University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
San Diego State
Softball Defeated By San Diego State & Fresno State
3/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 9, 2012
FRESNO, Calif.-The Husky softball squad continued to struggle as they lost two games on the opening day of Fresno State's Bayer CropScience Classic on Friday afternoon. UConn falls to 1-6 on the season following a 8-3 loss to San Diego State (15-11) and a 6-1 defeat by the hosting Bulldogs (13-7).
Despite the Huskies committing no errors in either game, freshman hurler Lauren Duggan (Norwood, Mass.) was handed her second loss of the season (0-2) and junior pitcher Kiki Saveriano (Lexington, Mass.) dropped to 1-3.
In the first game, the Aztecs grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on no hits and no runs following a walk, a sac bunt, a wild pitch and sacrifice fly. The contest remained at 1-0 until the Huskies would post three out of their four hits in the bottom of the third for a three-run inning.
Sophomore first baseman Audrey Grinnell (Saco, Maine) kicked off the inning with a single to center and moved to third on a double up the middle by junior Kim Silva (Cheshire, Conn.). Grinnell would score on an error by SDSU's centerfielder. Freshman shortstop Emily O'Donnell (Niskayuna, N.Y.) and senior centerfielder Jen Ward (Waterford, Conn.) each scored on a double to left field by senior designated player Amy DeLuca (Bordentown, N.J.).
UConn's offense came to a halt and the Aztecs firepower took over to tally eight hits and conclude the game at 8-3. Duggan threw five innings and allowed three earned runs before senior Ali Adelman (San Diego, Calif.) relieved her and gave up five earned runs in the final two innings.
Meanwhile, in the second game of the day the Huskies were outhit 8-5 by the Bulldogs as they lost 6-1. Connecticut had no errors but stranded seven on base and failed to keep up with Fresno State's offense.
Saveriano pitched six innings and was hit eight times, struck out four and allowed six runs. Fresno State's Mackenzie Oakes earned her fourth victory of the season as she struck out three and allowed no earned runs.
Senior catcher Amy Vaughan (Somerset, Mass.) notched a RBI double in the top of the sixth to permit DeLuca to reach home giving the Huskies their lone run of Friday night's loss.
The Huskies will continue at the Bayer CropScience Classic on Saturday when they take on Oregon at noon before facing the hosting Bulldogs at 8:30 p.m.
