Spring Break
Pitching duo combine to shut down Maine
Joey Pinola
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Sports
The UConn women's softball team continued their undefeated fall season Saturday with a 15-1 thrashing of Maine. The game was the second half of a doubleheader which began with a win over Southern Connecticut earlier in the afternoon.
The Huskies showed no signs of fatigue against the Black Bears, as they combined solid hitting with excellent pitching to win their fifth straight game of the fall season.
Head coach Karen Mullins was pleased by the team's well-rounded victory and the way the team's fall season is shaping up. She said after the game that the team is continuing to "put the pieces together." She also noted that the fall schedule has allowed for everyone to gain more experience, including the five freshmen on the roster.
One of those freshmen, Jessie Stavola, pitched the final three innings against Maine, striking out six and giving up zero runs in the process.
Stavola combined with senior starting pitcher Rachael Crossin to toss seven innings without giving up an earned run. The pair also struck out a total of eight batters, while only issuing two walks.
"We have been hitting all fall, but the pitchers really stepped up [today]," Mullins said.
The two pitchers were also aided by some good defense, including two double plays.
In the second inning, left fielder Sarah Neuschwander caught a foul pop-up, and quickly tossed the ball to first base to double off a Maine runner.
Later, in the sixth inning, the Huskies turned a more unusual double play; they caught a runner between first and second base in a rundown, then fired home to get the Maine runner breaking from third base.
Nevertheless, the offense was a focal point of this game, as in most 15-run affairs. Jillian Ortega, one of seven returning seniors, kicked off the contest with a leadoff double to center, and soon after scored on another double, this time off the bat of sophomore Melissa Lucas.
From this point on, the Huskies did not look back. In the third, Neuschwander delivered a two-out single to drive in a runner from first. Soon after, Ortega, who went on to drive in a total of five runs, added a home run in the fourth inning. She continued her hot hitting in the sixth, with her second double of the game, following up RBIs in that inning from Neuschwander and Erin Burtner.
After multiple rainouts last weekend, the Huskies have had their fall season shortened to only seven games. However, they were glad to get back onto the field, and certainly played like it in this game.
With the season coming to a close after a 5-0 start, the Huskies will look to carry their success over the spring, and pick up right where they left off.
"The fall has been good for everyone to gain more experience, especially the younger players," Mullins said.
The Huskies will train over the winter in preparations for the regular season, which begins Feb. 20 at the Mardi Gras Classic in Lafayette, La.
The Huskies showed no signs of fatigue against the Black Bears, as they combined solid hitting with excellent pitching to win their fifth straight game of the fall season.
Head coach Karen Mullins was pleased by the team's well-rounded victory and the way the team's fall season is shaping up. She said after the game that the team is continuing to "put the pieces together." She also noted that the fall schedule has allowed for everyone to gain more experience, including the five freshmen on the roster.
One of those freshmen, Jessie Stavola, pitched the final three innings against Maine, striking out six and giving up zero runs in the process.
Stavola combined with senior starting pitcher Rachael Crossin to toss seven innings without giving up an earned run. The pair also struck out a total of eight batters, while only issuing two walks.
"We have been hitting all fall, but the pitchers really stepped up [today]," Mullins said.
The two pitchers were also aided by some good defense, including two double plays.
In the second inning, left fielder Sarah Neuschwander caught a foul pop-up, and quickly tossed the ball to first base to double off a Maine runner.
Later, in the sixth inning, the Huskies turned a more unusual double play; they caught a runner between first and second base in a rundown, then fired home to get the Maine runner breaking from third base.
Nevertheless, the offense was a focal point of this game, as in most 15-run affairs. Jillian Ortega, one of seven returning seniors, kicked off the contest with a leadoff double to center, and soon after scored on another double, this time off the bat of sophomore Melissa Lucas.
From this point on, the Huskies did not look back. In the third, Neuschwander delivered a two-out single to drive in a runner from first. Soon after, Ortega, who went on to drive in a total of five runs, added a home run in the fourth inning. She continued her hot hitting in the sixth, with her second double of the game, following up RBIs in that inning from Neuschwander and Erin Burtner.
After multiple rainouts last weekend, the Huskies have had their fall season shortened to only seven games. However, they were glad to get back onto the field, and certainly played like it in this game.
With the season coming to a close after a 5-0 start, the Huskies will look to carry their success over the spring, and pick up right where they left off.
"The fall has been good for everyone to gain more experience, especially the younger players," Mullins said.
The Huskies will train over the winter in preparations for the regular season, which begins Feb. 20 at the Mardi Gras Classic in Lafayette, La.
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