University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Siena College
Huskies Sweep Siena, JMU on Day 1
3/6/2020 10:51:00 PM | Softball
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The UConn softball team concluded the opening day of the JMU Invitation with a 2-0 sweep, posting a 10-1 run-rule victory over the Siena Saints before beating host JMU in the second game, 9-5. UConn improves to 13-4 overall and pushes its win streak to three games.
Two elite performances from the UConn defense - including a combined one-hitter and new career-high in strikeouts, and an offensive clinic featuring 22 hits, 19 runs and a .417 average propelled the team to a perfect first day of the tournament.
The Huskies return to the field tomorrow for another set of games. UConn opens the day against the Cal Bears, with the opponent for game two TBD.
Game 1:
The Huskies made quick work of the Saints in their first game of the afternoon. The UConn offense flowed with precision as the Huskies recorded 11 hits, 10 runs, eight RBI's and accumulated a .478 average. UConn was just as impressive on the defensive side of the diamond, limiting Siena to just one hit on the afternoon.
Sophomore Aziah James (1-2) led the charge for UConn with three runs, senior Ashlee Dahman (0-1) close behind with two. Redshirt junior Olivia Sappington (3-3) and junior Reese Guevarra (1-3) each contributed a run and an RBI each, Devon Casazza (1-1), Briana Marcelino (0-3) and pinch runner Hollis Wivell added runs, and Kiwi McDaniel (2-3) and Carli Cutler (1-3) chipped in an RBI apiece.
Meghan O'Neil sees her record improve to 5-2 overall. The freshman recorded four strikeouts through four inning of work.
James started the game off getting walked and then stealing second – her 10th stolen base of the year. A couple plays later she reached home following Sappington's single up the middle, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
After going three-up and three-down in the second, the Huskies got the offense rolling at the top of the inning on another walk and second-base theft, this time courtesy of Marcelino. The junior helped UConn regain a 2-1 lead, then Wivell gave the Huskies a two-goal advantage after scoring off McDaniel's single through the right side.
The Huskies erupted for five runs in the fourth to open up a seven-point margin on the scoreboard. The five Husky tallies during the inning stemmed from just three hits. Dahman scored off Guevarra's single through the right side, James and Casazza tacked on a pair after Sappington's hit, then Guevarra and increased the UConn lead to 8-1 off Cutler's single up the middle.
UConn put the finishing touches on the win in the fifth. Pinch hitter Mackenzie Fitzpatrick singled up the middle, advancing to second following Casazza's sac bunt. James knocked a single through the left side and Dahman advanced to third on an error by the shortstop. Two plays later, Dahman and James came around for the ninth and tenth Husky runs of the day and UConn left with a run-rule victory.
Game 2:
UConn completed the Day 1 sweep with another dominating performance on both sides of the diamond.
The Husky offense picked up where it left off in game one. UConn notched a season-high three home runs, six different players scored runs while the team produced 11 hits in 31 at-bats. Olivia Sappington (2-4) paced the UConn offense with two runs – both homers – and three RBI's, with Briana Marcelino (2-4) close behind with two runs (one home run) and four RBI's. Aziah James (2-4) added a pair of runs, Reese Guevarra (2-4), Marybeth Olson (0-3) and pinch runner Cali Jolley chipped in one apiece and Samantha Barnett added an RBI to round out the offensive attack.
Defensively, the Huskies were just as pristine. Controlling the circle through all seven innings was Olson, who racked up a career-high 14 strikeouts en route to improving to 7-0 on the season. Additionally, UConn allowed just six hits and six walks through 29 at-bats.
James Madison struck first but UConn responded quickly. Sappington delivered a home run in her first at-bat of the game to immediately draw even, then Olson scored off Barnett's double down the right field loan to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead.
The Dukes regained a 3-2 advantage but held the lead for just a short time, as the Huskies put three runs on the board in the third. Guevarra started off singling through the right side, advancing to second after James reached on a fielding error. Marcelino stepped up and drilled one out of the park, bringing James and Guevarra home in the process to give UConn a 5-3 lead.
JMU cut its deficit to one in the fourth but the Huskies wouldn't allow them to get any closer.
Jolley put the Huskies ahead 6-4 in the top of the fifth off Cutler's single to left center, then James gave the visitors a three-run lead on Marcelino's single up the middle. Sappington delivered her second homer, bringing Marcelino around for a 9-5 UConn lead.
Olson struck out the side in the seventh to seal the deal.
