University of Connecticut Athletics
Bryant, UMass Coming Up This Week
4/23/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUESDAY: | Husky Vision
WEDNESDAY: Live Stats | A-10 Digital Network
STORRS, Conn. - Coming off a three-game set against Memphis over the weekend, the UConn softball team returns to non-conference action when it hosts Bryant on Tuesday (3 p.m.) at Burrill Family Field and hits the road for UMass on Wednesday (4 p.m.).
The Huskies (17-30, 3-12 American) play five games this week, with an American Athletic Conference series with Houston on the horizon - the visiting team for UConn's Senior Weekend. Before the Cougars arrive, however, two contests lie ahead.
Originally scheduled for April 3, UConn and Bryant rescheduled for Tuesday after inclement weather resulted in a postponement earlier in the month. The Huskies are 10-1 all-time against the Bulldogs and 44-48-1 in an extensive history with the Minutewomen.
This past weekend, UConn dropped two of three contests with Memphis - but picked up a dominant 10-0 five-inning victory over the Tigers in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader to end the series on a high note. It was the first road conference win of the season for the Huskies.
Junior outfielder Kelli Bates had a season-best performance on Saturday, recording three hits and throwing out a runner at the plate to help UConn to its second 10-plus run output this year. Sophomore Chloe Kerns and freshman Briana Marcelino each added three-run homers in Saturday's win.
Sophomore pitcher Katie Koshes was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Monday after hurling two complete games and lowering her team-best conference ERA to 2.77 after the weekend in Memphis. Her opposing batting average of .231 this season is the best mark among all UConn pitchers.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Bryant (12-25, 6-6 NEC) most recently was swept in doubleheader action by Saint Francis (PA) on Sunday, falling to a .500 record in the Northeast Conference. The Bulldogs have a young group with 14 underclassmen, including eight freshmen players, and are led by first-year outfielder Morgan Powell in batting average (.347). UConn swept Bryant in a doubleheader in 2017.
UMass (26-12, 14-0 Atlantic 10) will play a doubleheader with Rhode Island on Tuesday, before hosting the Huskies on Wednesday. The Minutewomen are yet to lose a conference game, and have won four-straight games as of Monday. Redshirt senior Jena Cozza is hitting .482 at the plate, third-best in the NCAA.
TIMELY HITTING
In UConn's 10-0 win over Memphis on Saturday, the team went 5-for-12 (.417) with runners in scoring position and 6-for-15 (.400) with runners on base - capitalizing on each scoring opportunity. The Huskies scored at least three runs in each of the first three innings, while the first six players in the lineup accounted for seven hits, eight runs and nine RBI.
COMING UP
The Huskies have four home games remaining this season against Bryant (Apr. 24) and Houston (Apr. 27-29). Senior Day is scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m. against the Cougars, where seniors Chelsea Eckert, Ryne Nakama and Emma Stanley will be honored for their contributions to the program.
