Huskies Knock Off No. 21 Baylor, 7-3

Saturday, February 27

Waco, TX

6:00 PM

University of Connecticut

6-4

Baylor University

4-3

UConn

Baylor

Photo by: Stephen Slade

2/28/2021 12:08:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

WACO, Texas – Spectacular play on both sides of the diamond propelled UConn to a 7-3 victory over the twenty-first-ranked Baylor Bears (4-3) Saturday night at Getterman Stadium. The Huskies improve to 5-4 overall and pick up their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

UConn's offense recorded 10 hits on 27 at-bats and put up 10 runs, seven RBI's and a trio of stolen bases. Defensively, the Huskies allowed just three runs, held Baylor to just one hit through the first three innings, and made several dazzling catches – including a three diving grabs from Briana Marcelino, Aziah James and Reese Guevarra. Freshman Payton Kinney tallied three strikeouts in the win and improved to 3-2 in the circle this season.

Marcelino picked up right where she left off, turning in three runs (one home run) and a pair of RBI's while going 2-for-2 at the plate. Aziah James (2-3) added a couple runs, and Guevarra (2-4) and Taylor Zatyk (0-1) tallied one apiece to round out the scoring. Classmates Lauren Benson (1-4) and Jana Sanden (2-3) each posted two RBI's and Hollis Wivell chipped in one.

The Huskies jumped on Baylor early and opened the game scoring in the top of the first. Guevarra started things off with a single to center field, then stole second which placed UConn in scoring position. James was walked, then Zatyk followed with a sac bunt that positioned runners at second and third. Guevarra scored on Sanden's RBI single to center field and gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. UConn doubled its advantage in the third on Marcelino's third home run of the day.

After Baylor cut their deficit in half with a run in the bottom fourth, UConn answered with a pair in the fifth to extend the lead to three. James scored on Sanden's double to right field and Marcelino made it 4-1 after making it home on Wivell's ground out.

Runs in the fifth and sixth pulled the Lady Bears within a point and the home team appeared to have grabbed a bit of momentum towards the end of the sixth. But the Huskies snatched the momentum right back after securing the out to close the inning while leaving runners stranded at second and third.

UConn put the game away in the seventh with a trio of runs. James started the inning off with a single to first base, then stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. After Zatyk was walked, James scored on Marcelino's RBI single up the middle to put the Huskies ahead by four. Soon after, Benson's single brought James and Marcelino home and UConn increased its lead to 7-3. A quick three up, three down by the defense locked down the result and the Huskies picked up their first win of the year over a Power-5 opponent.