UConn softball team to take on Maine this weekend

After shutting out Eastern Connecticut in back-to-back games and taking one of two against Quinnipiac last weekend, the UConn softball team looks to wrap up the fall season with wins against Maine.

This Sunday, the Huskies will take on the Black Bears in a double header at home on UConn’s Burrill Family Field. In the past, the Huskies have had a lot of success against the Black Bears, but winning will not be the only focus during the two-game series.

The fall season has essentially served as a testing period for the team, with Coach Karen Mullins and her staff closely watching the players. These games will be no exception. Specifically, the coaches are watching the newest additions to the team–the freshmen, who will likely play a significant role this spring.

“The fall is really a time for us to look at our new players, to put the team together…[and] try different things,” Mullins said. “I mean, you look at the fall–it’s developmental. Everybody’s in there, having an opportunity.”

Last spring, the Huskies traveled to Hempstead, N.Y. and competed against Maine over the course of two days, defeating them 8-2 and 8-0 in the two games played. Then-freshman Lauren Duggan pitched in the first game, going 6.2 innings and giving up eight hits and two earned runs. In the second game, then-junior Kiki Saveriano pitched 5 innings and only gave up three hits. The strong pitching performances were accompanied by strong offense from several players, including then-freshman Emily O’Donnell, who batted 5-7 in the two games. All three of these players have returned to play again this season, so the team feels confident heading into the game.

"Playing with the team has been an absolutely crazy experience," Heather Fyfe said. "It is crazy to think that we have only known each other two months because it feels like we have been playing together for much longer."

The expectations for the final games of the fall season are certainly high, based on the Huskies’ consistent success against the Black Bears. However, all of UConn’s coaches have made it clear that, win or lose, this is about finding out where the team stands before the spring season.