On Saturday, the UConn softball team will play in a doubleheader at home at Burrill Family Field. The first game is scheduled at noon against the team right down the road, Eastern Connecticut State University. Following the contest with the Warriors, the Huskies will take on another in-state foe at 5 p.m., the Bridgeport Purple Knights. Although both teams don’t compete at the NCAA Division I level, Bridgeport and Eastern are powerhouses in their respective divisions and will be great competition for the Huskies’ rigorous fall ball schedule.
Returning to the Huskies as a graduate student is star pitcher Payton Kinney. Last spring, Kinney led the Huskies’ bullpen with an impressive 2.33 ERA, striking out 113 batters in 99 innings of work and being named to the All-Big East Second Team. She also reached a career milestone by striking out her 300th batter. Keep an eye out for her to get some innings in the circle this Friday.
One of the most important and exciting Huskies to watch over the doubleheader is the reigning Big East Player of the Year, senior outfielder Lexi Hastings. In her 2024 All-Big East First Team season, Hastings slashed an impressive .392 batting average, tallying 69 hits, 47 runs and a whopping 31 stolen bases. It’s also essential to mention that Hastings totaled 25 multi-hit games. Having a fiery bat like hers in the lineup will be critical for the teams’ success in 2025. Not to mention, Hastings’ 2024 All-Big East First Team counterpart will be returning. Senior infielder Rosie Garcia from San Fernando, California compiled a .302 batting average with a team-high 10 home runs with 37 RBIs. Combined with Hastings’ consistent bat and Garcia’s power bat, the Huskies’ lineup will surely do some damage at the plate this weekend.
The Huskies’ opponents also look to display a plethora of experienced players on Saturday. The Eastern Connecticut Warriors return junior utility player Emma Marelli, who is fresh off earning a spot on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Team for Division III. For Bridgeport, junior infielder Mya Jones returns to the Purple Knights after earning CCA Division II All-East Region Second Team Honors.
Saturday looks to be a crisp and cloudy fall day, and there wouldn’t be a better way to spend it than by heading to Burrill Family Field to watch the UConn Huskies face some familiar in-state competition. A blend of Division I, II and III talents will be put on full display, starting at noon with the Eastern Connecticut Warriors and followed by the Bridgeport Purple Knights at 5 p.m.