University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
21-18
Villanova University
32-13
Casazza’s Clutch Hit Leads Huskies to First Round Win
5/13/2021 7:10:00 PM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. – Devon Casazza's RBI double to right center propelled the UConn (21-18) softball team past Villanova (32-13), 4-3, Thursday afternoon at Burrill Family Field in the first round of the BIG EAST Softball Championships.
The Huskies advance to play the Butler Bulldogs tomorrow afternoon with first pitch slated for 12:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FS2.
UConn opened up the offense in the top of the third when Aziah James stepped up to the plate and singled up the middle. A couple batters later Reese Guevarra added a single of her own to advance the UConn runners ahead and load up the bases before Jana Sanden's RBI single to left field scored the leadoff Wivell to put the Huskies on the board first. Sami Barnett notched single on the next play, and the power on the hit positioned it perfectly so that Guevarra and James could round home plate.
Villanova found its footing in the fourth inning and tied the game at three apiece on a bases-loaded walk and a 2RBI single through the left side.
The Huskies continued to come at the Villanova defense and posted a pair of hits in the sixth while loading the bases but a pop up and fielder's choice ended the frame before UConn could push anyone across. The Huskies wouldn't be denied again.
Barnett received a walk to get the Huskies on base then Casazza smashed a two-bagger to right center to regain the lead. Villanova's leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh would get on base with a single, but the Husky defense gave up nothing else as they retired the side to lock down the result.
Payton Kinney picked up her 10th win of the season after tossing 2.1 innings with a trio of strikeouts in relief. Marybeth Olson also saw time in the circle and pitched 3.2 innings while collecting four K's. Meghan O'Neil finished off the game and earned her second save of the season.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kinney, Payton (10-11)
L: Sara Kennedy (6-4)
S: O'Neil, Meghan (2)
Batting:
2B: Casazza, Devon 1
RBI: Sanden, Jana 1 ; Barnett, Sami 2 ; Casazza, Devon 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Guevarra, Reese 1 ; Barnett, Sami 1 ; Wivell, Hollis 1 ; James, Aziah 1
Batting:
RBI: Angela Giampolo 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Erin Gray 1 ; Sydney Hayes 1 ; Dani Dabroski 1
HBP: Angela Giampolo 1 ; Sydney Hayes 1
