Edward Rudman – Sports Writer
Softball split its doubleheader against University of New Haven on Senior Day Saturday, April 24 at Pelz Field. UNH won the first game 2-1 in a close affair, but the Owls found their offensive rythem in the second matchup, winning 5-1 and snapping the Chargers’ 13 game win streak.
The Owls are now 13-9 overall and 10-8 in Northeast 10 Conference matchups, while UNH moved to 19-5 overall and 14-4 in the NE 10.
“It was nice to get a victory in that last game,” said infielder Sara Buscetto, a graduate student. “Today was a great day and it was really special and we got the win, which was huge.”
The doubleheader was the last two home games of the regular season, meaning this was potentially the last time seniors and graduate students would play in front of the home fans at Pelz Field, depending on what happens in the postseason.
The first game of the afternoon saw a defensive battle ensue, as the final score was 2-1. The Owls jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning when outfielder Cailey Botteon scored by capitalizing on a throwing error by the Chargers.
UNH was able to tie the game up at one a piece in the third, also scoring off an error. They eventually took the lead at 2-1 later on in the inning. The defense stepped up for both sides after the third and neither team was able to put up any more runs for the rest of the game.
The second game saw a continuation of the defensive effort by the Owls in the first and a solid offensive outing.
The Owls once again jumped out to the early lead in the first inning, this time putting up three runs. UNH was unable to respond until the top of the fifth inning when they scored their only run of the game.
In what could have been a momentum- changing fifth inning, the Owls responded right back with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth, making the game 4-1 when Botteon scored off of a single from infielder Jayden Delaporta, a senior from Mystic.
The Owls did not let up on the Chargers following the fifth, as Morgan Tuscano, a sophomore, notched a solo home run deep to left field in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 5-1, the game’s final score.
“I think the first time they saw us they didn’t get to see what team we actually are and then this time we actually came out and showed them what we got,” said Botteon.
The last time the Owls played UNH, they were swept in a four- game weekend series in a performance that the team did not feel accurately depicted their level of play this season. Prior to the second game loss, UNH had been on a 13-game win streak that started on April 5.
The Owls had not been able to beat the Chargers since a 3-0 victory on April 10, 2018, according to the university’s athletic website.
Looking ahead for the Owls, playoffs are right around the corner and the Owls have six games remaining on their regular season schedule, all away. They are currently sitting third in the NE10 southwest division standings, behind Adelphi and UNH.
“Everyone’s stepping up and doing their part so come postseason, we’re all in good shape,” said pitcher Jazmyn Martinez, a senior. “There’s no nervous energy at this point of the season, we got it all out. We’re just here to win.”
