Huskies Post 7-0 Shutout of Hofstra to Open Week

Tuesday, March 10

Hempstead, NY

2:00 PM

University of Connecticut

16-5

Hofstra University

3-15

Connecticut

Hofstra

Photo by: Skip Zinn

3/10/2020 5:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The UConn softball team opened the week in dominating fashion, posting a 7-0 shutout victory over the Hofstra Pride Tuesday afternoon at Bill Edwards Stadium. The Huskies improve to 16-5 overall and push their win streak to three games.

Samantha Barnett had a solid day at the plate, recording a home run and three RBI's while going 3-4. Briana Marcelino (1-4) put up two runs and three RBI's, Aziah James (1-3) tallied a run and stole her 11^th base of the season, and Carli Cutler (2-2) added two RBI's of her own while Kiwi McDaniel (1-3), Marybeth Olson (0-1) and pinch runner Cali Jolley chipped in one run apiece.

The pitching unit for the Huskies put in another strong showing in the circle. Olson started through the first four innings, improving to 10-0 overall after totaling one strikeout and allowing just three hits against 14 batters faced. Freshman Meghan O'Neil notched four strikeouts and allowed just two hits against 13 batters faced in three innings of relief.

"I'm reall proud of the pitchers' performance today," said head Coach Laura Valentino. "Throwing a shutout, that's a good outting for Marybeth and Meghan coming in later. Sammy had a day at the plate, so great job by her. We're excited to practice for two days this week and hungry to get some more wins this weekend."

After a scoreless opening inning that featured a quick 1-2-3 from Olson, Cutler got UConn started in the top of the second with a single to right field - Olson and McDaniel made it home for a 2-0 Husky lead. Cutler's two-RBI sequence was set up following back-to-back walks of Olson and McDaniel, who then advanced up a base on a passed ball.

After Marcelino added a run in the 3^rd to increase the lead to three, the junior infielder broke the game open in the 4^th as she blasted a line drive three-run bomb to left center bringing James and Jolley, who subbed in for Cutler, in to give UConn a 6-0 lead. Cutler got the inning started with a single through the right side, then James was walked to place the Huskies in scoring position.

Barnett increased the lead to seven in the top of the fifth on her second dinger of the year, blasting one 10 feet past the right field wall.