Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

SOFTBALL | Surging GU Splits at UConn

It has been quite the midseason turnaround for the Georgetown softball team (15-25, 5-5 Big East).

960724689
ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA

A little less than a month ago, the Hoyas’ record stood at 5-20, but now — not even at the halfway point in Big East play — the team has already won more conference games than it did all of last season.

“We are a different team than we were a year ago,” Head Coach Pat Conlan said. “And for that matter, a month ago.”

On Wednesday, Georgetown travelled to Storrs, Conn., for a doubleheader against UConn (16-16, 3-5 Big East). The Hoyas won the first game 7-3 behind a prolific offensive effort in the fifth inning but dropped the nightcap 4-3 when a thrilling seventh-inning rally fell just short.

Sophomore pitcher Lauren O’Leary got the start for Georgetown in the opener, and the righty produced yet another quality start to pick up her 10th win in what has been an impressive year. The sophomore allowed three runs and struck out four in her 13th complete game of the season.

On the offensive side of the ball, all seven of the runs came in an explosive fifth inning for the Blue and Gray.

The first four came on two separate doubles by junior second baseman Hannah Slovacek and freshman shortstop Samantha Giovanniello, respectively. Sophomore left fielder Sophia Gargicevich-Almeida was up next for the Hoyas and knocked yet another double in right center that scored Giovanniello, while an error by senior UConn second baseman Brittany Duclos would result in two more runs later in the inning for the Hoyas.

“We were going through the offense for a second time [in the fifth],” Conlan said. “Hitting is contagious, and we had a great inning of execution.”

O’Leary would allow the Huskies no closer than to within 7-3 from that point on, as the Hoyas held on for the win.

In the finale, UConn jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first courtesy of a three-run home run off sophomore Georgetown pitcher Megan Hyson.

Hyson would settle down after that, however, pitching four more innings and allowing only one subsequent unearned run.

When Georgetown came to bat for the final time, down four in the bottom of the seventh, the prospects for a comeback seemed bleak, as the team had managed only one hit up to that point in the game.

The suspense was quickly ratcheted up a notch, though, when the Hoyas loaded the bases with no outs and brought Giovanniello to the plate.

The New York native did not waste the opportunity, doubling to center field and driving in junior third baseman Rachel Nersesian and sophomore infielder Cristina Fletcher, who had pinch-run for Slovacek.

After a pop-out by Gargicevich-Almeida, senior catcher Shikara Lowe was hit by a pitch, loading the bases once again with the go-ahead run on first. Junior right fielder Alexandria Anttila was next up and grounded out to third, but in the process, she managed to advance every runner and score Graziano to bring the Hoyas within one run of tying the game.

But in the end, it was not to be for Georgetown; junior first baseman Madeline Giaquinto struck out to end the game, giving UConn the 4-3 victory.

“I was so proud of the girls for the fight they showed,” Conlan said. “They always play hard until the final out.”

A three-game series is up next for Georgetown against rival Syracuse this weekend. The Hoyas currently sit in sixth place in the Big East, seemingly in strong position to finish the year in the top eight of the league and earn an appearance in the Big East tournament.

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Hoya

Your donation will support the student journalists of Georgetown University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The Hoya

Comments (0)

All The Hoya Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *