SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Southern Connecticut softball team split in a doubleheader against American International to start off conference play. They lost the first game, 1-0, in 8 innings and won the second, 12-3 in 6 innings. The Owls are now 1-1 in the Northeast-10 and 12-8 overall. AIC is 2-2 in the conference and 6-8 overall.
Karley Austin was 3-for-7 on the day with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a triple. Olivia Young had a monster Game 2 with two home runs and six RBIs. Giselle DeLutri got the win in Game 2, allowing five hits, three runs, and struck out seven.
GAME 1: SCSU 0, AIC 1 (8 Innings)
Cassidy Sullivan, Nadia Cestari (2B), Izzy Ingersoll, and Karley Austin (3B) all had hits for the Owls. Despite the loss, Ashley Lewis allowed six hits, one run, and struck out six.
The Owls had multiple chances to score when they had Olivia Young in scoring position in the 2nd inning, Cestari in the 5th after hitting a one out double, and Austin in the 8th who hit a two out triple before AIC retired the next batter. The Yellow Jackets led off the 8th with a single before stealing second for the next batter knock in the winning run.
GAME 2: SCSU 12, AIC 3 (6 Innings)
Olivia Young went 2-for-2 with six RBIs, two home runs, and two runs scored. Samantha LaFemina was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Nicole Spinelli was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
American International scored in the bottom of the 1st but Southern Connecticut equalized and took the lead in the top of the 3rd. Samantha LaFemina and Izzy Ingersoll started off the inning with back-to-back doubles before Karley Austin hit a sacrifice fly to score LaFemina. Nicole Spinelli then hit a single to right field to score Ingersoll. Rachel Miller then reached on an error by the third baseman and was able to advance to third while Spinelli scored on the play.
The Yellow Jackets tied it back up in the 4th, before the Owls went up by three in the 5th after Olivia Young hit a home run to score herself, Austin, and Cheyenne LaTouche who was pinch running for Spinelli.
In the top of the 6th, LaFemina, pinch-hitter Lorelei Stancavage, and Izzy Ingersoll all loaded the bases for Austin to drive in two runs. Spinelli then hit one up the middle to score Ingersoll. Young then smashed her second home run of the game to add three more to help end the game in six innings.
The Owls will face Assumption and Bentley next weekend while also celebrating Senior Day on Saturday, Apr. 5.
