By David F. Pendrys (Eyewitness account checked against official box score.)

BRIDGEPORT, CT- The NYIT Bears took the first game of a double header 9-0 over the Bridgeport Purple Knights Saturday afternoon at Seaside Park.

In game 1, NYIT hurler Carly Wade picked up the win after 5 shutout innings, before giving way to Lia Matz. The Bears put up 4 runs in the first inning which proved to be more than enough. NYIT would eventually have 10 hits on the day to UB’s six. Bridgeport starter Alyssa Bua gave up 7 runs, 6 earned before Taylor Hendrickson relieved her in the sixth. Wade had 4 strike outs, Matz 2, and Bua 3.

Chelsie Gourdin had 3 hits for NYIT, Averie Schroeder had 2 hits and 2 RBI including a home run in the fifth. Josie Santagata had 3 RBI on 1 hit. Sonia Marin had 2 RBI on her lone hit, a home run to drive herself and Samantha Basile in, plus she had a stolen base. Kaila Crandall had UB’s lone stolen base of the day. Santagata had a nice grab at third base to snag a liner during the game.

Schroeder’s Home Run

Katelyn Wall was the only UB player to have 2 hits. Fielding-wise Jessica Griesinger came up with an important save, after a hit ball bounced off Meghan O’Leary at first, she grabbed it and flung it to make sure the out occurred. In the top of the fourth Crandall saved a run when she threw from right field to home plate to catch Marin trying to score.

Marin tagged out at home.