University of Connecticut Athletics
Five Huskies garner All-Conference honors
5/8/2019 1:00:00 PM | Softball
American Athletic Conference Release
HOUSTON, Texas—The UConn softball team has been on a tremendous 2019 campaign and the journey isn't over yet. Ahead of the 2019 American Softball Championship, the league has announced the All-Conference and Rookie teams. Overall, head coach Jen McIntyre had two student-athletes on the First-Team, two on the Second-Team, and one on the All-Rookie Team.
Briana Marcelino, Olivia Sappington, Carli Cutler, Reese Guevarra, and Alexis Lemus were the five Huskies that were named to the respective teams. This is the third consecutive season in which an UConn student-athlete has earned All-Rookie honors.
"I am so proud of our All-Conference selections," said Coach McIntyre. "This has been a tremendous year of growth for our team and individual accomplishments of these student-athletes has certainly made an impact on our roster."
Marcelino was named to the All-Rookie Team last season, and has solidified herself as a top player in this conference with her efforts this season. She leads the team in almost every offensive category, touting a batting average of .359 through 50 games played and started. She has 29 runs, 56 hits, nine doubles, eight home runs, slugging .571, with an on base percentage .429. Defensively, Marcelino has 95 putouts to go along with 69 assists, and a .937 fielding percentage. She is a two-time AAC Player of the Week and NFCA 'selected top-performances' mention.
THE MOMENT! pic.twitter.com/kpWbXPMqqg
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 30, 2019
Sappington earns her first All-Conference selection, joining Marcelino on the First-Team. She has played in 35 games this season and started in 30 of those contests. Most notably, she has a batting average of .337, nine runs, 28 hits, seven doubles, five home runs, 21 RBIs, slugging .602, and an on base percentage of .427. Sappington was recognized in early April by the conference and placed on the Weekly Honor Roll for her performances against Boston College and Houston.
Huskies are starting to catch fire!! A double by Reese and this Home run by Olivia bring the Huskies to within 1!!!
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) May 4, 2019
Tulsa 6 - UConn 5 pic.twitter.com/2GyB1AwLsm
The former Second-Team and All-Rookie selection, Cutler is now as seasoned veteran and a true leader for this UConn team. The third baseman has started in 41 games at that position while batting .269. Through her 119 at-bats she has 14 runs, 32 hits, five doubles, a triple, three home runs, and 20 RBIs to her name. Cutler is slugging .403 with an on base percentage of .338. Defensively, she has 44 putouts, 52 assists, while fielding .960.
Outstanding defense from Cutler at third! pic.twitter.com/qVRTlwFAAk
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 7, 2019
Guevarra has emerged as a perennial force in the batter's box and the league has taken notice. The outfielder has started 48 games and played in 49, batting .329. She has been in the batter's box 140 times, scored 31 runs, with 46 hits, seven doubles, four home runs, and 19 RBIs. Currently, Guevarra is slugging .464 with an on base percentage of .440. She has 63 putouts and is fielding at .969.
REESE HOMERUN! pic.twitter.com/tfbsg2sGkr
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 6, 2019
Last but not least, the freshman Lemus joins some elite company as she becomes the third player to earn All-Rookie honors since UConn joined the American in 2013. She is the eighth player in program history to be selected All-Rookie overall, with five players earning Big East recognition from 1999-2003. The young second baseman has played in 44 games and started in 42 of them. She is hitting .240 through 129 at-bats with eight runs to her name. Lemus has 31 hits, seven doubles, a home run, and 10 RBIs. She is slugging .318 to go along with an on base percentage of .279.
RBI single for Lemus! pic.twitter.com/BUeo7hAFQ3
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 5, 2019
The sixth-seed Huskies will take on the third-seed host Cougars in game four of the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 9th. In a season that has been widely successful, UConn isn't done yet.
"Their success on the field is indicative of all the work they have put in with their teammates," said coach McIntyre. "With one freshmen, three sophomores, and one junior in this mix, the future is bright for UConn softball."
