USF slips past UConn in doubleheader

Thursday, April 18

Storrs, Conn.

1:00 pm

University of Connecticut

16-25, 4-9

University of South Florida

33-15, 11-1

South Florida

UConn

Photo by: Stephen Slade

4/18/2019 7:22:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

STORRS, Conn.—The UConn (16-26, 4-10) softball team hosted USF (34-15, 4-10) in a doubleheader on rainy and cold Thursday afternoon. The Huskies contended well with the Bulls on the afternoon but were unable to garner a split decision on the day, with USF taking both games.

Game 1

Senior Jill Stockley (1-7) took to the mound in the first game of the afternoon, leading the charge for the UConn defense. She would go the length striking out five batters with only five walks through 29 Bulls' at-bats. The defense also caught a pair of USF baserunners stealing with the duo of Devon Casazza and Alexis Lemus teaming up for the outs.

Casazza's throw to second base was the highlight of the 6th inning pic.twitter.com/qrq5VON48l
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 18, 2019

On the offensive end, the Huskies kept coming at the Bulls during the course of the seven innings. UConn nabbed a hit in four of the seven for a total of five hits. The Huskies attempted a rally late in the fourth, picking up a pair of hits from Briana Marcelino who sent one directly to the shortstop and Lemus' single that went over to third base. However, the two would be left stranded on a strike out looking.

USF brought in a runner in both the first and second innings, and then rounded a pair in the top of the seventh to take the game 4-0 over UConn.

Game 2

The second game of this doubleheader was a back-and-forth contest both physically and emotionally. Marybeth Olson (10-12) received the nod to start in the circle for the Huskies. She pitched 6.1 innings and struck out seven batters while only walking three. She was relieved by Katie Koshes who finished the match up. Koshes added a strikeout to UConn's efforts with no walks down the stretch. The Husky defense caught yet another baserunner attempting to steal, and the aforementioned duo would snag their third baserunner on the day.

USF got out to a hot start by sending a homer over left center to score their first pair of runs. The Bulls attempted to pull away from the Huskies in the top of the fourth when they added another run to their cause on a wild pitch. However, Olivia Sappington's response to USF for her team would be heard around campus as she sent a home run soaring to right field. This would be her fourth home run of the 2019 season. Catcher Maura Glatczak sent a single into left field and advanced to second on Bulls error out in left field, sending Lemus across home plate. And, just like that, UConn had cut into the USF lead at 3-2.

SAPPINGTON'S 4TH HOME RUN THIS SEASON! pic.twitter.com/M0YPVJapp2
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) April 18, 2019

The Bulls scored two in the top of the seventh to go up 5-2 over the Huskies headed into the bottom of the seventh. Due up for UConn was Ashlee Dahman, Reese Guevarra, and Ashley Esty. Guevarra opened up the offense with a single second base. Esty stepped in and sent one at the pitcher, moving Guevarra to second. Next in the order was Marcelino, who singled to center field to load the bases. This offense stance by the Huskies brought on a pitching change for the Bulls. This would prove to be no matter for Sappington whose sacrifice fly to center field would score Guevarra. The USF lead had been cut to just two. Kiwi McDaniel stepped into the batter's box for UConn and delivered a single to first base that sent Marcelino to second and unfortunately, Esty would be out on the play at home.

The Huskies will play the series finale versus the Bulls Friday, April 19th with first-pitch at noon on Burrill Family Field. Live stats and stream will be available for the single game.