NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - The Mercyhurst softball team traveled to Central Connecticut State this weekend for their second NEC series of the season. The Blue Devils took an early lead and held on to their lead for the entirety of the game. Their pitching and offensive prowess proved to be too much as the Lakers fell 10-1 in five innings.  
 
Central Connecticut State (12-9, 7-0 NEC) took control early with a six-run first inning, highlighted by a two-run homer to center field. Mercyhurst (2-17, 1-3 NEC) was forced to make a pitching change in the first inning due to the offensive dominance from the Blue Devils. The inning concluded with a 6-0 score in favor of CCSU
 
In the third inning, Shailene Riemedio walked and later scored on a single by Bailey Cannon, marking the first run for the Lakers. They were unable to add extra runs as the Blue Devil's pitcher and defense kept things at bay. CCSU extended their lead with two additional runs, thanks to an RBI triple and a single. The score was then 9-1 at the end of the third inning.
 
In the fourth frame, Braylynn Kelly singled to the shortstop, but she was left on base even after Ava Zubovic came in to pinch hit. The Blue Devils added an insurance run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly. The Lakers were unable to score in the final inning despite a double from Emelie Pascual. The game concluded with CCSU securing a 10-1 victory in five innings. 

The two sides will finish the series with a double header beginning at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning.