University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
College of Charleston
Blue Hens Use Longball, Strong Pitching To Shut Out Charleston, 5-0, in CAA Opener
3/25/2016 5:48:00 PM | Softball
• Boxscore
• Boxscore (pdf)
NEWARK, Del. -- Anna Steinmetz and Leanna Gearhart each belted two-run homers while Kiersten Coffman and Jordan Cargile combined on a shutout as the University of Delaware softball team won its Colonial Athletic Association opener, 5-0, over the College of Charleston Friday afternoon.
The Blue Hens, who posted their second consecutive shutout, improved to 15-10 on the season, 
while the Cougars had their six-game winning streak snapped and fell to 19-11 on the year.
Delaware wasted little time in taking the lead, as Mariah Kondravy worked a two-out walk in the bottom of the first inning before Steinmetz (left) blasted a pitch over the centerfield fence.
The Blue Hens then loaded the bases in the bottom of the second as Shelby Jones singled, Alyshia Dellatore reached on an error and Mattie Nuccio legged out a bunt single, while one out later Gearhart lofted a sacrifice fly to center to drive home Jones with the third run of the game.
Hannah George singled to left with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, before Gearhart drilled a two-run homer to right as the Blue Hens' lead increased to five.
The Cougars used two singles and a walk to load the bases with one out in the top of the sixth, but Cargile replaced Coffman in the circle and retired the next two batters to escape the jam.
Charleston then had runners on second and third in the seventh, but Cargile retired Valerie Cassell 
on a lineout to left and Katie Padilla on a popout to shortstop to seal the victory.
Coffman (right) scattered six hits in 5.1 scoreless frames and improved to 10-4 on the year, while Cargile earned her first save of the campaign after allowing two hits in the final 1.2 frames.
Charleston starter Samantha Martin fell to 11-5 after giving up five runs, four earned, in 3.2 innings of work.
The Blue Hens and Cougars will wrap up their conference series on Saturday with an 11 a.m. doubleheader at the UD Softball Stadium.
Game Notes:
• Steinmetz now has six homers, tied for second in the CAA
• Gearhart hit her fourth career homer, and her first at the UD Softball Stadium
• The Blue Hens have tossed consecutive shutouts for the first time this season
• Coffman has fired 12.1 consecutive scoreless innings
• Eight of the nine Blue Hen starters tallied a hit
• Coffman's 10 wins are her most in a season during her career
• Cargile now has five career saves, tied for fifth most in UD history
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kevin Tritt at: ktritt@udel.edu (email) / 302-831-8715 (office) / 302-383-5005 (cell)
