University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Connecticut
Softball Drops Close Game To Rival UConn, 3-2
May 09, 2000 | Softball
May 9, 2000
STORRS, Conn. - Sophomore Scooter Wheeler (Kingsburg, Calif.) increased her hitting streak to 12 games today on a 1-for-2 effort at the plate, but it was not enough, as the University of Massachusetts dropped a close game to rival UConn, 3-2. The Minutewomen complete the regular season at 32-21 overall, while the Huskies improve to 37-17.
UMass got on the board first in the third inning, as freshman Anna Perey (Chino Valley, Az.) doubled to left field and advance to third off a single by freshman Emily Robustelli (Stamford, Conn.). Perey then scored on an error by the catcher. UConn would quickly erase the Minutewomen lead, though, scoring three runs in the third for a 3-1 lead. Abbie Link drove in Nicole Dubovik for the first Husky run of the day. Barbara Cook then drove in Mandy Simjian after reaching on an error by sophomore Ashley Bakken (Phoenix, Az.), and Lisa Girolamo singled to second base, which plated Cook for the third run of the day. UMass made a valiant comeback attempt in the seventh, as Wheeler doubled to left center to put the Minutewomen in scoring position. Senior Nikki Faessler (Milford, Mass.) then singled to left field, advancing Wheeler to third. UMass then put on the double steal, as Faessler unsuccesfully stole second base, which allowed Wheeler to score at home. Bakken reached on an error by the third basemen and stole second base, but Perey grounded out to the pitcher to end the game.
Today's contest marked Head Coach Elaine Sortino's 1,000th career game as a softball coach for UMass. Sortino is now 685-312-3 in 21 seasons.
The Minutewomen will next play host to the 2000 Bell Atlantic/Atlantic 10 Championship from May 11-13 at the UMass Softball Complex. UMass enters into the contest as the No. 1 seed and will face the No. 4 seed Temple at noon on Thursday. The No. 2 seed Virginia Tech and the No. 3 seed Dayton will square immediately following the first game. The Minutewomen won last year's championship after downing Virginia Tech 2-0 in the finals.
