UConn Opens the Spring Games with 8-0 Rout of Central Michigan

Friday, February 14

Clermont, Fla.

11:00 AM

University of Connecticut

4-2

Central Michigan University

0-1

Central Michigan

Connecticut

Photo by: Stephen Slade

UConn Opens the Spring Games with 8-0 Rout of Central Michigan

2/14/2020 3:20:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CLERMONT, Fla. – The UConn softball team got off to a blazing start at The Spring Games Friday afternoon, cruising to an 8-0 rout of Central Michigan. UConn will square off against Stetson at 5:00 pm to close out Day 1.

The Husky offense flowed with precision – five different UConn players scored runs while the team produced 11 hits in 23 at-bats. Sophomore Aziah James went 3-3 and notched three runs to pace the UConn offense, with Briana Marcelino close behind after going 1-2 with two runs and two RBI's. Kiwi McDaniel (2-3) registered a run and an RBI, Marybeth Olson went 2-2 with three RBI's, and Devon Casazza went 2-3 while adding two RBI's of her own.

The UConn defense was just as pinpoint as the offense, notching the first no-hitter of the 2020 season. Controlling the circle through all five innings, Olson accumulated eight strikeouts with just two walks to move to 3-0 on the season.

Olson delivered a quick 1-2-3 in the top of the first to bring the Huskies up to bat and the offense took it from there. After CMU walked Guevarra, James stepped up to the plate and bunt singled to the pitcher, placing two runners in scoring position. Olivia Sappington grounded out to first, advancing Guevarra to third and James to second. A couple plays later, UConn grabbed a 2-0 lead after Olson singled up the middle, scoring James and Guevarra.

The Huskies extended their advantage with a pair of runs in the third, and once again it was James putting the wheels in motion. After a bunt single to third put her on first base, James caught the defense slipping and stole second. On the ensuing play, Marcelino stepped up and drilled a homer into center field, scoring James to put UConn ahead by four. McDaniel gave UConn a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when she scored the following Casazza's double to center field.

UConn tacked on three more in the fifth to put the run rule into effect. The Huskies had the bases loaded after just three at-bats, thanks to back-to-back singles from James and Samantha Barnett and a Marcelino walk. Olson was walked next, and James scored to put UConn ahead by six. McDaniel singled to right field scoring Barnett, and Casazza put the final touches on the shutout with a single to left field that allowed Marcelino to come around for UConn's eight run of the afternoon.