University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
7-10, 0-1
Creighton University
7-5, 3-1
Huskies Split Pair with Creighton
3/20/2021 9:01:00 PM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. – The UConn softball (8-10, 1-1 BIG EAST) team posted a split decision on the day in a BIG EAST doubleheader against Creighton (7-6, 3-2 BIG EAST). The Huskies took a slim loss in game one but bounced back with a dominant showing in the second.
The Huskies knocked five home runs out of the park today between the two games, with Briana Marcelino and Devon Casazza posting a pair each. Jana Sanden also joined in on the home run fest, chipping in one of her own.
Game 1 – Creighton 2, UConn 1
A seventh-inning rally by UConn fell short Saturday afternoon, as the Huskies dropped a 2-1 decision to Creighton in the opening game of their BIG EAST weekend series.
Marcelino, leading off for the Huskies, blasted a homer to left field in the seventh inning to trim the Bluejays' lead to 2-1. Unfortunately, the home team was able to secure outs on the ensuing three batters, ending the game and thwarting the Huskies' rally.
The contest was one of intense defense from both teams. The game remained scoreless through the first three-and-a-half innings, while the teams posted just eight hits collectively.
UConn was led by freshman pitcher Payton Kinney (3-8) in the circle, who threw six innings with five strikeouts and a 2.88 ERA through 24 batters faced.
In addition to Marcelino, freshmen Taylor Zatyk and Makenzie Mason nabbed hits for UConn on the afternoon. Zatyk and Mason picked up singles in the second and fifth frames, respectively, while Marcelino's solo blast put the Huskies on the board in the seventh.
Game 2 – UConn 9, Creighton 1
UConn bounced back with a resounding victory in the second game of the doubleheader, nabbing a 9-1 victory over the Bluejays' to even the weekend series at one game apiece. UConn was powered by a quartet of home runs from Casazza (2), Sanden and Marcelino.
O'Neil started in the circle for the Huskies and pitched the full seven innings with three strikeouts and only one walk. The UConn defense was in good hands as they followed in behind their leader, committing no errors in the match up. O'Neil's efforts notched her, her fifth win of the season.
Casazza opened up the scoring for UConn in the top of the second, with her third home run of the year whipping over right center. Creighton managed to get one back in the bottom of the frame, tying the game at one apiece on Madeline Vejvoda's homer.
The Huskies continued to be aggressive at the plate and would reap the rewards, beginning with Marcelino's at-bat. Being the second batter in the order in the top of the third, the senior smacked the ball up the middle and took up real estate at first. Freshman Madisyn Estorga was walked, moving Marcelino ahead to second. Following Mason's pop up, Marcelino stole third and Estorga stole second. After Cali Jolley subbed in to pinch run for Estorga, Casazza notched her second home run of the game – sending this one to left field. The senior catcher rounded Jolley and Marcelino as well, giving UConn a 4-1 lead.
UConn registered its fourth and fifth home runs of the day in the top of the fifth and extended the lead to five. Sanden knocked her second dinger of the season to centerfield, which Marcelino promptly followed up with by sending her shot to left field.
Ashley Esty caught the defense lacking in the top of the sixth and stole home to make it 7-1, UConn. The Huskies added a pair of runs in the seventh to put the finishing touches on the win. Estorga advanced to third and scored on a fielding error, then Casazza made it home on Esty's single to left center, increasing the advantage to eight. A quick three up, three down from the UConn defense locked down the result.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: BOYD, Parker (5-4)
L: Kinney, Payton (3-8)
Batting:
HR: Marcelino, Briana 1
RBI: Marcelino, Briana 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Marcelino, Briana 1
SB: Guevarra, Reese 1
CS: Zatyk, Taylor 1
Batting:
2B: NIELSEN, Cayla 1 ; ALM, Sam 1 ; PECHAR, Mikaela 1
HR: MILLS, Kiara 1
RBI: NIELSEN, Cayla 1 ; MILLS, Kiara 1
SH: MILLS, Kiara 1 ; MANTHIE, Brittney 2
Base Running:
RUNS: MILLS, Kiara 1 ; ALVAREZ, Victoria 1
