Game one box score
Game two box score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Southern Connecticut State University softball team cruised in game one behind a strong outing from freshman Jayme Larson (Aurora, Colo.), however could not hold on in game two at American International on Wednesday evening. The Owls routed the Yellowjackets 12-0 in the first meeting, but fell short 7-6 in extra innings in the second game. With the split, Southern improved to 20-6, 9-3 in Northeast-10 competition.

Southern Connecticut's offense wasted very little time in game one, as the team put up a five spot on the scoreboard at Groff Field. Juniors Megan Caporossi (Northford, Conn.) and Khristle Lee (Aztec, N.M.) led off the game with back-to-back walks for the Owls. After a wild pitch advanced the runners 60 feet, senior co-captain Brittany Gandley (Holbrook, N.Y.) knocked in the first run with an RBI single up the middle.

Kerry Iacomini (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) followed Gandley with a walk, bringing junior Robin Priest (Cheshire, Conn.) to the plate with the bases loaded. Priest worked a two-out walk forcing in the second run of the game with freshman Jessica Rosa (Wallingford, Conn.) waiting in the on-deck circle. Rosa punched a three-run double to the left center wall, closing out a five run inning for the Owls.

The run support in the first inning would be all that starting pitcher Larson would need. Larson tossed a complete game, one hit shutout for her seventh win of the season. Larson recorded two strikeouts and did not allow a hit after the bottom half of the first inning.

The Owls offense came back to life in the top of the fifth inning, tagging the Yellowjackets for seven more runs. Iacomini closed out game one going 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Rosa finished 2-for-2 with four RBI and one run scored, leading the way to victory.

Game two of the doubleheader began just the way game one had started earlier. The Owls offense tacked on six runs in the first four innings of play, controlling a 6-1 advantage. Senior Christina Wolf (Newtown, Conn.) went 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Lee, Gandley and Shawna Mallory (Simi Valley, Calif.) each recorded an RBI early on.

However, the Yellowjackets chipped away in the bottom of the fifth with one run and then tacked on four in the seventh, sending the game into extra innings. Later on in the bottom of the ninth inning, a hit-by-pitch and two singles pushed the game-winning run across the plate for the Yellowjackets to complete the dramatic comeback.

Southern is back in action on April 10 with a doubleheader against Pace at Pelz Field. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.