University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
24-10, 0
St. John's University
14-19, 0
Softball clinches series win over St. John's, as Valentino reaches 100 career wins
4/8/2023 7:23:00 PM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn softball team secured their fifth straight series win on Saturday afternoon, defeating the St. John's Red Storm 2-1. The win secured head coach Laura Valentino's 100th career win at the helm of the program.
Payton Kinney started in the circle for the Huskies, earning her ninth win of the season. She went four innings, only allowing two hits, and tallying four strikeouts.
UConn jumped out in front in the first inning off a bases-clearing triple by Rosie Garcia (2), scoring Lexi Hastings and Grace Jenkins, which gave the Huskies a 2-0 lead.
St. John's scored their sole run in the next inning on a Huskies error, allowing the run to score from second base.
For the next five innings, both teams struggled to get key hits as twelve runners were left on base between the two teams.
Meghan O'Neil came in relief for Kinney in the fifth inning, closing out the multi-inning save (5) for the Huskies. O'Neil finished with three strikeouts.
"It's great for the program and I couldn't do it without my players, all my staffs, alumnae, my family and terrific support I've been given here at UConn," said Coach Valentino. "I would also like to give credit to Christie Novatin who has been by my side and has contributed to every win. I wouldn't be here without her, and neither would the program."
Valentino now moves to 100-53 in her fourth season as the head coach of the UConn softball program. She becomes just the second coach in program history to reach 100 career wins, the other being Karen Mullins, the winningest coach in program history.
"I am looking forward to the future of the program and sharing championship wins together."
UConn will look for their second straight series sweep in the series finale on Sunday at 11:00am.
Follow us on our social media pages for updates.
Twitter – UConnSoftball
Instagram – UConnSoftball
Facebook – UConn Softball
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kinney, Payton (9-5)
L: Mearns, Hannah (5-10)
S: O'Neil, Meghan (5)
Batting:
2B: Cody, Peyton 2
SH: Marra, Maeve 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Totarsky, Sydney 1
SB: Bianco, Jess 1
HBP: Thompson, Anese 1
Batting:
3B: Garcia, Rosie 1
RBI: Garcia, Rosie 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Hastings, Lexi 1 ; Jenkins , Grace 1
SB: Hastings, Lexi 2 ; James, Aziah 1
CS: Mason, Makenzie 1
