University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Santa Clara University
Huskies Earn Split On First Day of Capital Classic
2/28/2020 5:54:00 PM | Softball
DAVIS, Calif. – The UConn softball team competed on Day 1 of the Capital Classic, earning a 1-1 split in two games. The Huskies erupted for a 10-1 run-rule victory over Santa Clara in the first game of the day before dropping a 3-2 heartbreaker to host UC Davis.
UConn returns to the field tomorrow for a pair of games in Sacramento against Santa Clara and Saint Mary's.
Game 1:
The UConn offense was on full display in the matchup with Santa Clara. The Huskies notched 10 runs on seven hits and tallied two home runs and four RBI's. Briana Marcelino (2-3) led the charge for the Huskies with three RBI's, two runs and one homer, with Reese Guevarra (1-3) close behind with two RBI's, two runs and a home run of her own. Olivia Sappington (1-3) tallied two RBI's Aziah James (2-4) scored twice, with Devon Casazza (2), Kiwi McDaniel and Marybeth Olson chipping in runs to round out the offensive attack.
Junior Marybeth Olson improved to 5-0 in the circle after notching five strikeouts and allowing just one walk in four innings of work.
Aziah James got the Huskies started in the first with a single up the middle, followed by a theft of second base – her seventh stolen base of the season. Guevarra then homered to right center, scoring James in the process to give UConn a 2-0 lead. Following back-to-back walks of Olson and McDaniel, Samantha Barnett reached on a fielding error by left field, advancing to second, then third on the throw. McDaniel and Olson came around and scored, giving UConn a four run lead.
Casazza's run put UConn ahead 5-0 before Santa Clara broke through in the top of the third to cut their deficit to four.
Marcelino placed the Huskies right back in elite scoring position with a single to the shortstop, advancing James to second and Casazza to third. Sappington then knocked a single over into right field, bringing James and Casazza home. Marcelino scored on a throwing error by the Bronco catcher, pushing UConn's lead to seven, 8-1.
The Huskies added the final touches in the bottom of the sixth. After being walked, Guevarra stole second. Marcelino ended the game with a homer to center field that also scored Guevarra, giving them a 10-1 victory.
Game 2:
UConn dropped a heartbreaker to UC Davis in their second game, snapping their eight-game win streak. Juniors Reese Guevarra (1-1) and Briana Marcelino (0-2) notched the UConn runs while senior Kiwi McDaniel chipped in two RBI's.
After the teams went three-up and three-down through the first three innings, UConn broke through with a pair in the top of the fourth. Guevarra, leading off, was walked then stole second base. Marcelino was walked on the ensuing play, then advanced to second after Guevarra advanced to third on a passed ball. A couple plays later, McDaniel singled to center field and brought Marcelino and Guevarra around for a 2-0 UConn lead.
UC Davis stole the game away with three runs in the seventh. The Aggies cut the Husky lead to one midway through the half inning, then grabbed the 3-2 victory on a walk-off homer to right field.
