UConn trio shine in midweek win over CCSU

Tuesday, April 16

Storrs, Conn.

4:00 pm

University of Connecticut

16-24

Central Connecticut State University

15-18

Central Connecticut

UConn

Photo by: Stephen Slade

4/16/2019 7:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

STORRS, Conn.—The UConn (16-24) softball team hosted Central Connecticut State (15-18) in a midweek single nonconference game at Burrill Family Field. The Huskies' victory over the Blue Devils came by way of Marybeth Olson in the circle in addition to Kiwi McDaniel and Ashley Esty's at-bats.

Olson (10-11) started the contest off for UConn in control of the defense and tossed five efficient innings. She tallied nine strikeouts, one walk, and only three CCSU hits through 20 batters. Olson was relieved by Katie Koshes, who pitching the remaining pair of innings. Koshes faced 10 batters and tabbed only two walks.

Marybeth Olson with her 9th K of the day on a filthy curveball. Huskies will bring a 6-0 lead to the bottom of the 5th. pic.twitter.com/8UcSMANChh
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 16, 2019

In the batter's box, the McDaniel and Esty duo posted five hits and five RBIs combined. Esty led the way in the hits category, taking several of those for her own while McDaniel drove in four of her teammates to score.

The Huskies opened up the offense in the bottom of the third when McDaniel stepped up to the plate and smashed a single up the middle. The power on the hit positioned it perfectly so that pinch runner Aziah James and leadoff Esty could round home plate.

Kiwi McDaniel goes up the middle for a 2 run single in the bottom of the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/wWOFEm1IkA
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 16, 2019

UConn doubled their offensive output in the proceeding half inning, with Reese Guevarra's double to right center bringing leadoff Ashlee Dahman in. Esty was due up next for the Huskies and slapped a single up the middle to reward Guevarra at home plate. UConn's lead would sit at 4-0 with no one out in the bottom of the fourth.

Reese Guevarra finds the gap for a double and she extends the UConn lead to 3-0. pic.twitter.com/vQ93IyHLB7
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 16, 2019

With runners in scoring position at second and third, McDaniel singled up the middle bringing Briana Marcelino and Esty home. The six-run lead would remain for the duration of the game and ultimately allow the Huskies to take the match up.

The Blue Devils did not go down without a fight today as they posted at least one hit in every inning but two.

UConn will look to carryover their success into the USF series beginning on Thursday, April 18th. This will be the Huskies fifth American Athletic Conference series of the 2019 season and the second at home on Burrill Family Field. First-pitch for Thursday's game is slated for 3:00 p.m.