NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Holy Cross softball team dropped a pair of games to nonconference foe Central Connecticut State in their home opener falling 5-0 in game one before rallying in the seventh frame in game two coming up just short by a 2-1 score.

The two wins keep the host Blue Devils undefeated early in the year at 6-0 while the pair of losses send the Crusaders to 0-2. 

Sophomore Anna Brait carried over her reached base streak from last season and extended it to 16 games with a walk in the fourth inning of game one and a walk in the third inning of game two.

Freshman Ava Gambichler was 3-for-4 in game two with a double, an RBI and a stolen base. Senior Claire McCann bopped a pair of doubles in a 2-for-3 effort.
 
GAME ONE: BLUE DEVILS 5, CRUSADERS 0 (FINAL)
 
STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Kaylee Whittaker: W, (3-0), complete game shutout, 13 strikeouts, two walks.  
• Sophomore Sophia Roncone: L, (0-1), 5.0 innings pitched, four hits allowed, four earned runs, seven strikeouts.

IN RELIEF:

• Freshman Avery Toddings: 1.0 innings pitched, three hits allowed, earned run, strikeout.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Paige Stringer: 2-for-3, two runs scored.
• Reagan Vunak: 1-for-3, run scored.
• Ava Cino: 2-for-3, home run, two RBI, run scored.
• Kassandra Machado: 1-for-3, home run, two RBI, run scored.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• With two away in the bottom of the first, CCSU lofted a two-run homer to take the lead.
• Roncone responded by striking five of the first six batters of the game.
• Brait worked a walk giving the Crusaders their first base runner in the top of the fourth, but she was stranded at first.
• Another two-run long ball to left field tacked on insurance in the fourth inning for the Blue Devils as their lead expanded to 4-0.
• A single up the middle plated another run for the hosts.

 
GAME TWO: BLUE DEVILS 2, CRUSADERS 1 (FINAL):
 
STARTING IN THE CIRCLE:

• Adrianna Green: ND, 3.0 innings pitched, hit allowed, two walks, two strikeouts.
• Senior Megan Yurchick: L, (0-1), 1.0 innings pitched, zero hits allowed, three walks, earned run.

IN RELIEF:

• Liz Hamilton: W, (3-0), 4.0 innings pitched, four hits allowed, earned run, six strikeouts.
• Freshman Maya Gallagher: 5.0 innings pitched, five hits allowed, earned run, eight strikeouts.

STEPPING TO THE PLATE:

• Ava Gambichler: 2-for-4, double, RBI, stolen base.
• Senior Claire McCann, 2-for-3, two doubles, run scored.
• Ava Cino: 1-for-3, double, walk.
• Paige Stringer 1-for-4, RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A pair of walks coupled with a steal and a fielder's choice brought in the opening run of the game for CCSU.
• McCann went the opposite way for a double, but the pinch runner couldn't tie the game in the top of the second.
• Holy Cross threatened in the third when Yurchick walked and reached third on a wild pitch. The Crusaders tried to sneak a runner home, but was thrown out. Runners at first and third were stranded as well.
• An RBI ground out by the hosts expanded their lead to 2-0 in bottom of the third.
• CCSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but couldn't get an insurance run across.
• In the seventh, McCann led off pulling a two-bagger to right, she advanced to third on a ground out with one down. Yurchick singled to first putting runners at the corners with one out. With two away, Gambichler legged out an infield single making it a 2-1 game before Hamilton got the game ending strikeout.

 
DUE UP:

• The Crusaders hit the road for the NSU-Hampton Classic beginning Saturday, March 2 at Norfolk State.
• First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.

 
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