University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
13-11, 0
DePaul University
12-7, 0
UConn Drops Friday Doubleheader
4/2/2021 9:27:00 PM | Softball
CHICAGO, Ill. – The UConn (13-12, 5-3 BIG EAST) softball team stumbled in its Friday afternoon doubleheader at DePaul. The Huskies contended well with the Blue Demons but were unable to garner a split decision on the day, with DePaul taking both games.
Game 1 – DePaul 5, UConn 1
UConn wasted no time getting bat to ball in the opening game of Friday's two-game slate, as leadoff hitter Reese Guevarra punched a single up the middle to get on base and pick up UConn's first hit of the day. Unfortunately, the top of the order wouldn't be able to bring her home, as the Blue Demon's retired the side to escape the inning unscathed.
DePaul found its footing in the bottom of the third and opened up the game scoring on and RBI single to left field. A couple batters later, a homerun to left field increased the home team's lead to 3-0.
The Huskies were able to get one back in the top of the fifth to pull themselves within a pair. Being the second batter in the order, Hollis Wivell snapped UConn's four-inning hitting drought with a bunt single and took up real estate on first. She would be rewarded shortly after – Emily Piergustavo notched a two-bagger, ripping a fastball into the center-field gap that brought Wivell home for the first UConn run of the game to pull within two. After Cali Jolley subbed in to pinch run for Piergustavo, Makenzie Mason picked up a single moving Jolley to third. Mason then stole second, but a ground out ended the inning before the Huskies could get any closer.
The Blue Demons would add two more in the bottom of the frame, then got back-to-back three up, three downs from the defense to lock down the result.
Payton Kinney (8-9) led the UConn defense through four innings and delivered five strikeouts before she was relieved by Meghan O'Neil who tossed two innings.
Game 2 – DePaul 6, UConn 4
Keen to the strategies of the Blue Demons, UConn kept the scoring at bay for a pair of innings some good defensive play. The Huskies withstood an early bases loaded situation in the bottom of the first, then forced DePaul into going three up, three down in the second.
UConn got on the scoreboard first in game number two against the Blue Demons. The third opened with Mason reaching on a fielding error, but the freshman was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice which allowed Guevarra to get on first after she picked up a single. Guevarra advanced to second, then Aziah James stepped into the batter's box and popped one up into the air and over the head of the second baseman. The RBI double to center field brought in Guevarra from second as the Huskies struck for the game's first run. Jana Sanden followed with a single moving James up to third. Briana Marcelino was next in line – up against a full count, Marcelino slapped a one deep down the right center field gap. The three RBI homerun scored James and Sanden as well, increasing the UConn lead to four.
DePaul got two back in the back half of the inning and pulled within two after scoring on an error and a bases-loaded walk. In the following half inning, the Blue Demons fought back to take a 6-4 lead, putting four on the board via four-consecutive extra-base hits.
UConn became acute to the Blue Demons' offensive game plan and kept them scoreless through the next couple of innings to remain within a pair of runs. The Huskies attempted to mount a rally on the DePaul defense and managed to get a pair on base via a Guevarra walk and James' single to centerfield. A strikeout and fly out to left field would end the game, denying UConn's comeback bid.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: HALVORSON, Natalie (4-3)
L: Kinney, Payton (8-9)
Batting:
2B: Piergustavo, Emily 1
RBI: Piergustavo, Emily 1
SH: James, Aziah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wivell, Hollis 1
SB: Mason, Makenzie 1
Batting:
2B: COTHERN, Jessica 1 ; GUTIERREZ, Maranda 1
HR: GUTIERREZ, Maranda 1
RBI: JOHNSON, Brooke 1 ; GUTIERREZ, Maranda 4
Base Running:
RUNS: COTHERN, Jessica 1 ; GOMEZ, Julyana 1 ; JOHNSON, Brooke 2 ; GUTIERREZ, Maranda 1
SB: SCALZITTI, Angela 1 ; HILGER, Skylor 1
