University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Rutgers
Huskies Outlast Rutgers 6-5
4/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 9, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - Despite a five-run top of the seventh by Rutgers, the University of Connecticut softball team held on for the victory defeating the Scarlet Knights 6-5 Thursday in game one of the doubleheader. The Huskies added a couple of insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth to help them secure the victory.
With the win, the Huskies (22-11, 6-5 BIG EAST) extended their win-streak to nine games. Rutgers dropped to 14-23, 3-10 BIG EAST.
Sophomore Julianne Towers (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) leadoff the inning with a double. Senior Micah Truax (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) got on one batter later on an error by the Rutgers second baseman Kate Valiante moving Towers up to third. Truax moved herself up a base on her eighth stolen base of the year and scored one batter later on a two-run single by freshman Amy DeLuca (Bordentown, N.J.). A double down the leftfield line by junior Justyne Roy (North Dighton, Mass.) gave the Huskies their third run of the inning.
Neither team was able to get on the board again until the bottom of the fifth when UConn added some more runs to their lead. Towers lead off the inning again reaching on an error by Valiante, her second of the game. Truax singled through the left side moving Towers up and senior Jillian Ortega (Aberdeen, N.J.) loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch.
Senior Danielle Del Ponte (Tewksbury, Mass.) drove in her 23rd and 24th RBIs of the season moving into fifth on the UConn All-time list for career RBIs. Ortega scored the final run of the inning and the eventual game-winner for the Huskies.
In the top of the seventh inning, Rutgers rallied getting five runs across the plate, all unearned. A chance to record a double play was foiled when the throw by junior Tricia Sullivan (New Bedford, Mass.) sailed high scoring two Rugters baserunners. With two runners on and no outs recorded, senior Erin Burtner (Jefferson, Md.) gave an extra effort getting the first out of the after running into the fence to catch a foul ball.
That out provided to be crucial for the Huskies as they pulled off a close one earning the victory.
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