University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Syracuse
Burtner Home Run Helps Huskies To Split With Syracuse
3/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 30, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - A second inning three-run homerun by senior Erin Burtner (Jefferson, Md.) propelled the University of Connecticut softball team past Syracuse in game two of the Monday doubleheader. The Huskies (15-11, 3-5 BIG EAST), who fell 11-7 in game one due in part to a nine-run top of the seventh by the Orange (15-11, 4-2 BIG EAST), were able to take game two by a 8-2 score.
Burtner was 2-for-5 on the day with her first two extra base hits of the year and six RBIs. In game one, she had a bases clearing double that scored three in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring the UConn lead to 6-2. But her performance in game two was what helped the Huskies to the win.
Also performing well for the Huskies on the day was freshman Amy DeLuca (Bordentown, N.J.) who was 4-for-7 against the Orange with a homerun and four runs batted in.
The scoring was back and forth throughout game one with Syracuse taking the lead and the Huskies taking it back. But in the bottom of the sixth, UConn had a five-run inning that looked as though it would be enough to earn their first home victory of the season. Burtner's bases clearing double was the high point of the inning and gave UConn a four run lead.
But in the top of the seventh, Syracuse scored nine runs on eight hits and had 15 batters come to the plate en route to their 11-7 comeback win. The inning was capped off by a grand slam by Kelly Saco over the left field wall.
Until the seventh inning, junior Tricia Sullivan (New Bedford, Mass.) pitched an outstanding game. She struck out the side twice in the second and fourth innings and finished the game with 10 strikeouts.
In game two, Syracuse's bats did not stop as they began the game with a two-run top of the first. It looked like UConn would fire right back in the bottom half of the inning. The first three Huskies to come to the plate managed to get on base but with no outs and bases loaded senior Danielle Del Ponte (Tewksbury, Mass.) hit into a triple play that ended the threat.
In the second, however, it was Burtner's three run homer that gave the Huskies the lead bringing home senior Sarah Neuschwander (Chugiak, Alaska) and junior Justyne Roy (North Dighton, Mass.).
The Huskies added to their lead and solidified the victory with a five-run bottom of the fifth inning. During the inning, DeLuca blasted the first home run of her college career, a three-run shot, that gave UConn a six-run cushion.
The Huskies return to action this week on April Fool's Day for a doubleheader with Pittsburgh that will begin at Noon.
-UCONN-
