Blue Devils Collect First Win of 2009, Defeat Niagara in Extra Innings at Mason Invitational

Junior Sara Budrick scored on an error with two outs in the top of the eighth inning and sophomore Elizabeth Montemurro completed five innings of relief work with a perfect bottom half to give Central Connecticut (1-3) a 5-4 extra inning win over Niagara (7-3). Freshman Kelli Griffiths and sophomore Erin Kelley had two hits each to lead the Blue Devils. Kelley added an RBI. Montemurro, who allowed just three hits while striking out four in her five innings on the mound, picked up the win.

Central Connecticut put two runs on the board in the top of the first. Kelley led off the game with a single to center and scored on a triple by junior Tiffany Erickson. Junior Jaclyn Logan drove in Erickson with a single up the middle to make it 2-0 Blue Devils. Sophomore Kayla Hines cut the margin in half with an RBI double off CCSU freshman starter Abby Harpp in the bottom of the first, but the Blue Devils responded with another pair of runs in the second.

Sophomore Kendall Sours led off with a walk, moved to second on a single by Griffiths, and then to third on a sacrifice. She scored on a past ball. Griffiths crossed the plate on a Kelley single to stretch the lead to 4-1. The Purple Eagles tied the game with a three-run third, though.

Harpp walked the leadoff batter in the fourth before being relieved by Montemurro. Montemurro didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning, and wasn't tested until the seventh. She gave up back-to-back two out singles before forcing a ground out to set up extra innings.

Junior Sara Budrick was placed on second to start the inning. With two outs, she crossed the plate after a fielding error by sophomore shortstop Maggie McDonald to give CCSU the lead. Montemurro induced a double play to start the bottom of the eighth and got freshman Jennifer Hare to ground out to end it.

Budrick, sophomore Katherine Knowles and senior Jenna Earley each had singles in the win. Harpp allowed four hits and struck out one over three innings. McDonald had two hits and two RBI to lead Niagara. CCSU knocked Niagara freshman starter Ali Grab out after two innings. Senior Katie Gleiser took the loss in relief.

Central Connecticut will continue play in Mason Invitational tomorrow morning at 11:15. The Blue Devils open the day against Cornell. They will also face George Mason at 3:45 p.m.