The University of Connecticut softball team split its doubleheader against Providence on April 19 at Burrill Family Field, with the Friars winning the first game in extra innings and the Huskies responding with a run-rule victory in game two. Providence secured a series win by taking game one, 4-3, in eight innings before UConn rebounded to defeat the Friars, 12-4, in six innings.
The outcome leaves UConn with a record of 13-5 in Big East play and an overall mark of 22-24 this season. The split doubleheader featured strong performances from several Huskies players across both games.
In game one, redshirt-junior Sydnee Koosh made her tenth start for UConn and pitched over four innings while allowing only one run. Cat Petteys and Haley Coupal delivered back-to-back RBI doubles to give UConn an early lead. Graduate Jessica Walter and sophomore Amber Bretton also appeared as relief pitchers. Despite leading for much of the contest, UConn was unable to hold off Providence, which tied the score in the seventh inning before clinching victory in extras.
Game two saw Koosh return as starter for her eleventh appearance of the year. Kaitlyn Kibling led off with a triple that set up Savannah Ring’s RBI single for an early advantage. Heidi Barber hit a two-run home run followed by another inside-the-park homer from Kibling to extend the lead further. Relief pitcher Bretton closed out the final innings after Koosh exited during the fifth frame.
UConn’s offense proved decisive late in game two as multiple players contributed multi-hit performances and timely runs batted in—most notably Barber’s career-high four RBIs and Emma Willers’ fourth home run of the season. The Huskies ended game two via run rule after scoring five runs with two outs in their final inning at bat.
Looking ahead, UConn is scheduled to face Hofstra at Burrill Family Field on Wednesday, April 22.
