Walk-Off Home Run for the Chargers on Thursday.
#2 SW New Haven 4, #3 NE Merrimack 3 - Box Score
MANCHESTER, N.H. – It came down to a single pitch and there was no doubt about it as it left the bat as senior right fielder Vanessa Strohm went yard just left of center for the walk-off victory as the No.2 SW New Haven softball team defeated No. 3 NE Merrimack to advance to the Northeast-10 Conference Championship semifinal.
Strohm's home run was one of two hits as the led the Chargers at the plate going 2-for-2 with a walk. Overall the Chargers scattered six hits off of Merrimack's starter Jenna Wike as sophomore designated player Jovanna Hillman joined her with a pair of hits. Senior short stop Taylor Luzzi and freshman third baseman Rachel Crafts also finished with a hit on the day while senior Madison Derosia picked up an RBI on the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
In the circle, freshman Mia Iodice earned the victory, throwing 4.1 innings of relief to pick up her 10th victory of the season. Iodice surrendered a single run on five hits while striking out four batters, one in each of the full innings that she threw. Fellow classmate Ava Fitzmaurice started the game for New Haven, allowing a pair of runs off of six hits in 2.2 innings of work.
#4 SW Pace 3, #2 NE Southern New Hampshire 1 - Box Score
Hooksett, N.H. – Facing a win or go home situation, the Pace softball team earned a 3-1 victory over Southern New Hampshire in the quarterfinals of the Northeast 10 Conference Tournament on Thursday.
The Setters, who have now won 14 of their last 15 games, advance to Friday's semifinal round where they will face off with top-seeded Adelphi at 12:30 p.m.
In similar fashion to Tuesday's first-round win in over Le Moyne, Pace was led by a dominant pitching outing from junior Emma Bernet. The right-hander allowed just two hits in her second straight complete-game gem.
Tied 1-1 with two outs and no one on in the seventh, the Setters found a way to rally. Junior Emma Schafer sparked things with a double to right before Arielle Acosta walked.With runners on first and second, Emma Carruth singled to right field to give Pace a 2-1 lead.
Briana Ryan would then follow with another base hit, providing some insurance that a dominant Bernet would not need. In fact, Bernet retired the final 11 batters she faced.The Setters' first run of the game came in the third off an RBI single from Annie Carberry to score Carruth.
MOVING ON! @UNHChargers �� gets a walk-off HR from Vanessa Strohm to advance to the NE10 semifinals - along with @PaceUAthletics today! #NE10EMBRACE pic.twitter.com/bdgYZGW6CE
— The NE10 (@TheNortheast10) May 2, 2019
NE10 Softball Championship Schedule
Tuesday, April 30th
First-Round
Game 1: #3 NE Merrimack 5, #4 NE Assumption 3
Game 2: #4 SW Pace 4, #3 SW Le Moyne 1
Championship Weekend (to be hosted by Saint Anselm, #1 seed, Northeast Division)
Thursday, May 2nd
Game 3: #2 SW New Haven 4, #3 NE Merrimack 3
Game 4: #4 SW Pace 3, #2 NE Southern New Hampshire 1
Friday, May 3rd
Game 5: #2 SW New Haven vs. #1 NE Saint Anselm (10:00 AM)
Game 6: #4 SW Pace vs. #1 SW Adelphi (12:00 PM)
Saturday, May 4th
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner (12:00 PM)
-Information for recaps provided by New Haven and Pace athletic communications staffs-
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.