GAME 1
GAME 2

Staten Island, NY- The Wagner College softball team split a pair of Northeast Conference (NEC) games this afternoon with the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils. In game one of the doubleheader, the Seahawks defeated the Blue Devils by the eight-run mercy rule, 11-3, before falling in the nightcap 7-5. 

In game one, the Seahawk jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on senior Andrea Lazzari's (Reno, NV / Wooster) home run over the left field fence. In the second inning, Wagner extended its lead to 4-0 by notching three runs on three hits and a Central Conn. St. miscue. Sophomore Amanda Garcia (Fresno, CA / California State University, Fresno) led by lacing a home run over the left field fence. Senior Cindy Bagnoli (Old Tappan, NJ / Old Tappan) drove in senior Jaclyn Vanore (Fresno, CA / California State University, Fresno), who reached on a single up the middle, with a single down the right field line. Sophomore Emily Pierce (Phoenix, AZ / Desert Vista) capped off the inning, reaching on an error by the second basemen, scoring Bagnoli for the 4-0 advantage. 

In the top of the third, the Blue Devils halved the Seahawks lead to 4-2 on a home run and a ground out to the shortstop. The Seahawks answered back in the bottom of the stanza with three runs on four hits and a Central Conn. St. error. With two runners on base, Garcia brought the game to 5-3 by driving in Lazzari on a single to second base. Sophomore Ashley Olsen (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy) added a run by plating Garcia on a single to third base. The Seahawks notched their third run of the stanza on a throwing error by the third baseman. 

The Green & White extended its lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings on Lazzari's single up the middle and Olsen's home run over the center field fence. 

The Blue Devils responded in the top of the sixth inning by notching a run on a ground out to second. This run would not be enough as Lazzari responded in the bottom of the frame with her game-winning two-run blast, ending the game by the eight run mercy rule, 11-3. 

Freshman Kaelynn Armenta (Whittier, CA / Paul HS) earned the win through 6.0 innings of action, improving her record to 7-13. The RHP fanned three while allowing three earned runs. 

Lazzari led the team at the plate, going 4-4 with two home runs and four RBI. The senior's home run marks her 12th of the season which puts her tied for first on the Wagner single-season home run list. Olsen and Garcia contributed to the win, going 2-3 with one home run each. 

In the second game of the twinbill, Wagner battled neck-and-neck with the Blue Devils falling short in the end by a score of 7-5. 

Central Conn. St. got out to an early lead, notching a run in the second inning on a Wagner miscue. The Blue Devils extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the third, scoring runs on a pair of singles. 

The Seahawks rallied back in the bottom of the frame by notching three run on four hits. Wagner's first runs came off Eshelman's RBI single to the pitcher, scoring sophomore Jamie El-Aazami (Houston, TX / Cypress Falls). Lazzari followed with a sacrifice fly to left field, driving in Bagnoli. Junior Amanda deLancellotti (San Clemente, CA / Florida C.C. at Jacksonville) capped of the inning with a RBI single up the middle, scoring Eshelman and knotting the game at 3-3. 

In the top of the fourth, the Blue Devils took back the lead by plating two runs on a double to left field. In the bottom of the frame the Seahawk tied the game for the second time, plating two runs on three hits. Pierce brought the game to 5-4 on a double to right center, scoring Vanore, who reached on a single through the right side. Eshelman followed with a game-tying single to first base, plating Olsen. 

The Seahawks made a strong offensive stance in the bottom of the fifth inning. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils would retire the Seahawks bats while leaving three runners stranded on base. In the top of the sixth the Blue Devils took the lead once again, plating two runners on a single down the left field line. This lead would be enough to capture the win as the Blue Devils garnered the 7-5 victory. 

In the circle, Eshelman took the loss following 4.2 innings of relief pitching, dropping to 4-11. The junior struck out four while allowing just three earned runs. 

The Seahawks return to action Tuesday, April 21 when they host Lafayette College in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm.