UConn edges past BU in extra innings

The last time the softball team faced Boston University, the Huskies walked off the field disappointed, having lost a close game 3-0. This time, however, the Terriers were the ones who walked off the field in defeat, hanging their heads as the Huskies mobbed Jen Ward at home plate following Justyne Roy's dramatic walk off base hit.

In a tightly contested game highlighted by fantastic all around defense and great pitching by both teams, the Huskies came out on top by a score of 2-1 in eight innings. The game got off to a quick start as Danielle Del Ponte put the Huskies on the board early with an RBI base hit. But the Terriers would answer in the top of the 2nd with a run of their own, hitting two quick doubles to push the Terrier catcher Caitlin Rentler across the plate.

From that point on, the game belonged to the pitchers and the defense. Tricia Sullivan was brilliant over eight innings, giving up only six hits, one run and two walks while striking out eight.

Behind her the defense put on an impressive show, with several Huskies coming up with some big plays, including Meghan Tierney's impressive catch in the outfield, and Jessica Arremony's unbelievable diving catch at shortstop.

"An ESPY play" coach Mullins remarked after the game.

The game remained tied as the innings wore on, but in the top of the 7th inning the Terriers threatened with runners at 2nd and 3rd with two outs. The Terriers were unable to take the lead however, thanks to a clutch defensive play at first by Roy that ended the inning. Megan Currier, the Terriers pitcher, responded by shutting down the Huskies offense in the bottom of the inning, forcing the game into extras.

In the top of the 8th, the Huskies shined on defense again, with Del Ponte throwing out a runner at second to end the inning. Del Ponte would then lead off the bottom of the eighth with a single, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

Jen Ward pinch ran for Del Ponte, and advanced to second on a passed ball. Sarah Neushwander then walked, which brought Roy to the plate. Roy had already saved the game with her glove, so it's only fitting that she would be the one to win it with her bat. Roysent a line drive into centerfield, and Ward sprinted around third and slid into home safely, barely making it under Rentlers tag in a close play at the plate.

"She was pitching to me outside all day and I knew she was a slower pitcher, so I just sat back on it and tried to hit it anywhere they weren't." Roy said of the game-winning hit following the game.

Sullivan, the game's winning pitcher, said of her teammates "the defense was amazing today, nothing got by them, everyone was like laying out and obviously that picks me up, I wanted to do well for them since they were trying so hard."

When asked about Roy's two key plays, Sullivan simply exclaimed "Oh my God clutch! She's amazing."

The victory over the Terriers brings the Huskies up to an 18-11 record on the season, and will be back in action this weekend with a double-header against Central Connecticut on Saturday.