Spring Break
Ortega's hitting, defense key in 15-1 UConn win
Nicole Minutolo
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Sports
Despite UConn defeating Maine by 14 runs Saturday, one player's contributions stood out. Senior third baseman Jillian Ortega was a focal point of the offense, who led the rout of the Black Bears.
After she went 0-for-4 in the first game of the doubleheader, a win over Southern Connecticut, Ortega said she got on track for the second game. It showed: she went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, five RBIs and three runs against Maine.
"The ball looked like a watermelon up there," Ortega said.
In addition to her offensive contributions, she also played solid defense, making some key plays to hold down the Maine offense.
"It was just a lot of fun out there today," Ortega said. "It was a good experience for the team as a whole. We really got a lot of good live practice, both offensively and defensively."
Ortega sparked the offense in the third inning, blasting a home run over the left field fence to give the Huskies a 6-0 lead. She also helped bolster the team in the seven-run sixth inning, by hitting a two-RBI double on a 3-2 pitch.
Ortega wasn't the only offensive threat in UConn's 15-run outburst, however. A pair of fellow seniors - outfielder Sarah Neuschwander and catcher Erin Burtner - also provided more than their share. Neuschwander was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Burtner went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.
"Games like this are just tremendous experience for everyone," Ortega said. "It helps everyone get the feel of the game, and because it's an exhibition it helps the younger girls get more experience before the season comes."
The veteran presence of Ortega, and the other seniors, carried UConn to an undefeated fall record in the face of various injuries.
"I am very proud of how our team has handled the injuries," said head coach Karen Mullins. "Younger girls have been stepping up and doing well in games."
Ortega also believes that the fall exhibition games have gone well for the team.
"The fall season has been great," Ortega said. "Overall it has just been a good experience. The pitching has also gotten a lot of great practice this fall, and the offense has been extremely good. All of this will just make us a more cohesive unit for the upcoming season."
After she went 0-for-4 in the first game of the doubleheader, a win over Southern Connecticut, Ortega said she got on track for the second game. It showed: she went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, five RBIs and three runs against Maine.
"The ball looked like a watermelon up there," Ortega said.
In addition to her offensive contributions, she also played solid defense, making some key plays to hold down the Maine offense.
"It was just a lot of fun out there today," Ortega said. "It was a good experience for the team as a whole. We really got a lot of good live practice, both offensively and defensively."
Ortega sparked the offense in the third inning, blasting a home run over the left field fence to give the Huskies a 6-0 lead. She also helped bolster the team in the seven-run sixth inning, by hitting a two-RBI double on a 3-2 pitch.
Ortega wasn't the only offensive threat in UConn's 15-run outburst, however. A pair of fellow seniors - outfielder Sarah Neuschwander and catcher Erin Burtner - also provided more than their share. Neuschwander was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Burtner went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.
"Games like this are just tremendous experience for everyone," Ortega said. "It helps everyone get the feel of the game, and because it's an exhibition it helps the younger girls get more experience before the season comes."
The veteran presence of Ortega, and the other seniors, carried UConn to an undefeated fall record in the face of various injuries.
"I am very proud of how our team has handled the injuries," said head coach Karen Mullins. "Younger girls have been stepping up and doing well in games."
Ortega also believes that the fall exhibition games have gone well for the team.
"The fall season has been great," Ortega said. "Overall it has just been a good experience. The pitching has also gotten a lot of great practice this fall, and the offense has been extremely good. All of this will just make us a more cohesive unit for the upcoming season."
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