University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Northern Illinois University
Huskies Head to Sunshine State for FGCU Invitational
2/18/2021 4:01:00 PM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. – After last weekend's tournament was canceled due to inclement weather conditions, the UConn softball team will officially open up their 2021 season at the FGCU Invitational in Fort Myers, Fla.
UConn opens the weekend with a matchup against Northern Illinois, with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. Following that contest, the Huskies will face FIU at 1:15 p.m. to close out Day 1.
Saturday, the Huskies will face FIU for the second time before squaring off against host-school FGCU. Both games are slated for 4:15 and 6:30 p.m., respectively. UConn wraps up the weekend with another tilt against the Eagles on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Game Information
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Date |
Opponent |
Time |
Live Stats |
Live Stream |
|
Friday, Feb. 19 |
NIU |
11:00 a.m. |
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Friday, Feb. 19 |
FIU |
1:15 p.m. |
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Saturday, Feb. 20 |
FIU |
4:15 p.m. |
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Saturday, Feb. 20 |
FGCU |
6:30 p.m. |
||
|
Sunday, Feb. 21 |
FGCU |
11:30 a.m. |
A Well-Balanced Roster…
Under second-year head coach Laura Valentino, the UConn softball team has a well-balanced roster heading into the 2021 season. Of 21 players on the roster, the freshman (7) and sophomore (3) classes combine to make up 10 of the roster spots. In addition to the youth, Valentino's leadership is made up of six juniors, four seniors and a graduate student.
Building on Momentum…
The Huskies are looking to pick up right where they left off in 2020. Prior to the season ultimately getting cancelled due to CoVID-19, UConn jumped out to a 16-5 record to begin the 2020 season. The 16 victories featured three Power-5 wins, six shutouts, five run-rule victories, and was the program's best start through 21 games since the 1993 season.
Key Returners on the Mound…
Two of three pitchers for UConn are returners, led by senior Marybeth Olson. Last season on the mound Olson nabbed 10 wins, pitched 62.1 innings, 1.46 ERA and 80 strikeouts. She is accompanied by sophomore Meghan O'Neil and freshman Payton Kinney.
Welcome To UConn…
The Huskies welcome seven freshmen to its roster. This class consists of a pair of catchers (Lauren Bensen/ Madisyn Estorga), four outfielders (Jana Sanden/Makenzie Mason/Taylor Zatyk/Rileigh DeWeese) and the aforementioned Kinney. From all over the country, these student-athletes hail from Connecticut, New York, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, California and British Columbia
Scouting the Opponent…
- FGCU (1-3) is coming off a four-game home series against the 24th-ranked UCF Knights. The Eagles were able to steal the third game of the series with a come-from-behind, 3-2 win off the bat of Taylor Bauman. Bauman ended up claiming ASUN Player of the Week honors for her performance. FGCU leads the all-time series, 1-7.
- The Panthers enter the weekend with a 3-0 mark following a win over FAU and a two-game sweep of Winthrop last week. Vanessa Gallegos paced FIU during those three days, accumulating two doubles, one homer, 10 RBI's and a .700 batting average. On the mound, Kendahl Dunford went 2-0 and compiled a 1.27 ERA. FIU leads the all-time series, 1-6.
- NIU enters the 2021 campaign after finishing 2020 with a 7-15 mark. The Huskies return several key players to their roster including Danielle Williams and Bianca Barone, who led the team in batting average (.417) and RBI's (12), respectively. Three experienced pitchers also return to the mound, with each record at least two wins. All-time, NIU has won five of the eight meetings.
