NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior second baseman
Haley Hernandez (West Hills, CA/El Camino Real) knocked in three runs, including what proved to be a game-winning two-run homer in the third, supporting another strong start by senior starting pitcher
Kaitlynn Nelson (Ojai, CA/Nordhoff), who picked up the win in the Pace University softball team's 4-1 victory in Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division action against Southern Connecticut State University. Pace completes the three-game season sweep of the Owls with Wednesday's win.
SCORING PLAYS
Top 3rd – Pace
- Junior shortstop
Ashley Lew (New City, NY/Clarkstown High School North) hit a double with one away to get a runner in scoring position.
- Senior second baseman
Haley Hernandez (West Hills, CA/El Camino Real) then blasted a two-run homer to put Pace ahead, 2-0.
Bottom 4th – SCSU
- Shortstop Julia Lener opened the inning with a double, and was then sacrificed over to third on a bunt.
- Catcher Danielle Piazza then hit a fly ball to left, long enough for a sacrifice fly to score Lener and make it a 2-1 ballgame.
Top 6th – Pace
- Sophomore first baseman
Annie Carberry (Colorado Springs, CO/Pine Creek) walked to lead off the sixth.
- Carberry was then sacrificed over to second, and then stole third, setting her up to score later in the inning when junior right fielder
Jordan Chillinsky (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad High School) hit an RBI double to give Pace a 3-1 advantage.
Top 7th – Pace
- Sophomore
Danielle May (Middletown, NY/Goshen) came on to pinch run after senior catcher
Nikole Larm (Brewster, NY/Brewster) led off with a walk, and found herself standing on third with two down in the inning.
- Hernandez then came through again for Pace, smacking an RBI single to score May and give the Setters a 4-1 lead.
PITCHING DECISIONS
Win:
Kaitlynn Nelson (Ojai, CA/Nordhoff) (4-2)
Loss: Yesenia Evaristo (1-4)
Pitching Notes
- Nelson completely her fourth straight start giving up one run or fewer on Wednesday. She went the full seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out a season-high 11 batters to get her fourth win in her last four starts.
SETTER STATS
- Hernandez went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, a run and a two-run homer to lead Pace to victory.
- Lew hit 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored.
- Chillinsky finished 1-for-2 with an RBI double.
OWL LEADERS
- Lener hit 1-for-2 with a run and a double, while Piazza went 0-for-2 with an RBI on her sacrifice fly.
- Center fielder Jaime Conklin hit 2-for-3.
TEAM RECORDS
Pace: 8-5 (3-0 NE10, 3-0 SW)
Southern Connecticut State: 2-9 (0-3 NE10, 0-3 SW)
UP NEXT:
- The Setters take a break from NE10 action on Thursday, March 30, when they visit Caldwell University in Caldwell, N.J. for a doubleheader against the Cougars. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 3 p.m.
For all information regarding Pace University softball, log on to
www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace Athletics on Facebook (
T-Bone, Official Mascot of Pace University Athletics) and follow Pace Softball on Twitter (
@Pace_Softball) and on Instagram (
@Pace_Softball).
