The University of Connecticut softball team defeated the Creighton Bluejays, 12-11, on April 24 at Burrill Family Field. The victory marked head coach Laura Valentino’s 200th career win and improved the Huskies’ record to 14-5 in Big East play and an even 24-24 overall this season.
The close contest saw several lead changes throughout the afternoon. Graduate pitcher Jessica Walter started for UConn, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. The Bluejays took an early lead in the first inning before UConn responded with four runs in their half of the inning.
Cat Petteys contributed significantly to UConn’s offense, collecting three doubles and driving in four runs—her second game this season with that many RBIs. Savannah Ring also recorded her fifth three-hit game of the year, while Emma Willers added multiple hits and RBIs during her rookie campaign. Other key performances included Kaitlyn Kibling reaching base safely for a sixteenth consecutive game and Haley Coupal delivering a bases-clearing double that put UConn ahead for good in the fifth inning.
Jessica Walter returned late in the game to earn her ninth save of the season, tying a program record for saves in a single year. Defensively, UConn did not commit an error for the twenty-first time this season.
Game two between UConn and Creighton is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at Burrill Family Field.
