Game One Boxscore

Game Two Boxscore

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Junior Kristin Whitley (North Andover, Mass.) keyed a 23-hit offensive attack for the No. 22 nationally ranked Southern Connecticut State University softball team in a doubleheader against St. Michael's on Sunday. She finished 6-for-7 with three RBI and three runs scored as the Owls swept a twinbill from the Purple Knights by scores of 10-1 and 10-2.

Southern Connecticut improved to 21-3 overall and 9-3 in Northeast-10 Conference play. The Purple Knights are now 3-15, 1-9 in league play.

St. Michael's scored first in the opener before the Owls answered with four runs in the bottom of the second. Jessica Rosa (Wallingford, Conn.), Alyssa Pagano (Monroe, Conn.) and Stacy Pouliot (Mystic, Conn.) all singled to load the bases. Shawna Mallory (Simi Valley, Calif.) laced a single to score Rosa, and Pagano came in to score after a misplay by the St. Michael's left fielder. One out later, Nicole Buch (Darien, Conn.) singled to drive in another run before Whitley capped the scoring by driving in Brittany Bucko (Wallington, N.J.) in reaching on an error.



The Owls added three more runs in the third. Kate Hoffman (Orange, Conn.) singled to start the inning. One out later, Pouliot singled to put two runners on. After a groundout moved up both runners, Mallory came through with a single to plate Hoffman. A double steal allowed Pouliot to cross the plate safely before Bucko launched a two-run homer to left center to make it 8-1.

SCSU scored two runs in the fourth to extend its lead to 10-1. Whitley tripled to open the frame and came in when Hoffman's flare into right center was dropped after a collision between two Purple Knights. Pouliot followed with a RBI double to push the lead to nine runs.

Christina Boehn (Stamford, Conn.) improved to 2-1 on the year with a strong effort in the circle. She scattered six hits in five innings of work.

The Owls fell behind again in the nightcap before storming back. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Buch reached on an error with one out. She stole second and Whitley promptly knocked a single up the middle to tie the game. Alyssa Downs (Seymour, Conn.) put the Owls in front for good with a two-run, opposite field shot that made it 3-1.

The Purple Knights cut the deficit to 3-2 with a run in the fourth before the Owls put up a four-spot in their half of the inning.  Bucko doubled with one out and Buch followed with a walk. Whitley then connected for a RBI single and moved to second on the throw. Buch and Whitley then scored when Downs delivered a sharp grounder which eluded the Purple Knights shortstop. Downs later came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Hoffman.

The Owls then walked off with the win in the fifth. Buch drove in the first run with a RBI single and Whitley followed with a RBI double. The final run came in when Hoffman walked with the bases loaded.



Jayme Larson (Aurora, Colo.) worked the first four innings to pick up the win and move to 10-1 on the year.

SCSU is back in action on Tuesday for a road doubleheader at AIC.