University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Boston University
UConn heads to South Carolina for Upstate Classic
2/14/2019 9:00:00 AM | Softball
STORRS, Conn.—The UConn softball team will travel down south to compete in the two day Upstate Classic, hosted by USC Upstate. The tournament will start on Friday, February 15th and UConn will face Boston University, Bowling Green, and host Upstate over the course of four games.
Due to the possibility of severe weather, Friday and Saturday schedules were amended. On Friday Huskies will take on the Terriers of Boston U at 9:00 a.m. and the Spartans of Upstate at 3:00 p.m. Saturday has a later start, with first pitch coming against the Falcons of Bowling Green at 3:00 p.m. and a 5:00 p.m. game versus the Upstate.
Click here, for tournament central.
Complete weekend schedule is below:
FRIDAY
UConn vs. Boston University, 9:00 a.m. (Live Stats)
UConn at USC – Upstate, 3:00 p.m. (Live Stats)
SATURDAY
UConn vs. Bowling Green, 3:00 p.m. (Live Stats)
UConn vs. Upstate, 5:00 p.m. (Live Stats)
The Huskies are out to a 3-1 start after competing in Florida International's opening weekend tournament Feb. 8t-10t. UConn would win the pair of games against Bryant, 11-0 and 3-0, as well as their single game against Michigan State, 3-2. The 3-0 start would be the best opening streak since the 2007 season. After a long and rainy weekend, the Huskies suited up for the final game of the tournament versus host FIU in a loss 7-0. Marybeth Olson received American Athletic Conference recognition for her efforts in the circle against Bryant on last Saturday going the length, delivering 11 strikeouts, and only giving up three Bulldog hits.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Boston is out to a 2-3 overall start to the young 2019 season, after taking on four teams during the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C. last weekend. The Terriers swept Rider in both games 8-0 in five innings and 8-2. Boston also took on No. 8 Tennessee, Illinois-Chicago, and host Coastal Carolina. In the Patriot League Preseason Poll the Terriers were selected to repeat with reigning Patriot League and ECAC Coach of the Year Ashley Waters at the helm. Boston also placed several student-athletes of the preseason All-Patriot Team with sophomore pitcher Ali DuBois being named a Preseason All-American.
The Spartans (3-1) commenced their 2019 season with a home tournament against Youngstown State, Towson, Miami (Ohio), and East Carolina. Finishing the 2018 season 35-19, 10-6 in the ASUN, Upstate has now moved to the Big South Conference after 11 years in the ASUN. Head Coach Chris Hawkins is in his 25th season and returns 10 letterwinners from last season along with 12 newcomers. Senior pitcher Christina Biggerstaff was selected as Pitcher of the Week at 2-0, 0.54 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and 13 innings.
Bowling Green will open their season this week at the Upstate Classic and hopes to carry their 5-0-1 success from winter into spring. The Falcons are led by Head Coach Sarah Willis who welcomes back 16 student-athletes from last season and added nine newcomers for the 2019 campaign. In the Preseason Poll release by the Mid-American Conference, Bowling Green was picked to finish eighth ahead of Toledo, Akron, and Buffalo.
