University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Softball 2001 Big East Conference Champions
5/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 12, 2001
VILLANOVA, Pa. (May 12) - BIG EAST Conference Champions for the seventh time in school history, the University of Connecticut softball team used a 3-0 shutout of Seton Hall to claim the league crown Saturday afternoon in the championship game of the 2001 BIG EAST Championship Tournament in Villanova, Pa.
Behind the stellar pitching of sophomore Barb Cook (Conklin, N.Y.), the Huskies were able to keep the Pirates' scoreless throughout seven innings of play. Cook had a complete game with five strikeouts and only one walk to capture her 18th win in the circle this season.
For her efforts, the Huskies' ace received the Most Outstanding Performer award after going 3-0 for the tournament with a 1.50 ERA. She joins former UConn standouts Sue Rybczyk (1990), Janna Venice (1991, 1993), Kim Mizesko (1992) and Bridgett McCaffery (1995, 1996) to have received the honor.
It all started in the top of the second, when senior Jessica Yanosy (Milford, Conn.) hit a two RBI single to centerfield to drive home freshman Jessica Bigos (Fall River, Mass.) and junior Lisa Girolamo (Ashby, Mass.) for the 2-0 lead.
Needing an insurance run in the later innings, the Huskies found one in their 7th, as senior co- captain Sarah Sandford (Carlsbad, N.M.) reached on a fielder's choice to bring in Girolamo to put UConn up 3-0. Girolamo leadoff the frame with a double and went 2-for-3 for the day with one run scored.
This was the first time in league postseason tournament history for a No. 3 seed and No. 4 seed to meet in the finals. UConn improves to 35- 21 overall, while Seton Hall ends its season at 29-14.
The Huskies last won the BIG EAST Tournament Championship in 1996 with victories also in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995. UConn coach Karen Mullins has guided the Huskies to 12- straight postseason league tournaments and has compiled a 29-12 record to-date.
Connecticut receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament, which marks its eighth postseason berth. The selections, pairings and sites for the 48-team field will be announced on Sunday, May 13 at 8:30 p.m. via a live television feed and on ncaachampionships.com.
Regional play starts on May 17-20 at campus locations to be announced and the Women's College World Series is set for May 24-28 at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. Six teams will participate at each of the eight regional sites and the Women's College World Series will include the eight regional finalists.
Connecticut 3, Seton Hall 0
Connecticut 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 - 3 6 1 Seton Hall 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 5 0
UC - Barb Cook and Jessica Bigos.
SHU - Misty Beaver, Christina Shanko (3) and
Ryan Barry.
WP - Barb Cook (18-10). LP - Misty Beaver (15-
6).
E - Cook (UC).
LOB - UConn 5, SHU 8.
2B - Girolamo (UC), Meliin (SHU).
HBP - Kern (SHU).
Time: 1:45, Attendance: 367
