University of Connecticut Athletics
Softball Snaps Skid With 11-5 Win Over Boston University
4/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Boston University 5, UConn 11 [], []
STORRS, Conn. (April 18, 2006) - Freshman Jillian Ortega (Aberdeen, N.J.) went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, three runs batted in and three runs scored as the University of Connecticut softball team snapped their six game losing streak with a decisive 11-5 win over Boston University on Tuesday afternoon at the Connecticut Softball Stadium. UConn is now 16-21 while Boston University is 20-21 on the season.
Both Ortega and fellow freshman Danielle Del Ponte (Tewksbury, Mass.) just missed out on hitting for the cycle, each needing a triple to complete the feat. Del Ponte also knocked in three runs on the afternoon, and the freshmen were joined by sophomore Allie Gendron (Amherst, Mass.) as the only Huskies to hit for extra bases in the game. Gendron had three hits in three at-bats, including a double, for UConn and drove in two runs.
Ortega got the UConn offense started in the home half of the first inning. After the Terriers picked up a run in the top of the inning, Ortega connected for her second home run of the season as the second batter up in the UConn lineup and knotted the score at one all.
UConn added two more runs in the bottom of the second to add to their advantage. Junior Holly Calcagno (Cedar Grove, N.J.) singled to open the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Erin Burtner (Jefferson, Md.). Another single, this time by freshman Meghan Tierney (Salem, Conn.), brought Calcagno to third with one out. Tierney advanced to second on a stolen base while freshman Micah Truax (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) struck out, but Ortega doubled as the next batter, allowing both Calcagno and Tierney to score.
Boston University scored twice in the top of the third inning to tie the score at three and then scored twice more in the top of the fourth to take the 5-3 lead. However, the Huskies answered back in the bottom of the fourth with three more runs to reclaim their lead. Ortega and Gendron had back-to-back singles to put themselves on base and Del Ponte homered to bring them across the plate after they each advanced on a wild pitch.
More runs came the Huskies way in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Sarah Neuschwander (Chugiak, Alaska) walked to open the inning, but was pinch run for by Burtner, who was out on the next play as Tierney reached base on a fielders choice. As the next batter up, Truax singled to center field and advanced Tierney to third. Ortega was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Gendron singled to knock in Burtner and Truax.
After a pitching change by the Terriers, new pitcher Brittany Detwiler balked, causing Ortega to score and put Del Ponte on first to have runners on the corners. After senior Kim Castner (Forked River, N.J.) was hit by a pitch, junior Kristina Tolles (Southington, Conn.) hit a sacrifice fly to right field and drove in Gendron.
The Huskies closed out their offense in the bottom of the sixth with one more run. Truax reached on a fielders choice as the third batter up and advanced to second on a single by Ortega. UConn loaded the bases on a single by Gendron and Truax then scored on a wild pitch for the final run of the game.
Freshman Rachael Crossin (Fairless Hills, Pa.) picked up the win for the Huskies in the circle, allowing just four hits and no runs while striking out three batters in 3.2 innings of relief. She is now 3-4 on the season. Junior Krista Michalczyk (Salem, N.H.) started the game for UConn, going 3.1 innings while scattering seven hits and striking out five. Melody Popravak took the loss for the Terriers, allowing seven runs in 2.1 innings of work.
The Huskies will be in action next on Thursday, April 20 when they host Dartmouth at the Connecticut Softball Stadium. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.
