Stockley pitches UConn to victory over Tulsa in game one

Friday, May 3

Storrs, Conn.

3:00 pm

University of Connecticut

21-27, 8-11

University of Tulsa

33-17, 14-5

Tulsa

UConn

Photo by: Stephen Slade

5/3/2019 6:31:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

STORRS, Conn.—Senior Jill Stockley received the nod to start in the circle for the Huskies (21-27, 8-11 AAC) in game one of the season concluding American Athletic Conference series versus the Golden Hurricane (33-17, 14-5 AAC). This would mark her 16th appearance of the 2019 campaign and she made the most out of it, turning defense into offense for UConn to take the game at 4-3.

Stockley (3-8) was impeccable in the circle on this cloudy day, tossing six innings and delivering the same in strikeouts. She only walked two of the 27 Tulsa batters she faced on the afternoon. Marybeth Olson relieved her in the top of the seventh to seal the win for the Huskies and nab her second save of the season.

UConn came out red-hot in the bottom of the first inning after successfully retiring the top of Tulsa's order on a pair of swinging strikeouts and a ground out to Briana Marcelino. Reese Guevarra and Olivia Sappington both sent singles into the outfield to start the hitting off for the Huskies. Marcelino reached on a fielder's choice that would remove Guevarra from the field, placing pinch runner Aziah James at first and Marcelino at second. Carli Cutler reached on a fielding error that allowed Marcelino to cross home plate.

UConn added another run to their cause in the bottom of the fourth, as Kiwi McDaniel scored on a wild pitch.

Tulsa responded in the top of the fifth, scoring on a double to left field.

UConn's next two runs came in the bottom of the fifth. A bases loaded double to left center scored Kelli Bates but saw Guevarra out on the play. Marcelino found home plate during the next at-bat to increase the Husky lead to 4-1.

The Golden Hurricane did not go quietly, tacking on a pair of runs in the following half inning. A two RBI homer to left field brought Tulsa closer to UConn at 4-3.

Olson entered the contest and the next trio of batters for the Golden Hurricane were retired in order via fly out, swinging strikeout, and a ground out. Catcher Devon Casazza got in on the fun as well, she was truly in synch with shortstop Marcelino as the pair caught two runners trying to steal second.

The teams will play their final games of the season in a doubleheader tomorrow, May 5th with first-pitch slated for noon of Game One. Game Two will follow at approximately 2:00 p.m.