Downs' Home Run Lifts New Haven Past No. 23 Softball, 1-0
Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (May 8, 2009) – Junior third baseman Nicole Downs (Seymour, Conn.) hit a one-out home run over the left field fence in the top of the third inning to drive in the game's only run as University of New Haven defeated C.W. Post, 1-0, in the first game of the NCAA Div. II Softball East Regional Friday morning at the C.W. Post Softball Complex.
New Haven improves to 33-16 and will play Georgian Court, who took a 4-2 win over Southern Connecticut State University. C.W. Post drops to 33-17 and will face Southern Connecticut at 1:30 p.m.
The Pioneers threatened in the bottom of the fifth when freshman catcher #Kristen Morcone# (Milford, Mass.) led off with a double to left field. Freshman Lindsey Trotto pinch ran and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from junior right fielder Amanda Aiello (Charlton, Mass.). The Chargers got out of the jam when junior centerfielder Melissa Medina (Levittown, N.Y.) grounded out to third senior first baseman Ashley Marchese (Patchogue, N.Y.) lined out to end the inning.
In the seventh inning, Morcone singled up the middle with two outs but that was all the damage C.W. Post would do as Aiello struck out swinging to end the game.
Downs batted 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored for New Haven. Morcone led the Pioneers with two hits.
Junior Breanne Gleason (Bristol, Conn.) earned her 33rd win of the season, scattering four hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts.
Sophomore pitcher Sarah Kiser (Cooper City, Fla.) matched her season-high by striking out 14 Chargers and scattering seven hits over seven innings.