UConn Rallies for Two Wins at Providence

Tuesday, April 27

Providence, RI

3 p.m.

University of Connecticut

14-13, 6-4

Providence College

3-13-1, 2-10-1

UConn

Providence

Photo by: Stephen Slade

4/28/2021 12:16:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – UConn (15-13, 7-4 BIG EAST) softball faced early four-run deficits in its doubleheader at Providence (3-14-1, 2-10-1 BIG EAST) Tuesday afternoon, but the Huskies were able to rally back in both contests (6-4, 8-5) to pick up a pair of wins and sweep the two-game set.

The Huskies and Friars close out the series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.

Game 1 – UConn 6, Providence 4

The Friars drew first blood in the opening matchup, scoring in the first inning on an RBI single to left field. They doubled their lead on a bases-loaded walk, then added home runs in the third and fourth to increase the lead. Providence's 4-0 lead wouldn't hold for much longer, though.

Reese Guevarra, the second batter in the order in the top of the fifth for the Huskies, started off the inning with a double to center field. Her hard work in the batter's box was rewarded as Aziah James followed with a double of her own to score Guevarra and get the Huskies on the board. Two batters later, Sami Barnett drilled a 2RBI homer to left field and just like that, UConn had pulled within one, 4-3.

Hollis Wivell knotted the game at four apiece in the top of the sixth when she scored on a passed ball. Later in the inning, James' single to third brought Lauren Benson in to give the Huskies their first lead of the game – one they wouldn't relinquish.

UConn added an insurance run in the seventh via Devon Casazza's double. She slapped her two-bagger down the right field line and Barnett crossed home, increasing the advantage to two. A quick 1-2-3 inning from the defense locked up the win and completed the comeback for the Huskies.

Marybeth Olson got the start in the circle for UConn – her first of the season. The senior tossed four innings and picked up seven strikeouts. Meghan O'Neil (6-3) struck out a pair in three innings of relief and picked up her sixth win of the season.

Game 2 – UConn 8, Providence 5

Providence got off to another hot start by sending a 2RBI homerun to center field. The Friars attempted to pull away from the Huskies as they doubled the lead with their second 2RBI homer of the first inning. UConn never wavered though, and the Huskies snatched the momentum behind a six-spot in the third inning.

Following a strikeout to begin the frame, Guevarra got the offense going with a double to right center. James reached on an error by the pitcher and advanced to second; Guevarra crossed home to get UConn on the board. James stole third, then scored on Jana Sanden's double to right center. Barnett added another extra-base hit moving Sanden up to third, then Marcelino's single brought Sanden and Barnett in to tie the game at four.

A pitching change for Providence didn't disrupt the UConn momentum, as Wivell was walked, then stole second. On the ensuing at bat, Casazza's ground out brought Marcelino in and put the Huskies in front. Benson was next up and knocked a single over to right field that scored Wivell and increased the UConn lead to two.

The Friars managed to get one back in the fourth on a home run to right field, but that would be their last run of the day. Barnett and Marcelino added runs in the fifth to give UConn an 8-5 advantage, and the defense held Providence to two hits and left three stranded through the final three frames to secure the victory.

O'Neil got the nod to start in the circle for the Huskies and tossed 3.1 innings in addition to four strikeouts. Olson garnered her first win of the season and picked up a trio of punch outs in 3.2 innings of work.

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