UConn only scored in two innings of its game against Boston College softball on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately for the Eagles, that’s all it took.
The Huskies (17–22, 9–3 Big East) knocked off BC 6–5 at Harrington Athletics Village, handing the Eagles (11–27, 2–10 Atlantic Coast) their fourth straight loss as they head into their weekend series against Syracuse.
A five-run third inning propelled UConn to the lead it held for the majority of the game. While the Eagles managed a small comeback and scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, the game-tying run evaded them—and so did their chances at a win.
BC got the scoring started, putting up three runs in the bottom of the second frame. Katelyn Deguire led off with a single through the right side, and a walk from Nicole Riddell advanced Deguire into scoring position. Kae DePerio followed that up with a single to load the bases.
A throwing error by pitcher Sydnee Koosh during Sammy Horn’s at-bat turned out to be detrimental for the Huskies, as Deguire and Riddell both ran home, and DePerio made it all the way to third base.
Emma Knight scored Riddell with a sacrifice fly to make it 3–0 BC and end the frame. BC’s somewhat lucky, but successful, offensive explosion in the bottom of the second gave the Eagles a three-run lead they could build on. But they did the opposite.
The third inning started positively for BC, especially for starting pitcher Kelly Colleran. She struck out two of the first three batters she faced, walking one but quickly putting two outs on the board.
But Savannah Ring—the fourth batter in line for the Huskies—wouldn’t go down without a fight. She hit a two-RBI homer, and things only went downhill from there for BC.
A throwing error from DePerio allowed Cat Petteys to reach first base, and Haley Coupal walked immediately after. Kaitlyn Breslin approached the plate with two outs on the board and two runners on base, and it’s safe to say she delivered. Her three-run homer was the exclamation point on a five-run third inning for UConn that ultimately sealed the game.
The Huskies scored one more run in the fourth inning, as a throwing error from Horn allowed lead-off batter Emma Willers to make it to third base. Caylee De Meo’s sacrifice fly to center field scored Willers to make it 6–3, and UConn’s pitching staff did not give up any more runs until the seventh inning. Koosh pitched all but one inning, allowing 10 hits and forcing five strikeouts during her time on the mound.
An RBI double from Abby Ptak and an RBI sac fly from Tavye Borders put the Eagles down just one run in the bottom of the seventh, giving BC a glimmer of hope at avoiding its fourth consecutive defeat. But a Deguire flyout ended the game there, and BC suffered its eighth loss in nine games.
