University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
32-13, 0
DePaul University
14-30, 0
Softball beats DePaul, clinching share of BIG EAST regular season title
4/30/2023 8:29:00 PM | Softball
CHICAGO, Ill. – The UConn Softball team (32-13) rallied against DePaul, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh to beat the Blue Demons, 4-3. With the win, UConn has clinched a share of the BIG EAST regular season title for the second consecutive season. The last time the Huskies won back to back regular season titles was the 1996 & 1997 seasons.
Payton Kinney started in the circle for the Huskies, pitching a gem only surrendering one hit through her first five innings.
UConn jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning off the bat of Grace Jenkins. She hit her team high fifteenth double of the season bringing in Lexi Hastings and Aziah James.
The next five innings were a pitcher's duel as both teams only combined for four hits.
DePaul took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring three runs, giving them a 3-2 lead going into the final inning.
UConn's offense responded in the top of the seventh, rallying with two outs to re-take the lead for good. Kaitlyn Kibling got on as the tying run after working a walk on a full count. Lauren Benson delivered the game tying hit with a single into right center field. The DePaul right fielder overthrew the second baseman allowing Kibling to score and Benson to move to second base. Hastings put the Huskies in front for good with a single to center, scoring Benson from second.
DePaul threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning loading the bases with zero outs, but Kinney shut the door on the Blue Demons, getting three straight fly balls to get the Huskies their 19th win in conference play this season.
UConn will win the conference outright with a loss from Seton Hall next weekend. If Seton Hall wins all three games against Butler, the Huskies will be co-champions with the Pirates.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: O'Neil, Meghan (6-4)
L: PIERCE, Katey (2-4)
S: Kinney, Payton (3)
Batting:
2B: Jenkins , Grace 1
RBI: Hastings, Lexi 1 ; Jenkins , Grace 2 ; Benson, Lauren 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hastings, Lexi 1 ; James, Aziah 1 ; Benson, Lauren 1 ; Kibling , Kaitlyn 1
SB: Hastings, Lexi 1 ; James, Aziah 1
CS: Ring, Savannah 1
Batting:
2B: JOHNSON, Brooke 1 ; MEYER, Tori 1 ; ALVERS, Carly 1 ; TALBOT, Addison 1
RBI: MEYER, Tori 1 ; ALVERS, Carly 1 ; POOL, Riley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: JOHNSON, Brooke 1 ; MEYER, Tori 1 ; ALVERS, Carly 1
HBP: WOHLERS, Anna 1
