NEW HAVEN — A friendly duel is becoming a bit historic for the Southern Connecticut State softball team.

Sluggers Brittany Bucko and Alyssa Downs have belted their way into the ranks of the nation’s home run leaders. Along the way, their power show has vaulted SCSU into 18th in the national poll and first place in the Northeast-10 Conference.

Bucko slammed her 11th and 12th homers of the season on Wednesday, tying Downs for the team lead. The 12 homers tie the school’s single-season mark. Not bad for two stars who swear they never try to hit the long ball.

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