University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
11-10, 0
Butler University
9-12, 0
UConn Sweeps Saturday Doubleheader
3/27/2021 11:10:00 PM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. – UConn softball (12-10, 4-1 BIG EAST) extended its win streak to five games with a sweep in its doubleheader against Butler (9-13, 2-6 BIG EAST) Saturday afternoon. The Huskies posted a 6-1 victory in the first game, then followed it up with a 4-2 win.
At the plate, UConn's efforts on the day were spearheaded via a couple of homeruns from Jana Sanden and Devon Casazza, as well as doubles from Reese Guevarra (2) and Sanden. Makenzie Mason also had a big day for the Huskies recording a triple and three of the team's nine RBI.
Freshman Payton Kinney (7-8) picked up a pair wins in the circle and notched a dozen strikeouts with a 0.66 ERA, while allowing just four hits, one run and three walks against 41 batters through the two games.
Game 1 – UConn 6, Butler 1
The contest started off a little slow for both squads with neither able to break the seal until the Huskies blew the lid off in the third inning.
UConn's half inning began with a Casazza fly out and a Mason walk, but Guevarra would get the offense rolling during her at-bat. Being the third batter in the order in the bottom third, she laced a two-bagger into the gap in left center. The RBI double brought in Mason from first and gave UConn an early 1-0 lead. The Huskies weren't done yet, though. Following Aziah James' single to the shortstop, Sanden stepped into the batter's box and homered down the left-field line. The 3 RBI home run rounded James and Guevarra as well, extending the Husky lead to four.
After being kept off the board in the fourth and fifth frames, the Huskies added two more to its lead in the top of the sixth. Sami Barnett was the leadoff and did not disappoint as she slapped a single up the middle. Hollis Wivell bunt singled and Barnett advanced all the way to third, then Wivell stole third. A couple batters later, Mason smacked a line-drive base hit into center field that rolled to the wall, and the freshman turned on the afterburners as she rounded the bases before sliding into third. Wivell and Barnett were brought in on the 2 RBI triple and stretched the UConn lead to six.
Butler's Ricketts homered in the seventh for the Bulldog's solo run of the contest.
Game 2 – UConn 4, Butler 2
UConn took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Wivell reached on an error by the third baseman – scoring Barnett from second.
Butler struck back in the fourth, scoring two runs off Griman's homer to right center and Avery's single up the middle that brought in Ricketts. That would be the first and only lead of the game for the Bulldogs, and it didn't last long either – The Huskies scored in the following half inning on a dinger sent flying past the center-field wall by Casazza to knot the score at two apiece.
The Huskies heated up in the bottom of the sixth and retook the lead, for good, behind some timely and clutch hitting. Barnett was the leadoff hitter and got the offense started with a double to right center. Ashley Esty entered the game to pinch hit for Wivell and took up real estate at first after being hit by the pitch. Soon thereafter, Emily Piergustavo drilled one up the middle which loaded the bases after Esty and Barnett advanced to second and third. With the momentum shifted in favor of UConn, Mason stepped up to the plate and delivered a single up the middle that sent Barnett home to score. Guevarra followed suit with a single of her own, which rounded Esty and gave the Huskies a 4-2 lead.
A pop up to the shortstop ended the game, locking down the result and giving UConn the series win.
Next Up…
The Huskies look to complete the three-game sweep against the Bulldogs with a Sunday morning matinee. First pitch is set for 10:00 a.m.
Leave Your Mark…
If you are interested in leaving your mark on our new stadium and helping us build our championship legacy please click the link below. Build Blue, brick by brick!
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kinney, Payton (6-8)
L: RICKETTS, Karli (6-5)
Batting:
HR: RICKETTS, Karli 1
RBI: RICKETTS, Karli 1
Base Running:
RUNS: RICKETTS, Karli 1
Batting:
2B: Guevarra, Reese 2
3B: Mason, Makenzie 1
HR: Sanden, Jana 1
RBI: Guevarra, Reese 1 ; Sanden, Jana 3 ; Mason, Makenzie 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Guevarra, Reese 1 ; James, Aziah 1 ; Sanden, Jana 1 ; Barnett, Sami 1 ; Wivell, Hollis 1 ; Mason, Makenzie 1
SB: Wivell, Hollis 1
