The University of Connecticut softball team came away with a 3-1 record at the JU/UNF Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla. this past weekend.
The Huskies (4-4) rebounded from a disappointing 1-3 start to their season the weekend prior at the Elon Softball Classic. They opened the first day of competition with a two-game sweep before splitting their Saturday slate. Their Sunday matchup with Cleveland State (1-8) was cancelled. Electric offensive performances from fourth-year Lexi Hastings, and third-year Grace Jenkins, propelled UConn to their impressive weekend.
UConn kicked off the tournament by taking down Middle Tennessee State University (3-6).
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, Jenkins belted a double scoring Hastings from first base to tie the game. Fourth-year Rose Garcia batted in Jenkins, marking her sixth RBI of the season. Garcia would cross the plate following a double from third-year Hope Jenkins to give the Huskies a 3-1 lead. The Blue Raiders battled back and would retake the lead in the fifth inning at 4-3. UConn took the lead right back in the bottom of the inning, after Hastings and Grace both scored runs on hits from third-year Kaiea Higa and first-year Cat Petteys to make it 5-4. Middle Tennessee tied it at 5-5 in the top of the seventh, but once again UConn had an answer as Petteys earned her first career walk off to win it 6-5.
In their second Friday game, the Huskies took down the invitational co-hosts, the University of North Florida (9-3).
The game remained scoreless through the sixth inning, until Petteys hit a two-run shot to break the stalemate, the first homerun of her career. The Ospreys responded right back with a three-run inning to take their first lead of the game. In the top of the seventh, Grace put her power on full display, hitting a towering three-run homerun to take the 5-3 lead. The Ospreys continued to fight in the bottom of the inning, but to no avail as the Huskies would win 5-4. Hastings finished with another multi-hit game, bringing her total on the weekend to five and extending her base streak to 26 games.
UConn squared off with Middle Tennessee for the second time in the tournament in their first game on Saturday.
The Huskies jumped out to an early lead after Hope scored Higa on a single to right field. The score remained unchanged till the fifth inning when a two-run single gave the Blue Raiders the lead. But just like in their game on Friday, UConn had an answer. In the top of the sixth, Hope earned another RBI scoring Garcia from second after a leadoff double tie the game at two apiece. Hope would come in to pitch in the bottom of the inning to close out the game for the Huskies. The game remained tied and went into extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Grace would once again emerge as the hero for UConn, breaking the tie with yet another homerun. The bomb would score two runs to give the Huskies a 4-2 lead. Middle Tennessee brought the game within one in the bottom of the inning and even managed to put the tying run on second, but Hope slammed the door on the Blue Raiders to claim the Huskies third straight win.
UConn was handed their first loss of the tournament in game two on Saturday, after being throttled by the other co-hosts of the event, Jacksonville University (6-4).
Third-year Sydnee Koosh started the game for the Huskies, her third of the season. After two strong innings, Jacksonville broke the game open hanging six runs on UConn in the bottom of the third inning. Hope came in relief to notch the final two outs of the inning. Jacksonville tacked on another run to their lead in the fourth to seven. The Huskies did not let up, and in the sixth inning Garcia drove in Grace on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Hope threw two scoreless innings to end the game, but it was not enough as the Huskies fell 7-1.
Despite the tough loss to end the weekend, the Huskies left the sunshine state with much to hang their hats on. After having her on base streak snapped in Saturday’s first contest, Hastings put together yet another multi-hit game against the Dolphins, bringing her team-leading season hit count to 13. The reigning Big East Player of the Year has picked up right where she left off last season. Meanwhile, Grace showcased her power in the most critical moments of the game, as her slugging percentage has now crept over one at 1.040. She tallied three extra base hits on the weekend. The Huskies will use their newfound momentum as they prepare to travel to Charlottesville, Va. for the Rawlings Classic.
They will open their five-game weekend against the University of Delaware, at 12 p.m. on Friday.