The UConn softball team (21-22, 12-3) shut out the Bryant Bulldogs (15-19, 12-3) 6-0 in a mercy rule victory.
Paving the way for the Huskies, Kaitlyn Breslin splashed a grand slam to give Bryant an early 4-0 deficit. In three at-bats, the outfielder accumulated two hits, a run and four RBI’s.
Behind the junior, Kaitlyn Kibling registered a hit, a run, an RBI and two walks in two at-bats. Not to mention, Savannah Ring posted a hit, a run and an RBI in three at-bats. It is worth noting that Ring did leave three runners on base.
On the mound for Connecticut, Caprice Bohmer (10-6) looked stellar. In five innings, the freshman faced 17 batters and recorded a hit, two walks and five K’s.
Compared to the Bulldogs, not much went their way. When it comes to getting on base, Jadyn Jenks and Laniya Lewis were the only two players to connect on a hit.
As for the pitcher, Brooke Tracy (2-8), the Connecticut native struggled all game. In 5.1 innings, she faced 28 Huskies and gave up six hits, six runs, six earned runs and three walks. The senior only retired three players.
Right out of the gate, UConn caught fire. Defensively, Bohmer did not concede a hit until the top of the third inning. Offensively, the momentum carried over, allowing the Huskies to take a quick lead.
At the bottom of the opening inning, Tracy walked Kibling. Ring followed this with a double down the in-field line, putting them both into scoring position.
After a flyout to second base by Cat Petteys, Tracy could not paint the strike zone and walked Haley Coupal. With just one out, this loaded the bases and Breslin did not disappoint. On a 1-0 count, the infielder launched the ball over the left-field wall for a grand slam, giving UConn a 4-0 advantage.
Despite the dominating start, the Huskies could not add additional points, as the next two batters hit a flyout and a lineout to first base.
After a troubling beginning for Tracy, the challenges continued. At the bottom of the second inning, the senior walked Caylee De Meo on a 4-1 count. This led to Heidi Barber reaching first base after Carley Gen committed an error for the Bulldogs. The mistake allowed De Meo to advance to third base.
On a flyout by Kibling, Bella Cefola, who pinch ran for Barber, tagged up and moved to second base. At bat, Ring could not capitalize with only one out on the board. The second baseman grounded into a third-to-first base double play, ending the second inning.
At the top of the third inning, Jenks gave Bryant life, as she not only notched a single, but also the squad’s first hit of the night. However, this did not last long as the freshman got caught trying to steal second base.
To finish the top of the third inning, UConn secured back-to-back groundouts. In response, Tracy retired Petteys and threw a pair of groundouts, keeping the score 4-0.
Similar to Tracy in the first inning, Bohmer tossed four consecutive balls, putting Gabriella Gesualdo on first base. To redeem herself, the catcher, Barber, hauled in a pop-up, retired Alana Garcia and threw a flyout to right field.
In what seemed like Tracy had everything under control for the Bulldogs, things took a turn for the worse. After a lineout and groundout, De Meo connected on a double to left-center field. Up next, Tracy missed the strike zone on her fifth pitch and walked Barber.
Needing just one more out to get out of the inning, Kibling blasted the ball into right field for a double. This sent Barber home and De Meo to third base, giving Connecticut a 5-0 margin.
Heading into the fifth inning, the offensive flow carried over defensively. In 12 pitches, Bohmer let up a lineout and retired the last two players to return UConn to the batter’s box.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Petteys ripped a single to shortstop, but eventually got out on a fielder’s choice. With Coupal on first base, Breslin slashed a single to left field.
The two occupied second and first base for just a moment as Tracy threw a wild pitch. This advanced Coupal to third and Breslin to second base. Regardless of having two runners in scoring position, Ava Calciano and Emma Willers both struck out for the Huskies.
Going into the sixth inning, UConn turned to its bullpen and Alexandra Bacher did not disappoint. The relief pitcher gave up a single to Lewis, resulting in a double play after Arriana Williams lined out. To end the top of the sixth inning, Gesualdo grounded out to third base.
As for Connecticut, the squad put the final nail in the coffin to win the match. Following a short-stop flyout, Tracy delivered back-to-back walks. This turned ugly fast as she hurled a wild pitch, sending Barber to third and Kibling to second base.
This forced Head Coach Bianka Bell to go to the bullpen. On Lexi Powell’s first pitch, Ring smashed a sacrifice flyout into the outfield, allowing Barber to come home. This gave UConn a comfortable 6-0 lead.
To conclude the outing, the Huskies’ relief pitcher Amber Bretton retired Bryce Clendenin, led by a fly and groundout.
Next up, Connecticut will host the Providence Friars in a three-game series Big East battle over the weekend.