Game 1: #3 Curry 2, #4 University of New England 0
In game one of the Friday afternoon double elimination round in the CCC Softball Tournament the #3 seed, Curry defeated #4 University of New England 2-0 to eliminate the Nor'easters from the tournament. The Colonels earned their two runs off a two-run homer by freshman Kelly Duggan (Norwood, Mass.) in the bottom of the second inning.
Controlling the circle for the Colonels was junior Taylor Ahearn (Salem, Mass.) who improved to 16-6 on the season with her complete game hurling three strikeouts, allowing just two hits on her 23 batters faced. Also posting a strong game in the circle for the Nor'easters was sophomore Abby Lambert (Brockton, Mass.). The sophomore pitched six innings while hurling 51 strikes on 83 pitches. The two pitched combined for eight 1-2-3 innings in the close contest.
Duggan cranked her homerun with junior Allie Carver (Marlborough, Mass.) on base to take the 2-0 lead early on. The Nor'easters worked to get back in the game but Ahearn pitched a solid game to lead Curry to victory.
With the triumph, Curry will travel to the second site for the tournament at Gordon College where they face #5 Western New England, who eliminated #6 Roger Williams earlier today.
Game 2: #5 Western New England 6, #3 Curry 0
In game two junior pitcher Lauren Zambrano (Wallingford, Conn.) controlled the circle for the Golden Bears hurling seven innings while allowing just three hits and retiring seven on strikeouts. For the Colonels junior Taylor Ahearn (Salem, Mass.) split duties with senior Jennifer Lundstrom (Rehoboth, Mass.) in the tough loss.
Lavinio posted a strong second game with two hits and an RBI while sophomore Alexis Bukowski (Wallingford, Conn.) led with two ribbies in the victory. The Golden Bears started their scoring early in the first as Francese pulled off a sacrifice bunt to bring Lavinio home for the early 1-0 lead.
In the third Bukowski singled to left center to bring home one more for the 2-0 lead. In the fourth Lavinio cranked a double to right center to send freshman Corianna DeLisi (Tuxedo, N.Y.) around the bases for a three run advantage.
In the final inning Western New England posted three runs to secure the triumph and a place in tomorrow's 11:00 a.m. contest against #2 Salve Regina. The winner will face #1 Endicott in the championship game at 1:00 p.m.
