University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Split Doubleheader With BIG EAST Foe Syracuse
4/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
, - Game 1
, - Game 2
SYRACUSE, NY (April 29) – Two games were decided by just one run as the University of Connecticut softball team split a doubleheader at Syracuse on Thursday afternoon. The Orangewomen took the first game 3-2, while the Huskies rebounded to take game two by a score of 4-3. In each game, the losing team scored all of their runs with a rally in the final inning.
The split moves UConn to 23-21 overall and 6-10 in the BIG EAST, while Syracuse now stands at 20-26 for the season and 4-8 in conference play.
Both teams had just one scoring inning in game one, with Syracuse tallying three runs in the fourth, and UConn coming up with two runs in the seventh. Courtney Mosch, who took the win in the circle for the Orangewomen in the first game, also recorded two RBI with a home run to right center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. Syracuse scored a third run in their four-hit inning on a UConn error.
The Huskies managed just two hits in the first six innings of play, and finally came alive a little too late with two runs on three hits in the seventh inning. Freshman Holly Calcagno (Cedar Grove, N.J.) stepped up with two outs and the bases loaded, and drove a double into left center field to bring two runs home. Senior Maggie Arbogast (Ambler, Pa.) knocked out a double in the inning, and junior Stephanie DiBiase (Hamilton, N.J.) singled to load the bases prior to Calcagno’s at bat.
UConn put another two runners on with a walk and a hit by pitch during the inning, but recorded their third out with the bases loaded to end the chances for a tie.
Arbogast got the Huskies off on the right foot in game two of the doubleheader, blasting a double to right field in the first inning to score Mandy Schettini (Coxsackie, N.Y.) who had reached on a walk.
UConn added two runs to the total in the top of the second. Sophomore Nikki Ribeiro (Norton, Mass.) recorded the first triple of her career to score Calcagno, and then scored the second run herself on a Syracuse error.
The Orangewomen errors continued, allowing the Huskies to put their fourth and final run on the board in the third inning.
Syracuse left nine runners on base in six scoreless innings, but launched a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Cassie Morales hit her team’s second home run of the day with one runner on base, and Alexis Switenko followed with a third home run to put Syracuse within one.
Jessica Gurney (Williamstown, Mass.) relieved Krista Michalczyk (Salem, N.H.) after the three runs scored, and recorded the save after the final two batters grounded out. Michalczyk took the win, improving her season record to 4-1.
UConn will return to action on Saturday, May 1 when they travel to Providence for a 12:00 p.m. BIG EAST doubleheader.
