by Daniel Fappiano
After playing in the Fayetteville, Arkansas-based Razorback Invitational, the CCSU Blue Devils traveled to Clearwater, Florida to take part in the Under Armour Showcase. Central faced five teams in three days before heading back to Connecticut for a match-up with Yale.
Their schedule was shortened due to two games, being postponed due to weather.
In the showcase, Central took on Western Michigan, Rider, South Dakota State, Chattanooga and Lehigh, losing every game besides their matchup with Rider. The Blue Devils were able to pick up another win when they returned to their home state against Yale.
While they only went 2-5 for the week, every game Central played was close. Their largest loss was by just four runs, with every other game being decided by two or less.
Against Western Michigan, the Broncos were able to use a three-run third inning to come away with a 4-3 win. After Ashley Antonazzo lasted just two innings, Emily Sargent pitched well in relief, allowing just one run over four innings for Central. Senior co-captain Lex Debrosse hit a home run, while Emily Cronin had two runs batted in.
CCSU hit a walk-off in extra innings against Rider after Tori Constantain hit a single, with Sydney Bolan scoring and winning the game 3-2. Sargent again pitched well, allowing just two runs over eight innings and walking just one. The Blue Devils had three stolen bases, including two from Debrosse.
Despite their win against Rider the day before, the team struggled against South Dakota State, losing 2-0. Despite strong pitching from Alex Casanas and Sargent, the Blue Devils mustered up just three hits, while striking out five times.
Central fared much better against Chattanooga, although still came away with a 7-5 loss in extra innings.
The Blue Devils looked strong early, scoring four in the third inning; however, the Mocs were able to come back, scoring four in the sixth and two in the eighth to steal the victory.
All of CCSU’s scoring came from co-captain Brittany Camara and Giana Hathaway, who had two and three runs batted in, respectively. Hathaway had a solo home run on the day.
The Blue Devils rounded out the showcase with a 5-1 loss to Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks used a three-run sixth inning to down CCSU. Again, Central struggled with the bats, getting just four hits. Their only run came via error.
While they earned just one win in Florida, Central ended their week strong, defeating Yale 4-3. After entering the seventh tied, Kerri Dadalski singled, scoring Kristen Ulmer. The Blue Devils were able to hold tight and come away with the win. Both Camara and Bolan were strong at the plate, hitting three and two doubles, respectively.
Central now sits at 5-12 overall for the season with a conference game yet to be played. The team is hitting .243 for the season while pitching to a 3.61 earned run average. Debrosse leads the team with two home runs and 10 RBIs, with Sargent leading the pitching staff with a 2-5 record and a 3.68 earned run average over her team-high 57 innings.
The Blue Devils will next travel to New Jersey to take on Seton Hall before returning home to face Quinnipiac, Manhattan and Iona. Their match-up against the Bobcats will mark their first home game of the season.