University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
13-13, 5-4
DePaul University
14-7, 6-0
Huskies Fall in Series Finale
4/3/2021 3:58:00 PM | Softball
CHICAGO, Ill. – The UConn (13-13, 5-4 BIG EAST) softball team took on DePaul (14-7, 6-0 BIG EAST) in a BIG EAST Conference series finale on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies contended with the Blue Demon's in a competitive game but fell, 4-2.
The Huskies drew first blood in the BIG EAST series finale, scoring in the opening inning. UConn was aggressive from the first pitch – following a fly out to open the inning, Aziah James, Jana Sanden, and Briana Marcelino notched three-consecutive singles which loaded up the bases. Sami Barnett was hit by the pitch in her first at-bat of the afternoon, bringing James in for the first run of the game.
DePaul responded in the bottom of the second by sending a homer over left field to score their first pair of runs. The Blue Demon's increased the lead to two in the third when they added another run to their cause behind their second home run of the day
Devon Casazza's response to DePaul for her team would be heard around Cacciatore Stadium as she sent a home run soaring to center field. Her seventh home run of the season pulled UConn within 3-2.
The Blue Demons added one to the total in the bottom of the fourth to go up 4-2 over the Huskies headed into the top of the fifth. Due up for UConn was Sanden, Marcelino, and Barnett. Sanden received a walk to open the frame. Marcelino stepped in and sent one to the shortstop, moving Sanden up to second. Freshman Lauren Benson checked in to pinch hit for Barnett, then used a sac bunt to advance the runners ahead a base. Madisyn Estorga pinch hit for Ashley Esty and reached on a fielder's choice that sent Marcelino to third but unfortunately, Sanden was out at home on the play – denying the Huskies a chance to cut into the deficit.
UConn's defense kept DePaul scoreless through the next pair of innings to keep it a two-run game. On the offensive side of the diamond, the Huskies attempted to put together a comeback in the bottom of the sixth and seventh with singles from Casazza and Sanden. The Blue Demons would squander the rally, retiring the next three batters in the order to lock down the result.
Payton Kinney got the nod to start in the circle for the Huskies and tossed 2.1 innings in addition to two strikeouts. Meghan O'Neil relieved Kinney and pitched 1.2 innings against nine batters. Senior Marybeth Olson saw her first action of the 2021 campaign, finishing off the contest going 2.0 innings and only gave up two hit with a pair of strikeouts.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: DALGARN, Krista (8-1)
L: Kinney, Payton (8-10)
Batting:
2B: Guevarra, Reese 1
HR: Casazza, Devon 1
RBI: Barnett, Sami 1 ; Casazza, Devon 1
SH: Benson, Lauren 1 ; Wivell, Hollis 1
Base Running:
RUNS: James, Aziah 1 ; Casazza, Devon 1
CS: Guevarra, Reese 1
HBP: Barnett, Sami 1
Batting:
2B: FRAZIER, Grace 1
HR: SCALZITTI, Angela 1 ; O'RILEY, Gabby 1
RBI: SCALZITTI, Angela 1 ; POLUCHA, Kate 1 ; O'RILEY, Gabby 2
SH: SULLIVAN, Nicole 1
Base Running:
RUNS: SCALZITTI, Angela 1 ; GUTIERREZ, Maranda 1 ; O'RILEY, Gabby 1 ; HILGER, Skylor 1
