ORLANDO, Fla. – The UConn softball team dropped their first two games of the season at the Black and Gold Classic, falling to Howard 8-7 in game one and UCF, 9-1 in game two.
Meghan O'Neil started in game one for the Huskies. She went four innings giving up five runs on seven hits adding three strikeouts. Delaney Nagy came in relief for O'Neil in the fifth inning. She went two innings giving up three runs on four hits. Sydnee Koosh would make her UConn debut in the circle pitching one scoreless inning.
Howard jumped out in front in the top half of the first inning, scoring three runs.
UConn got on the board in the bottom half of the first inning. Lexi Hastings scored the Huskies first run of the season on a wild pitch, making it 3-1. Hastings also scored UConn's second run of the game in the third inning, pulling the Huskies to within a run.
Howard extended their lead with a pair of runs in the fourth inning and a run in the fifth, making it 6-2 Bison.
UConn scored two runs in the fifth as Rosie Garcia knocked in her first RBI of the season with a bloop single to center, scoring Hastings. Garcia brought home the Huskies fourth run on a delayed steal, allowing pinch runner Rayah Snyder to score from third base.
Howard once again responded with two runs of their own in the sixth inning making it, 8-4 Bison.
The Huskies kept on fighting, scoring three runs in the sixth inning. Grace Jenkins knocked in a pair of runs with a double to left field, scoring Taylor Zatyk, and Hastings. Haley Coupal singled to right field bringing home pinch runner Caylee De Meo.
Hallie Siems earned her first start as a Husky in game two against UCF. She went four innings for the Huskies only giving up two hits. Hope Jenkins made her season debut coming in relief for Siems in the fifth inning. She went 0.2 innings giving up four earned runs.
UConn took an early lead off the bat of Jana Sanden. The senior drove in her first run of the season on a bloop single to right field, scoring Hastings and giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
Siems did a great job of keeping the Knights potent lineup off balance only allowing two base runners on base through her first three innings.
UCF took control of the game in the fourth inning scoring four runs on one hit. The Knights continued to apply pressure on offense, adding a run in the fifth and five in the sixth, ending the game in a run rule win.
Up Next:
UConn returns to action tomorrow with another doubleheader at the Black and Gold Classic. The first game of the day begins at 12:30pm as the Huskies face the Georgia State Panthers. The Huskies will face the Seattle Redhawks following the conclusion of game one at 3:00pm.
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