Softball Defeats FIU, Falls to FGCU

Saturday, February 20

Fort Myers, Fla.

4:15 PM

University of Connecticut

3-0

Florida International University

3-3

UConn

FIU

Photo by: Skip Zinn

2/20/2021 10:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The UConn softball team (3-1) earned a split on the second day of the FGCU Invitational. The Huskies bested FIU, 3-1, in their first game of the afternoon before dropping a 3-1 decision to host school FGCU in the nightcap.

UConn closes out the weekend with a rematch against the Eagles Sunday morning. First pitch is slated for 11:30 a.m.

Game 1: UConn 3, FIU 1

UConn started the day off with its second win in as many days over FIU to sweep the two-game mini-series against the Panthers.

The freshmen class shined in the two-run victory, including Taylor Zatyk (2-3) and Jana Sanden (1-3) who paced the UConn offense and accounted for all three Husky scores. Zatyk notched two runs and a double while Sanden chipped in a run, home run and a pair of RBI's. Payton Kinney picked up six strikeouts and allowed just three hits through 23 at-bats to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Following a couple missed opportunities to strike first earlier in the contest, the Huskies finally broke through and opened up the game scoring in the top of the fourth. Zatyk started the inning off with a single to center field, then Sanden drilled a homer to left field on the ensuing at-bat to give UConn a 2-0 lead.

FIU responded with a run in the bottom fifth to pull within one, and that would be as close the Huskies would allow them to get.

UConn regained its two-run lead in the sixth. Once again Zatyk got things started for the Huskies, this time knocking a double-bagger to left center. Two plays later Devon Casazza singled and advanced to second on the throw, bringing Zatyk home for a 3-1 lead.

In the seventh, the Husky defense delivered a quick 1-2-3 to lock down the result.

Game 2: FGCU 3, UConn 1

UConn's offense was kept at bay for most of the contest as the FGCU defense kept the Huskies from getting much going. Hollis Wivell (1-2), Lauren Benson (1-2), and Reese Guevarra (1-3) notched hits for UConn, with Briana Marcelino producing the lone Husky run.

FGCU jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind its defense and runs in the first, third, and fourth. The Eagles were threatening to add to their lead with the bases loaded in the bottom fourth, but the UConn defense stood tall and got out of the inning leaving runners stranded.

The Huskies kept fighting and finally broke through on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Marcelino reached on a fielding error, then advanced to second on Benson's sac bunt. Shortly after, Jana Sanden was walked and the Huskies were in business with runners at first and third. On the next play, Wivell singled down the right field line, Benson advanced to second and Marcelino made it home to pull UConn within 3-1. FGCU was in another position to add to the lead in the bottom half of the frame with runners positioned at second and third, but the UConn defense held its ground and Payton Kinney delivered back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning and give the ball back to the offense.

UConn had opportunities in the sixth, and another in the seventh (following a defensive stop) to cut into the deficit and potentially tie or take the lead, but it was to no avail. FGCU delivered a quick 1-2-3 and handed the Huskies their first loss of the season.