Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Emmitsburg, Md. (March 11, 2023)--Mount St. Mary's defeated Central Connecticut, 5-2, to open the Mount Softball Invitational behind a two-hitter from freshman pitcher Maddie Coleman.  The Mountaineers were edged by St. Bonaventure, 4-2, in the second game of the day.  The Mountaineers are now 4-11 on the season.

MOUNT ST. MARY'S 5, CENTRAL CONNECTICUT 2

Freshman Maddie Coleman tossed a complete-game two hitter to lead Mount St. Mary's to a 5-2 win over Central Connecticut in the opening game on Saturday afternoon.  The Mount scored four times in the bottom of the first to take control of the game.

Abigayle Perry walked to start the four-run first inning for the Mount, and advanced to second on a Maggie Kane sacrifice bunt.  Hannah Gartrell singled to put runners on the corners, and Gartrell stole second to put two runners in scoring position.  Brianna Manni then grounded to third, but reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases when the third baseman took too long holding the Perry at third base.  Kaia Bonshock followed with a base hit just inside the first base line to bring home Perry and Gartrell for a 2-0 advantage.  Mariah Godde was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Zoe Wilcox drew a walk to force home the game's third run.  Bonshock closed the scoring in the inning when she scampered home on a wild pitch.

The Blue Devils (3-5) got a run back in the top of the second.  Ava Cino doubled with one out off Coleman.  Grace Lawton then grounded out to third base with Cino advancing on the play.  The ball got past Mount shortstop Godde, allowing Cino to score.

Mount St. Mary's got the run back in the bottom of the second.  With one out, Kane doubled and Gartrell walked to put two runners on base.  Manni followed with a single to center to plate Kane for a 5-1 advantage.  Coleman maintained the advantage, allowing just one base runner over the next three innings.  In the sixth, Brooke Fedison doubled, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a Jazmin Lasane sacrifice fly to make it 5-2.  Coleman closed out the game with a 1-2-3 top of the seventh.

Coleman allowed two runs (one earned) and just two hits in the complete-game effort for her first collegiate win.  She struck out three and walked one in the seven innings.

ST. BONAVENTURE 4, MOUNT ST. MARY'S 2 (8 inn.)

Mount St. Mary's rallied from a two-run deficit, but fell to St. Bonaventure, 4-2, in eight innings in the game's second game.  Mariah Godde had a pair of hits while Avery Neuhart struck out a season-hgh eight batters in a complete-game effort.

The Bonnies (2-8) opened the scoring with an unearned run in the top of the third inning.  Brooke Bobbey singled to left to start the frame, and moved to second when the ball skipped by the Mount's left fielder.  Grace Walker followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and then stole second to put the pair in scoring position.  Emily Piergustavo followed with a sacrifice fly to score Bobbey with the game's first run.

St. Bonaventure made it a two-run lead in the fifth when Walker tripled and Piergustavo doubled.  The Mount countered in the bottom of the frame to tie the game.  Kassidy Johnson singled to open the inning and was replaced by pinch runner Julia Vincent.  Godde followed with a double to right center field, but she overran second base.  As St. Bonaventure was trying to get Godde out, Vincent was able to score on the play with Godde being safe at third.  Vanessa Martin followed with a squeeze bunt to score Godde with the tying run.

Godde singled and stole second with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but St. Bonaventure starter Emily Phelan got out of the jam with a pop out.  In the eighth, the tiebreaker rule was instituted with a runner being place on second.  Walker sacrificed Bobbey to third, and Piergustavo doubled to right field to give St. Bonaventure a 3-2 lead. After a wild pitch, a groundout brought home Piergustavo for an insurance run.  Phelan retired the Mount in order in the eighth to preserve the win.

Neuhart allowed four runs (two earned) in eight innings in the complete game.  She struck out a season-high eight batters while allowing just one walk.

Up Next:  The Mount will host Central Connecticut at noon and St. Bonaventure at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow to close out the Mount Softball Invitational.  CCSU and St. Bonaventure play at 10:00 a.m.