University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
University of Houston
AAC Tournament begins on Thursday in Houston
5/6/2019 1:44:00 PM | Softball
Championship Central | Tickets | Bracket | Live Stats | American Digital Network
STORRS, Conn.—The UConn softball team will travel to Houston, Texas for the 2019 American Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday at the Houston Cougars Softball Stadium. The sixth-seeded Huskies will take on the third-seeded Cougars at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT.
The American Digital Network will broadcast all of the quarterfinal match ups for free through Facebook, with Saturday's championship game on ESPN2 at noon ET/11 a.m. CT.
SCHEDULE OF TOURNAMENT
Quarterfinals – Thursday, May 9th | Live on ADN—Facebook
Game 1: No. 1 USF vs. No. 8 Memphis @ 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET
Game 2: No. 4 Wichita State vs. No. 5 UCF @ 12:30 p.m. CT/1:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: No. 2 Tulsa vs. No. 7 ECU @ 4:00 p.m. CT/5 p.m. ET
Game 4: No. 3 Houston vs. No. 6 UConn @ 6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET
"I am really proud of this group and all that we have accomplished so far. The goal this time of year is to have your team firing on all cylinders at the right time," said head coach Jen McIntyre. "We believe in us and we are anxious to battle tough in the AAC tournament. It is literally anyone's for the taking and we are anxious to get out there and compete one game at a time."
UConn has had a record-breaking 2019 campaign, with numerous bright spots from improved overall stats to viral highlight clips. Most recently, the Huskies took a game from the two-seeded Golden Hurricane behind the tremendous pitching of Jill Stockley.
UNDERESTIMATED UCONN
UConn was picked back in February to finish eighth overall in the American, and enters the tournament as the No. 6 seed. The Huskies have improve statistically in 11 areas from last season: highest number of runs at 194—in less games, team batting average .258, slugging percentage .365, stolen bases 30-38, home runs at 28, 177 RBIs, 485 total bases, .960 fielding percentage, several saves, eight shutouts, and 12 double plays.
This is the second consecutive season in the McIntyre era with 20 overall wins and the best start to a season since 2007. This is the first 21 overall win season since 2013. UConn has surpassed five conference wins this year for the first time, since the transition to the AAC. At eight conference wins, this is the highest amount in program history.
The Huskies have three series wins heading into the AAC tournament, against The Shockers of Wichita State, Tigers of Memphis, and the Pirates of ECU. This is the most in program history and the series sweep over ECU is the first ever against the Pirates.
UConn has had seven total AAC weekly award recognitions with Briana Marcelino and Marybeth Olson as headliners after their sweep of the awards back on Apr. 8th. The duo was also mentioned in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's weekly publication for their efforts. Kiwi McDaniel and Olivia Sappington have also been named to the conference Weekly Honor Roll.
Olson touts a no-hitter against Hartford back on Apr. 2nd and have six run-rule victories on the season, in addition to an 11 inning victory over Quinnipiac.
SCOUTING THE AMERICAN
USF claimed their second-consecutive regular season title with their recent victory over Wichita State. The Bulls enter the tournament as the top seed team for the third time in the past four seasons. The three-day single elimination tournament will be full very competitive games.
FAMILIAR FOE
Houston is 37-17 overall and 12-8 in conference play. The Cougars concluded the regular season at home hosting the Pirates of ECU, taking two out of the three games played.
UConn faced Houston back on Apr. 12th-14th in three very tough contests in Houston. The Cougars took game one of the conference series 9-0 in five innings. The Huskies responded in the next two games, sending a strong message that they wouldn't be put down so easily. The latter pair of games were decided by two runs or less.
