University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
UCF
Three Home Runs Lift Softball Past UCF, 5-1
4/8/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. - Led by a three-hit game from freshman Briana Marcelino, and an offensive explosion that resulted in three home runs, the UConn softball team earned its first American Athletic Conference series win of the season with a 5-1 victory over UCF on Sunday at Burrill Family Field.
The Huskies (15-24, 2-7 American) took the rubber match from the Knights, as sophomore Katie Koshes (3-4) picked up her second win in as many days with eight strikeouts in her complete-game performance.
Three home runs - hit by sophomores Carli Cutler and Chloe Kerns, as well as redshirt freshman Olivia Sappington - helped spark the UConn offense against UCF starter Alea White in the weekend finale.
"Our mission all along is to go one game at a time and to sprint hard 56 times this year," said head coach Jen McIntyre. "We had a great game plan and I was really proud of the offense to stay with it and keep their composure."
In the latest of her three-straight game appearances, and second-consecutive start, Koshes once again dominated the Knights' lineup. Following an 11-strikeout effort on Saturday, the lefty allowed just one run on four hits on Sunday. She stranded eight UCF runners on base.
"She did a nice job of just hitting her spots and spinning the ball really tight," said McIntyre of Koshes' effort. "For her to go through their order seven or eight times in the past two days, she was lights-out."
🎥 Bri Marcelino breaks down her 3-for-3 performance today and the team's effort this weekend. #PhaseHow pic.twitter.com/sLF8YZhEzM
- UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 8, 2018
An uncertain weekend of winter-like temperatures resulted in several schedule changes, but the Huskies managed to grab two of three from UCF - who entered the weekend sitting in first place in the American. UConn ended a losing streak on Saturday and kept up the momentum on Sunday.
"That's life in New England in the spring. We're used to it and our kids are so resilient. We're used to rolling with the punches," said McIntyre. "I was really appreciative of our grounds crew and event management team to get our field ready."
UConn took an early lead on Sunday when Kerns - who came off a 4-for-4 day at the plate on Saturday - launched a solo home run off White to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. The advantage extended to 2-0 on a UCF throwing error in the third.
A solo shot to left-center by Chloe Kerns gives the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second! #PhaseHow pic.twitter.com/cJLdtNC06S
- UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 8, 2018
In the first four innings, Koshes left five runners on base and did not surrender a hit until the fourth frame. She had eight strikeouts, including four in the final three innings.
The Knights cut the lead to 2-1 in the fifth, but Sappington answered in the bottom half with a two-run blast - her team-leading sixth of the season - to put the Huskies in front by a 4-1 margin. Marcelino scored on the homer after recording her second double of the game.
Cutler tacked on a run for good measure in the sixth, blasting her fourth homer of the season to right field to give Koshes a four-run lead in the circle.
With the 5-1 victory, UConn earns its first-ever series win over UCF and picks up its first two wins at home this season. Koshes allowed just two earned runs in 13.1 innings of work this weekend, striking out 22 and scattering six hits.
The Huskies are back in action on Wednesday when they hit the road for a midweek game against Boston College. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
