Box Score

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior pitcher Jayme Larson (Aurora, Colo.) hurled a complete-game three-hitter and classmate Shawna Mallory (Simi Valley, Calif.) knocked in the only run of the game with a second inning single to lift the No. 18 nationally ranked Southern Connecticut State University softball team to a 1-0 win over Assumption on Friday afternoon in NCAA East Regional action.

The Owls, the top seed in the region, improved to 38-10 on the year and will play No. 5 UMass-Lowell in a winners' bracket game on Saturday at 11 a.m. Assumption, the No. 8 seed in the region, is now 33-17 and will play No. 4 Caldwell in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

It was a game that featured scoring chances for both clubs, but just one run combined. The Owls made the most of their opportunity in the bottom of the second inning. Kate Hoffman (Orange, Conn.) walked to lead off the inning before Jessica Rosa (Wallingford, Conn.) cracked a double down the left field line. Then, with two outs, Mallory lofted a single over the head of the third baseman to drive in Hoffman for a 1-0 lead.



From there, Larson was able to keep the Greyhounds off the board. Assumption put the tying run on second base in both the fourth and fifth innings, but was unable to score. The Owls had a runner in scoring position in the third and sixth innings, but also couldn't extend their lead.

The final threat by Assumption came in the top of the seventh. A leadoff double and a walk put the go-ahead run on base. Hoffman then snared a liner for the first out before Larson induced a fielders' choice to keep runners on first and second with two outs. After a wild pitch and a walk to load the bases, Larson went to a full count on the final batter before forcing a pop-up to Hoffman to end it.

Larson improved to 21-3 overall with the win. She matched her own SCSU single-season wins record with the triumph.