University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Downed 8-0 by Fourth-Ranked Florida State
3/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 7) - Fourth-ranked Florida State scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game with a score of 8-0 over the University of Connecticut softball team. Jessica van der Linden went the whole way on the mound for the Seminoles, striking out seven UConn batters and walking just one as she improved her record to 11-2 on the year.
The Huskies finished in fourth place at the Seminole Challenge with a record of 1-4, and dropped to 2-8 on the season with the loss at FSU. The Seminoles improved to 21-3 on the season. The run-rule game was the third for Florida State in their five games of the tournament, and the fourth time in the five games that they recorded nine or more hits.
Florida State’s Carey Galuppi, Katie Fricke and van der Linden each had two RBI in the game, and Veronica Wootson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.
The Huskies’ Mandy Schettini (Coxsackie, N.Y.) and Maggie Arbogast (Ambler, Pa.) nearly started a two-out rally in the top of the first with consecutive singles to right field, but a strikeout ended the scoring chances for UConn.
Florida State took the lead in the bottom of the first as Wootson started things off with a single through the right side, and then stole second base. Natasha Jacob recorded a sacrifice to send Wootson to third, and van der Linden brought her home with a single to center field.
Galuppi hit the first home run of her career at FSU in the bottom of the second inning to score two runs and put the Seminoles up 3-0.
In the bottom of the third, UConn pitcher Michelle Caouette (Wynantskill, N.Y.) loaded the bases with three walks in the first five batters, but struck out the other two. Wootson, already 2-for-2 in the game, was the next at bat, but fouled out to first base to end the inning and avoid further damage for the Huskies.
Junior Jen D’Angelo hit a double in top of the fourth, but to no avail as she was the only UConn batter to reach base.
Florida State’s Lesley Palmer drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth, and was followed by Beth Wade who singled to put runners at first and second with no outs. LaShaun Davis then bunted and reached on an error by UConn, which also scored Palmer. Galuppi was walked to load the bases once again for FSU with Wootson at the plate. Wootson then singled to center field, and scored Wade, but the Huskies were able to put one runner out on the play.
Pinch hitter Fricke then cleared the bases with a two RBI double, and van der Linden followed with a single to score Fricke and put the Seminoles up 8-0 to end the game.
The Huskies will stay at Florida State for the next two days to play single games, first taking on Penn State on Monday, March 8 at 12:00 p.m. UConn will get another chance against the Seminoles on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
