University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
6-7
University of South Carolina
11-2
UConn Falls in Extras as #17 South Carolina Rallies Late
3/6/2021 8:41:00 PM | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The UConn softball team (6-7) dropped a tough one Saturday afternoon, falling to #17 South Carolina, 7-6, in an eight-inning clash on the second day of the Carolina Classic. The Huskies were able to jump out to an early advantage but were unable to keep South Carolina at bay.
Briana Marcelino led the way for UConn as the senior tallied a home run and three RBI's while going 2-for-2 at the plate. Devon Casazza (2-4) recorded a pair of home runs to go with her three RBI's, Reese Guevarra (1-4) added a double, and Jana Sanden picked up two hits in three appearances at the plate, rounding out the UConn offensive leaders. Payton Kinney notched nine punch-outs in seven innings of work, tying a season and career-high.
Guevarra gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the bottom first. The senior got the team off to a quick start with a double-bagger to right center, eventually making it home on Marcelino's single through the left side.
After the Gamecocks leveled the score in the top of the third, UConn countered with a pair of home runs in the bottom third that gave them a three-run lead. Casazza kicked the frame off with a homer to center field. Sanden picked up a single soon after, then Marcelino hit a shot to left center that put the team in front by three, 4-1. The Huskies added a pair in the fourth and increased their advantage to five following Casazza's second dinger, which also scored Makenzie Mason.
South Carolina pulled themselves within a point after putting four on the board in the top of the fifth frame, then managed to find the equalizer in the seventh to level the score at six.
UConn had an opportunity to grab the win in regulation. The Huskies were able to get a pair on base and put themselves in scoring position, but the Gamecocks managed to get out of the inning unscathed and the game headed to extras.
South Carolina clawed all the way back and took a 7-6 lead in the top of the eighth. The Huskies sought the tying run in the bottom half but were unable to create anything offensively, as the Gamecocks were able to complete their rally and steal the victory away.
Up Next…
UConn closes out the weekend with a pair of Sunday games. The Huskies wrap up the Carolina Classic with a 10:00 a.m. contest against Elon in the third-place game. Following that, UConn will head up the road to Durham for a 2:00 p.m. tilt at Duke.
Leave Your Mark…
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: B Betenbaugh (4-0)
L: Kinney, Payton (3-5)
Batting:
2B: Z. Laneaux 1 ; M. Gallagher 1
HR: M. Boesel 1 ; Z. Laneaux 1
RBI: M. Boesel 1 ; K. Krupit 1 ; Z. Laneaux 4 ; M. Gallagher 1
SH: K. Gleason 1
SF: K. Krupit 1
Base Running:
RUNS: C. Henderson 1 ; M. Boesel 2 ; K. Maguire 2 ; Z. Laneaux 1 ; A. Kumiyama 1
SB: K. Maguire 1 ; J. Fabian 1 ; M. Gallagher 1
CS: C. Henderson 1
HBP: M. Gallagher 1
Batting:
2B: Guevarra, Reese 1
HR: Marcelino, Briana 1 ; Casazza, Devon 2
RBI: Marcelino, Briana 3 ; Casazza, Devon 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Guevarra, Reese 1 ; Sanden, Jana 1 ; Marcelino, Briana 1 ; Mason, Makenzie 1 ; Casazza, Devon 2
CS: Wivell, Hollis 1
HBP: Marcelino, Briana 2
