Softball Comes Up Just Shy in Extra Inning Thriller

Sunday, February 21

Fort Myers, Florida

11:30 AM

University of Connecticut

3-2

Florida Gulf Coast University

4-4

UConn

FGCU

Photo by: Skip Zinn

2/21/2021 6:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The UConn softball team battled until the very end but ultimately came up short, falling to Florida Gulf Coast, 5-4, in a back-and-forth, 11-inning thriller on the final day of the FGCU Invitational.

Redshirt junior Hollis Wivell (1-5) picked up a pair of runs and an RBI to lead the UConn scoring. Senior Briana Marcelino (0-2) and freshman Jana Sanden (1-5) rounded out the Husky runs as each notched one apiece. Senior Reese Guevarra accounted for three of UConn's seven hits, while Aziah James and Sami Barnett chipped in one hit apiece.

In the circle, Freshman Payton Kinney (2-1) picked up a season-high nine strikeouts in the losing effort and allowed just eight hits through 45 batters faced.

Guevarra got the UConn offense going much earlier today, opening up the first inning with a single to left center followed by a theft of second base after the senior caught the defense napping. In the back half of the first, Kinney picked up her first two strikeouts of the day while the UConn defense closed out the frame and left a runner stranded on base.

Marcelino opened up the game scoring and put the Huskies on the board early in the second. The senior was walked to open the inning, then stole second to put the Huskies in motion. Sanden reached on a fielder's choice, Marcelino advanced ahead to third, then Sanden notched UConn's second-consecutive bag theft which placed the team in prime scoring position. On the ensuing at-bat, Wivell grounded out to the FGCU shortstop and Marcelino scored to give UConn the early one-run advantage.

Strong defensive performances on both sides kept either team from putting points on the board in the third, fourth and fifth innings. The Eagles managed to breakthrough and get on the scoreboard in the sixth, though. FGCU produced a pair of runs in the frame, scoring off a single up the middle and a double to center field to take a 2-1 lead. From there, the back-and-forth action commenced as the teams traded blows throughout the remainder of the contest.

UConn delivered a quick response to FGCU's two-score sixth inning with a run in the top of the seventh. Wivell singled, then advanced to second on a FGCU throwing error. Casazza's sac bunt advanced Wivell up to third, then Guevarra picked up an RBI triple that brought Wivell home and knotted the game at two. The UConn defense then delivered a quick 1-2-3 in the bottom of the frame to send the contest into extras.

Back on offense, the Huskies put themselves in great position to reclaim the lead in the eighth. After Taylor Zatyk was placed at second to begin the inning, Barnett bunt singled to first base and then advanced to second on a throwing error, moving Zatyk ahead to third in the process. Benson was hit by a pitch on the next at-bat which brought her to first base. Just like that UConn was threatening with the bases loaded, but FGCU managed to escape the half inning unscathed. In the back half of the frame, the Husky defense returned the favor by striking out the side and leaving a runner stranded at second to keep the game level at two.

UConn regained a one-run advantage on Wivell's second run of the afternoon. After Wivell was placed on second, Casazza's sac bunt advanced her to third. Shortly after, James' single to right field scored Wivell and the Huskies were back in front, 3-2. The Eagles would get one back, though, and the two sides headed to the 10^th deadlocked at three apiece.

Another quick response from the Huskies in the top of the 10^th gave the visitors a 4-3 lead. Zatyk again began the frame at second base, and after Benson was hit with a pitch and Marcelino was walked, UConn once again had the bases loaded. Sanden stepped to the plate and hit a single over to center field, scoring Zatyk and putting UConn back in front.

The Eagles once again had a counter for the Huskies, and drew even on a single through the right side. Following a quick 1-2-3 by the defense at the top of the 11th, FGCU delivered another single through the right side and the Eagles escaped with victory.