University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Sweep Providence College
4/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GAME 1 - ,
GAME 2 - ,
STORRS, Conn. (April 22) – The University of Connecticut softball team swept Providence College in a BIG EAST doubleheader at the UConn Softball Field on Friday, taking game one, 2-0, and winning game two, 1-0, in eight innings. UConn’s record now stands at 16-24 with the wins, 6-10 in the conference, while Providence holds an overall record of 30-15, 4-8 in the BIG EAST after the pair of losses.
In game one, with two away in the second, UConn grabbed a 2-0 lead. Freshman Christine Keeton (Spokane, Wash.) singled then senior Stephanie DiBiase (Hamilton, N.J.) followed with a two-run shot to left. DiBiase went 2-for-2 in the contest with a run scored and two RBI.
That would be all the offense the Huskies would need as senior Jessica Gurney (Williamstown, Mass.) pitched seven scoreless innings to record the victory (10-15), scattering three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Nicole Bartholomew took the loss (14-7) for Providence, throwing six innings and allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
The second game of the afternoon proved to be a defensive showdown as the teams played seven scoreless innings before UConn plated the deciding run. Connecticut threatened in the second as senior Suzy de Bary (Roxbury, Conn.) singled to right field and Keeton reached on an error to give the Huskies runners on first and second with one out. DiBiase then came to the plate and advanced the runners with a ground out to third. This gave senior Ashleigh Campen (Rougemont, N.C.) the opportunity to drive in two with two outs, but Friars’ hurler Sara Surosky escaped the inning by striking out Campen.
Stellar defense by the UConn outfielders prevented Providence from breaking the scoreless tie in the fourth. Michele Bowers opened the inning with a single to the pitcher then Elena Romero followed and hit a ball hard to center, but DiBiase took away an extra base hit with a diving catch. Senior Jen Ward (Gales Ferry, Conn.) then flashed some leather in right field on the very next play, doubling up the runner at second to get out of the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Huskies scored the game winner with back-to-back one-out hits as senior Mandy Schettini (Coxsackie, N.Y.) singled then scored on a double down the left field line by sophomore Jessica Quan (Stockton, Calif.).
Gurney recorded her second shutout win (11-15) of the day for UConn, throwing eight scoreless innings and allowing just four hits with no walks and three strikeouts. Surosky suffered the loss (7-6) for the Friars, going 7.1 innings and allowing one run on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
The Huskies next play host to Central Connecticut on Tuesday, April 26, with the first game of the doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.
