting.