University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Notre Dame
Rain Stalls UConn Comeback Against No. 21 Notre Dame
5/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 7, 2011
STORRS, Conn. - The Connecticut softball team dropped both ends of a double-header against No. 21 Notre Dame today at Burrill Family Field in Storrs by scores of 8-4 and 9-0. UConn fell to 19-29 (6-14 BIG EAST). Notre Dame improved to 43-8 (18-1 BIG EAST).
In a pregame ceremony, UConn honored Head Coach Karen Mullins for her 800th overall career victory, recorded on March 12, 2011 against Colorado State. Mullins later recorded her 800th victory at UConn with a 9-3 victory over Pittsburgh on April 16.
UConn dropped game one, 8-4. The Huskies mounted a formidable comeback in game one after being down 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning but had their momentum washed out by the weather.
Freshman Andrea Huelsenbeck led off in the bottom of the fifth and broke up Notre Dame starter Laura Winter's no-hit bid with a single to short stop. With two outs and Huelsenbeck still on first, junior Amy Vaughan blasted her third home run of the season, this time sending the ball over the head of the left fielder to make it 5-2.
UConn added two solo shots in the sixth inning to cut the score to 5-4.
In the bottom of the sixth, junior Kim Silva jumped on a first-pitch fastball and homered to left field. Senior Julianne Towers hit a two-out homer to center to make it 5-4. The home run was Silva's fourth of the season with Towers belting her 11th.
Huelsenbeck walked and UConn looked to continue the rally until lightning and rain halted play, forcing a 1:45 rain delay.
The two teams came out of the locker rooms and the Irish quickly retired the UConn side in the sixth. Notre Dame added three runs in the top of the seventh and UConn was unable to capitalize in the final frame.
Marissa Guches reached on an error and was gunned down at the plate attempting to score on a double from Vaughan to right-center field.
Sophomore Kiki Saveriano took the loss and dropped to 10-21. She allowed eight runs on 13 hits.
Saveriano retired the side in the first but the Irish manufactured five runs in the top of the second before adding two runs in both the third and fourth innings.
Saveriano pitched three frames, allowing seven runs on six hits, dropping her record to 10-22.
Junior Ali Adelman came on in relief in the second game, allowing two unearned runs in two innings of work.
UConn will finish the regular season on Sunday when Connecticut will honor seniors Kathleen Brenneman and Julianne Towers. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.
