Huskies Compete on Day 2 of FGCU Kickoff Classic

Saturday, February 8

Fort Myers, Fla.

9:00 AM

University of Connecticut

1-2

University of Delaware

2-1

UConn

DELAWARE

Photo by: Stephen Slade

2/8/2020 5:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The UConn softball team competed in Day 2 of the FGCU Kickoff Classic. UConn (2-2) made a late rally against Delaware but ultimately fell to the Blue Hens 9-6 in the first game of the day. The Huskies showed their toughness and resiliency in Game 2. UConn bounced back with a 3-2 extra-inning victory over Boston College and captured its first win over an ACC opponent since 2017.

The Huskies wrap up opening weekend against host-school Florida Gulf Coast Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

Game 1

Facing a large deficit against the Blue Hens, the UConn softball team mounted a late rally beginning in the fifth inning.

Carli Cutler got the offense going with a single to left field, then Aziah James followed with a bunt single allowing Cutler to advance to second. Two at-bats later, pinch runner Cali Jolley notched UConn's first run of the day. After Cutler's, Samantha Barnett kept UConn rolling with a double down the right field line, allowing James and Ashley Esty to come around and score.

With the offense flowing, the defense turned it up a notch as well. Marybeth Olson subbed in in the bottom of the fourth and in three innings of work in the circle, Olson notched six strikeouts while the UConn defense allowed just one hit and kept the Blue Hens scoreless through the final two innings.

The Huskies cut further into the deficit with a pair of runs in the sixth. With a runner on first and facing two outs, Devon Casazza doubled to left field scoring Hollis Wivell, then Esty followed it up with a single to right field scoring Casazza, cutting the deficit to 9-6.

A quick 1-2-3 from Olson to begin the seventh gave the ball back to the UConn offense and the game within striking distance. Delaware wouldn't allow the Huskies to get any closer and closed out the inning to take the win.

Game 2

UConn displayed toughness and resiliency following their setback to Delaware, bouncing back with a thrilling 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Boston College Eagles Saturday afternoon.

Freshman Meghan O'Neil earned the win in her second collegiate start and recorded five strikeouts through eight innings in the circle while the UConn defense limited Boston College to just three hits.

Offensively, sophomore Aziah James was 3-4 with a run, Briana Marcelino tallied a run and went 1-3 in her at-bats, with Ashley Esty adding one of her own. Additionally, Kiwi McDaniel notched two RBI's and Marcelino added one.

After O'Neil struck out the side, UConn broke the scoreless tie and took a 1-0 lead following Esty's run in the bottom of the fifth. The Husky defense kept the Eagles without a hit from the third to seventh inning, but Boston College managed to tie the game after scoring on a wild pitch.

The Eagles took a 2-1 lead at the top of the eighth off a single down the right field line scoring the runner at second base who was placed there for international tie breaker. O'Neil remained composed and struck out the next batter to close the half inning.

Marcelino put the game-winning sequence in motion with a bunt single advancing James to third and Marcelino to first, placing the offense in scoring position. A couple plays later, Marcelino caught the defense napping and stole second. On the ensuing play, McDaniel singled up the middle allowing Marcelino and James to score and give the Huskies a 3-2 win.