University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
20-16, 12-7
Villanova University
30-12, 13-2
Huskies Tripped Up at Villanova
5/8/2021 5:37:00 PM | Softball
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – UConn (20-17, 12-8 BIG EAST) took on Villanova (31-12, 14-2 BIG EAST) in a doubleheader to conclude the 2021 regular season. The Huskies battled with the Wildcats in both games and the defense was on full display as UConn produced 22 strikeouts on the afternoon, including 14 through two games from Meghan O'Neil.
Game 1 – Villanova 1, UConn 0
The Huskies played a tight game against the Wildcats in the first game of the doubleheader. The intense UConn defense kept Villanova scoreless through three and a half innings. The Huskies withstood an early Villanova scoring threat and O'Neil struck out six through the first four innings goings as UConn did not falter under this high pressured offense.
The Wildcats broke their scoring drought in the bottom of the fourth on a single down the left field line.
UConn sent the order at Villanova's Paige Rauch but were unable to get much rolling offensively. Aziah James and Jana Sanden produced the two UConn hits of the afternoon in the top of the six with James knocking a bunt single to the pitcher and Sanden sending the ball blasting to the second baseman. The Huskies were able to load the bases but couldn't push any runs across.
Starting in the circle for UConn in this game was O'Neil (10-4) who tossed a complete game delivering seven strikeouts.
Game 2 – Villanova 7, UConn 6
Keen to the strategies of the Wildcats, UConn kept the scoring at bay for a pair of innings with quick defensive turnarounds.
The Huskies drew first blood in game two, striking for the game's first run when Reese Guevarra reached home plate on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch. UConn added three more to its cause on a 3RBI double off the bat of Devon Casazza as she smacked the two-bagger to center field. Unfortunately, UConn's 4-0 lead didn't last for much longer.
Three consecutive hits to start the bottom fourth began a rally that dealt Villanova a four-run half inning to tie the game on four hits, while leaving three on base. They would add three more in the following inning on a 3RBI double to left field.
UConn attempted to put together a comeback in the top of the seventh and pulled within a run after scoring on a passed ball and a reach on a throwing error. Villanova would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to squander the rally.
Payton Kinney led the UConn defense through 3.0 innings delivering seven strikeouts and was relieved by Meghan O'Neil (10-5) who tossed the final 3.0 innings while picking up eight strikeouts of her own.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sara Kennedy (6-3)
L: O'Neil, Meghan (10-5)
Batting:
2B: Casazza, Devon 1
RBI: Barnett, Sami 1 ; Casazza, Devon 3 ; Piergustavo, Emily 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Guevarra, Reese 1 ; Sanden, Jana 1 ; Marcelino, Briana 1 ; Barnett, Sami 2 ; Wivell, Hollis 1
HBP: Sanden, Jana 2 ; Marcelino, Briana 1 ; Barnett, Sami 1 ; Casazza, Devon 1
Batting:
2B: Angela Giampolo 1 ; Megan Kern 2 ; Dani Dabroski 1
HR: Ryan Henry 1
RBI: Angela Giampolo 3 ; Ryan Henry 3 ; Dani Dabroski 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Paige Rauch 1 ; Erin Gray 1 ; Megan Kern 1 ; Ryan Henry 2 ; Sydney Hayes 1 ; Dani Dabroski 1
SB: Paige Rauch 1
