University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Army West Point
Huskies Swept in Opening Day Doubleheader
2/9/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ââ'¬" The UConn softball team was swept in Friday's doubleheader on the first day of the River City Leadoff, losing tight games to Army and Jacksonville at the Pruitt Softball Complex on the JU campus.
The Huskies (0-2) received strong pitching from junior Jill Stockley, sophomore Katie Koshes and freshman Marybeth Olson, but were unable to get any offense going ââ'¬" stranding 11 total runners on Friday afternoon.
Senior Ryne Nakama and redshirt freshman Olivia Sappington recorded multi-hit days for UConn, while five other players added hits. Two players, Sappington and freshman Reese Guevarra, tallied their first hits in their collegiate careers.
Olson didn't allow an earned run in 5.1 innings of work as a part of two relief appearances, allowing just five hits in the process. Stockley started the first game against the Black Knights, while Koshes got the ball in game two.
"Tough outcomes, but I think we learned a lot today. The hitters got more comfortable as the day went on which is usually pretty typical at the start of the season," said head coach Jen McIntyre. "I thought our seniors really stepped up, which is what we're looking for."
Saturday brings another doubleheader for the Huskies, as they take on Jacksonville State at 10:30 a.m. and get a rematch with Jacksonville at 3:30 p.m.
Game 1 ââ'¬" Army 3, UConn 0
Six players made their collegiate debuts for UConn, including Sappington, who recorded one of four hits for the Huskies in a 3-0 loss to Army in the opening game of the 2018 season.
Stockley pitched 4.2 innings, allowing three runs and five hits with four strikeouts. She tossed four scoreless frames to start the game, before the Black Knights got three runs across the plate in the fifth.
Olson made her first appearance as a Husky, striking out two batters in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief. UConn's counterpart, Renee Poirier, picked up the complete game win for Army ââ'¬" striking out four and walking three.
"Marybeth did a great job coming in during tough spots. She had ice in her veins today," said McIntyre of her first-year pitcher.
Along with Sappington, Guevarra also tallied her first career hit out of the lead-off spot for the Huskies. Nakama and senior Emma Stanley reached base on hits in the second and seventh innings, respectively.
A pitcher's duel between Stockley and Poirier ended in the fifth, when Taylor Livingston recorded an RBI single to give Army a 1-0 edge. With two outs in the frame, Stockley surrendered a two-RBI double to Amelia Trotter to make it 3-0.
UConn had a chance in the sixth, when sophomore Carli Cutler walked and Sappington singled with two outs, but sophomore Kiwi McDaniel flew out to left to end the threat. The Huskies stranded five base runners throughout the game.
Fresh chalk for a fresh start. Less than two hours to first pitch. #PhaseWhy pic.twitter.com/ZwXquAt6Zs
- UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) February 9, 2018
Game 2 ââ'¬" Jacksonville 1, UConn 0 (8)
Despite hitting struggles, it seemed the Huskies were about to take the lead in the seventh inning of a scoreless game against the Dolphins when sophomore Devon Casazza hit a deep fly to left field with McDaniel on third base.
However, a laser throw from Jacksonville's Makenzie Buss reached the plate on one hop, nailing McDaniel at the dish and eventually leading to a 1-0 loss for the Huskies in extra innings.
Tournament rules place an automatic runner on second base in extra innings to ramp up the pace of the game and the difference proved to be Jacksonville taking advantage. The Huskies had freshman Briana Marcelino at third base in the eighth, but Guevarra and junior Kelli Bates were retired to end the top half.
The Dolphins scored the game-winning run on an RBI-bunt from Danielle Baker, handing Olson the loss despite not allowing one earned run. She threw four innings in relief of Koshes, who went 3.1 frames while allowing just one hit.
UConn combined for five hits and stranded six runners in the game, including four in scoring position. McDaniel, Stanley and freshman Maura Glatczak had sacrifice hits for the Huskies.
Pitching was a strength in game two, as Koshes and Olson combined for 7.1 innings of work, allowing one run on five hits. The duo picked up two strikeouts and didn't walk one batter.
