University of Connecticut Athletics
Softball Falls At DePaul, 5-4 and 12-5
4/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
UConn 4, DePaul 5 [], []
UConn 5, DePaul 12 [], []
CHICAGO, Ill. (April 2, 2006) - Despite four hits from sophomore Allie Gendron (Amherst, Mass.), including a double in each game, the University of Connecticut softball team fell in both games of a double header at DePaul on Sunday afternoon. The Huskies (14-15, 4-4) fell in the first game, 5-4, and in the second game, 12-5, in five innings. DePaul is now 19-9 overall and 3-1 in the BIG EAST.
The Huskies got things started in the first game, picking up one run in the top of the first inning to take the early lead. Freshman Micah Traux (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) opening the half-inning by reaching base on an error and came around to score later in the inning on Gendron's first double of the afternoon.
The Blue Demons answered back in the home half of the fourth inning when Stephanie Blagaich tripled to drive in Linda Secka and Marcy Wilus and give DePaul the one run advantage. Blagaich also came around to score that half inning on a sacrifice fly by Kara Amundson to close out the half inning with three runs.
UConn would not rest, however, and answered with two runs in the top of the fifth and another in the top of the sixth to take the one-run lead into the final inning of play. Freshman Danielle Del Ponte (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Gendron each scored in the fifth on a double by freshman Jillian Ortega (Aberdeen, N.J.) and a solo home run by freshman Erin Burtner (Jefferson, Md.) in the sixth put the Huskies ahead.
However, the UConn lead would be short-lived as Wilus homered as the third batter of the bottom half of the seventh to drive in herself and Megan Huitink and give DePaul the win.
Junior Krista Michalczyk (Salem, N.H.) took the loss on the mound for the Huskies, scattering one hit and striking out one batter over 2.1 innings of work. She is now 6-7 on the season. Senior Michelle Caouette (Wyantskill, N.Y.) scattered two hits in 2.2 innings of work and freshman Rachael Crossin (Fairless Hills, Pa.) was the third UConn pitcher in the game. She gave up one hit in 1.1 innings of work. Blagaich had the win for the Blue Demons.
The offense didn't stop in the second game, with DePaul opening the game with six runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Huskies answered back in the top of the third when a double by junior Jessica Quan (Stockton, Calif.) drove in Burtner for UConn's first run of the game. The Blue Demons added six more in the bottom of the inning, however, to take the 12-1 lead.
UConn was not done, however, and picked up four more runs in the top of the fourth to stage a comeback. Senior Kim Castner (Forked River, N.J.) scored on a single by Quan and Gendron's second double of the afternoon scored freshman Sarah Neuschwander (Chiguak, Alaska) and Quan. The Huskies final run of the game came on a single by sophomore Christine Keeton (Spokane, Wash.), causing Gendron to score. DePaul added one more run in the bottom of the fifth for the win.
Crossin picked up the loss for UConn, giving up one hit in one inning of work. Also seeing action on the hill for UConn were sophomore Ashley Thody (Middletown, Conn.), Caouette and Michalczyk. Leslie Scott had the win for DePaul.
The Huskies will be in action next on Tuesday, April 4 when they host Brown at the Connecticut Softball Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
