Softball had a tough time in Tampa in their last road series prior to their home opener (File Photo/The Daily Campus)
UConn was outclassed against South Florida for most facets of the game this past weekend. They were swept by the Bulls – outscored by a whopping 25-2 runs over the course of the series.
USF scored in every inning except for one in their 8-0 win on Friday, knocking freshman starter Marybeth Olson out in the third with four hits and five runs through 2.1. The more experienced Chelsea Eckert did marginally better in relief, only allowing one earned run through 3.1 innings.
The Bulls’ ace, Georgina Corrick, mowed down Huskies left and right in a dominant performance, pitching a complete game no-hitter while striking out six.
Freshman outfielder Hollis Wivell was the only member of the Huskies who could get anything going against Corrick, recording her eighth hit of the season with a line drive into left field.
Game two brought more of the same for UConn, although this time USF looked a little more mortal in a 8-2 win. UConn’s starter was pulled early for a second game in a row, as junior Jill Stockley gave up four runs in the first two innings, but the Huskies started to pull back into it in the next three.
Pinch-hitting for Wivell, sophomore Chloe Kerns recorded a RBI single against USF starter Cheyenne Eggens in the third and infielder Kiwi McDaniel knocked in a run in the fifth to bring the Huskies within two. The rally could have been extended too, but McDaniel took too big of a turnaround first, getting tagged out to end the inning.
USF quickly shut the door on UConn’s comeback attempt with a grand slam from freshman third baseman Brooke Hartman in the bottom of the sixth.
The Huskies faced Corrick again on Sunday and again were shut down one by one. This time UConn recorded three hits against USF’s ace and made solid contact otherwise, but fell 9-0 to complete the sweep.
UConn’s three hits of the day came from three different freshmen: shortstop Briana Marcelino, catcher Maura Glatczak and outfielder Reese Guevara.
UConn starter Chelsea Eckert held off the Bulls in the first inning, but the Bulls jumped on her in the second, scoring three runs off a single and an error. USF’s offense then stayed quiet until the bottom of the sixth, where a grand slam and a pair of walks stretched their lead to nine.
UConn is back in action this Tuesday as they take on Hofstra in Hempstead before finally returning to Storrs for their first home series of the year, a three-game shot against AAC newcomer Wichita State. The games will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, 4:00 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday, all at the Burrill Family Field.
Luke Swanson is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at luke.swanson@uconn.edu.
