Box Score

MANCHESTER, N.H. - The Southern Connecticut State University softball team fell just short and was defeated by Adelphi, 2-0, in the semifinals of the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament on Friday from Penmen Field in Manchester, N.H.

SCSU will now wait for a possible berth for the NCAA Tournament next week.

Kelsey Cockrill (Haymarket, Va.) got the loss for the No. 3 SW seed SCSU (31-20) going six innings while allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Laurin Watts got the win for the No. 1 SW seed Adelphi (37-17) going a complete game of seven innings while allowing no runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

The Owls had runners in scoring position throughout the game, but Adelphi had the first legitimate scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third inning. With one out and runners at the corners, the Owls got two very crucial outs on a double steal attempt, throwing out Emily Dorko going to second and then Kayla Rieger at home to end the threat.

SCSU had its best scoring chance in the sixth after a lead-off single from Brittany Bucko (Wallington, N.J.) would later move her to third with two outs. Kaley Marden (Fremont, Calif.) lined out to the pitcher to end the threat.

Bucko led the Owls with one hit and two walks in the game.

In the sixth, Adelphi scored its only two runs of the game that would be the difference. With runners on first and second and no outs, Amy Caird then put Adelphi on the board with an RBI bunt single, scoring the lead runner, Rieger, from second base. Victoria Wink then made it 2-0 in the next at-bat with an RBI single to left. Adelphi had a chance for some more runs, but the Owls were able to limit the damage in the inning going to the last inning.

The Owls brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but could not score to end the game and give Adelphi the win and moved to the championship round on Saturday.