University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Tulsa
Softball Blanked by Tulsa, 4-0, in Regular-Season Finale
5/6/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TULSA, Okla. - Junior outfielder Kelli Bates provided the only hit for the UConn softball team on Sunday, as it dropped the regular-season finale to Tulsa - 4-0 - at the Collins Family Softball Complex in American Athletic Conference action.
Senior pitcher Chelsea Eckert (1-6) picked up the loss for UConn (20-34, 5-16 American), despite allowing just one earned run (four total) on five hits in 4.1 innings of work. She struck-out a pair of batters in her eighth start of the season.
Tulsa starting pitcher Emily Watson (20-11), recently selected as the No. 8 overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch League, struck-out 14 and allowed only one hit in a complete-game shutout for the Golden Hurricane.
The Huskies will enter the AAC Tournament as the eight-seed on Thursday in Tampa, Fla., playing the overall top-seed to be determined after scores become final from around the league. A complete bracket will be available on Sunday night.
Both Eckert and Watson pitched three perfect innings to start the game, keeping both lineups off balance. It wasn't until the fourth that Tulsa capitalized on a scoring opportunity, plating three runs on a pair of RBI hits off Eckert.
A fielding error by freshman Briana Marcelino started the rally for Tulsa in the fourth, followed by a walk and three singles to give the home team a 3-0 advantage over the Huskies. UConn was outhit in the game, 7-1.
In the fifth inning, the Golden Hurricane added another run with an RBI double - leading to the relief appearance of freshman Marybeth Olson in the circle. She threw 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while recording one strikeout and one walk.
Watson faced the game-minimum 21 batters in her complete-game effort, as Bates recorded UConn's first hit in the fourth with a bunt single. Later in the inning, she was caught stealing second by catcher Rylie Spell.
The Huskies travel directly to Tampa from Tulsa on Sunday evening, as they turn their focus to the AAC Tournament. Wednesday is a practice day, while the first round will be played on Thursday - matchups and game times to be determined.
