NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Southern Connecticut State University softball defeated Queens, 3-2 and 6-2, in a non-conference doubleheader at Pelz Field. With the twin bill sweep, the Owls improved to 8-6 overall. 

Karley Austin was 5-for-6 with three stolen bases in the doubleheader that included a 2-for-3 day in the first game and a 3-for-3 outing in the nightcap. Izzy Ingersoll drove in three runs in the doubleheader and Jordan Chamberlain collected three hits. Nadia Cestari was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored in the second game. On the mound, Moira Collins and Giselle DeLutri picked up wins while Ashley Lewis and Kate Nickerson both had saves.  



GAME 1- SCSU 3, Queens 2 
Izzy Ingersoll was 1-for-4 with two RBI while Karley Austin was 2-for-3. Gianna Iaquinto also drove in a run. On the mound, Moira Collins improved to 2-0 after holding Queens to two runs on five hits over five innings. Ashley Lewis picked up the save after pitching two perfect innings, with two strikeouts, in relief.  

In the second inning, Iaquinto walked to lead off the inning but was retired on a dropped fly ball in shallow right field that allowed Jordan Chamberlain to reach. After a Southern batter popped up for the second out, Olivia Young walked to put runners on first and second. Nadia Cestari then hit one back to the mound and reached for an infield single to load the bases before Ingersoll laced a line drive to left-center to score Chamberlain and Young and give the Owls a 2-0 lead.  

In the third, Brianna Pearson led off with a double and went to third on Austin's single through the left side of the infield. Iaquinto then hit a deep fly ball to right to score Pearson and give Southern a 3-0 lead. Queens struck for two runs in the 5th before Lewis entered in the sixth and shutdown the Knights offense.  

Game 2 – SCSU 6, Queens 2 
Southern rolled to a 6-2 win against the Knights in the second half of the doubleheader. Austin was 3-for-3 with a RBI, run scored and three stolen bases. Cestari was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored while Ingersoll, Iaquinto and Chamberlain all drove in runs. Giselle DeLutri improved to 2-2 on the year after holding Queens to one run on five hits over four innings while striking out six. Kate Nickerson picked upt he save with one run allowed over three innings.  

Southern struck early with a run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Ingersoll led off with a walk after a nine-pitch at-bat and then went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Iaquinto. After Pearson lined out to first, Austin singled to right to score Ingersoll and give Southern a 1-0 lead. Southern added another run after Chamberlain and Cestari led off with back-to-back hits before Samantha LaFemina walked to load the bases. Chamberlain was retired on the fielder's choice before Iaquinto worked a four-pitch walk to force Cestari home.  

After Queens plated a run in the top of the 3rd, Southern pushed four runs across in the bottom half of the inning. Austin singled and then went to second on Cheyenne LaTouche's sacrifice bunt. Chamberlain then singled home Austin from second before Young singled and went to second on a throwing error while Chamberlain moved to third. Cestari then doubled to left to push both runs across and give Southern a 5-1 lead. Following a wild pitch, Ingersoll drove Cestari home with a double to give the Owls a five-run lead, 6-1. 

Southern is scheduled to travel to Manchester, N.H. for a four-game series against Saint Anselm on Mar. 28-29. With the forecast uncertain, Owls fans should refer to SCSUOwls.com for schedule updates.