On Tuesday, March 24, the Huskies will host New Haven for a doubleheader non-conference showdown at Burrill Family Field in Storrs, Conn. The first game will start at 3:30 p.m. followed by another game at 6 p.m.
The Huskies will look to bounce back in this matchup, following a three-game sweep by No. 9 Arkansas last weekend. The Huskies fell in six innings in the opening game, 12-4. Followed by another six-inning 10-2 loss. The series wrapped up with another dominant win by Arkansas, 9-4.
UConn struggled to contain Arkansas’ offense and to maintain composure in high pressure situations. In the final game of the series, the Huskies showed greater dominance, taking an early lead and later bringing the game to a 4-4 tie in the sixth inning. However, Arkansas quickly responded with a greater force of dominance with a five-run inning, including a grand slam, to take the win.
Despite the results of the series, key contributors showed their strengths throughout the games. Junior outfielder Kaitlyn Breslin was a key contributor at the plate, recording a multi-hit game in the last game of the series and helping drive in runs during key moments.
Freshman Emma Willers also proved to be a powerful force, recording multiple RBIs over the series. In the circle, freshman pitcher Caprice Bohmer had a strong start in the final game, limiting Arkansas to just two earned runs over 3.2 innings. The team showcased its competitive potential but will look to limit opponents’ opportunities going forward.
The New Haven Chargers enter the matchup following a weekend series again Le Moyne, where they finished with one win and two losses. The Chargers were shutout 9-0 in the opening game, bounced back with a 2-1 win in extra innings and then fell again 4-3 in the final game.
In game one, New Haven struggled to recover after allowing five runs in the opening inning. Junior catcher Brianna Trueman and sophomore infielder Elyse Genaway each recorded hits, but the Chargers were unable to capitalize on this.
In the second game, New Haven displayed their resilience, securing a 2-1 win in 10 innings. Sophomore pitcher Peyton Sullivan displayed dominance, pitching a complete game with just one run over the 10 innings. Offensively, Trueman gave the spark the Chargers needed with a solo home run. Senior infielder Lucia Ceccarelli sealed the win, scoring the game-winning run in the extra inning.
Despite a loss in the series’ finale, the team once again showed resiliency. The team fought to erase an early 3-0 deficit with a three-RBI double from Trueman in the fifth inning to tie the game. They were unable to hold onto this momentum, allowing a homerun by Le Moyne in the eighth inning. Sophomore pitcher Katie Rhodes was dominant in relief, limiting Le Moyne and keeping the Chargers in the game.
Tuesday’s matchup will be the first time the two teams compete against each other as New Haven previously competed at the Division II level.
Both teams will look to bounce back from two tough weekend series. Fans can turn into this historic matchup on FloSports.