University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Massachusetts
UConn Seventh Inning Rally Falls Just Short
4/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 23, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - With a 3-2 count and two outs, Carly Normandin blasted a grand slam over the left field wall in the top of the seventh to give UMass a three-run cushion and the victory. In the bottom of the sixth, UConn rallied to gain their first lead of the game, but were unable to hold on falling to UMass for the fifth straight meeting.
UConn put together a few hits in the bottom of the seventh and even got a run back, but with the bases loaded and the Minutewomen up by two, a double play ended the Huskies' threat and gave UMass the victory.
With the loss the Huskies fall to 25-17 on the season while UMass earns their 28th victory of the season.
Despite no hits, UMass managed to get two runners across the plate in the second to take an early lead. Senior Rachael Crossin (Fairless Hills, Pa.) walked three, hit a batter, and two Minutewomen reached on fielder's choices to load the bases and get two home. But with the bases loaded and no outs, UConn was able to shut down the UMass offense and get out of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth with just one swing of the bat, senior Erin Burtner (Jefferson, Md.) tied the game up at two-all. Burtner sent a home run over the left field fence for her second round-tripper of the season and first since March 30. UConn got their first five batters on base to start off the inning rallying to take the lead.
After Burtner cleared the bases, senior Jillian Ortega (Aberdeen, N.J.) doubled to right field, and freshman Amy DeLuca singled through the left side moving Ortega up to third. One batter later, junior Justyne Roy (North Dighton, Mass.) hit in Ortega to help UConn to their first lead of the game.
But in the seventh, with the bases loaded and two outs Normandin blasted her sixth home run of the season to put UMass back on top 6-3. A questionable call on a tag-out at third allowed the Minutewomen to get back into the game.
The Huskies are back in action this weekend Saturday on the road at St. John's and then they return to Storrs on Sunday at Noon for a doubleheader against Villanova. On Sunday, the Huskies will be hosting a Strike Out Cancer silent auction to raise money for the V Foundation.
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