Tartans Top NYU, 4-0, to Open Series
The Carnegie Mellon University softball team defeated New York University in the first of three games this weekend on Friday. The Tartans won 4-0 to advance to 18-12 overall and 4-6 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Violets fall to 6-24 and 0-10.
Inside the Results
- Junior Maddy Beall singled to start the bottom of the first for the Tartans but was stranded at second after a sacrifice bunt by freshman Riya Sharda.
- Senior Haley Pucci struck out five batters through the first two innings and retired the side in order in the third while the Violets left three runners on base who all reached via a walk.
- The Tartans took advantage of an error with two outs by the Violets to score two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Freshman Michelle Pacheco walked to start the inning and scored when senior Kira Monji reached first on an error by NYU's first baseman.
- Freshman Maddie Lee, who singled with Pacheco on first, then scored on a wild pitch.
- Haley's no hitter was broken up in the fourth inning with a double by Victoria Negron, but Haley stranded her at third to keep the shutout.
- A single by the Violets in the sixth inning threatened the Tartans but an infield play by junior Maya Bala ended the inning.
- The Tartans strung a few hits together in the bottom of the sixth when Sharda led off with a single through the right side and advanced to third on a double to right field by Monji.
- Sophomore Reagan Diamond grounded out to the shortstop as Sharda crossed home plate for the 3-0 lead. Monji then scored from third when freshman Sophia Doherty hit a ground-rule double to left field in a pinch-hitting appearance.
- Haley earned the complete game shutout when she retired the side with a ground out to shortstop, a strikeout and a line out to shortstop with Monji diving to her right to make the final out.
- Haley is now 2-3 on the season and finished with seven strikeouts.