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The Dartmouth
July 10, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Softball ends three-game win streak in close game at UConn

The Dartmouth softball team came up short against the University of Connecticut on Wednesday afternoon in Storrs, Conn., as the Huskies halted a three-game Big Green winning streak by a score of 5-3.

Dartmouth (18-15, 9-3 Ivy) still maintains its lead atop the North Division of the Ivy League, while the Huskies (25-12, 7-6 Big East) continue their midseason resurgence, notching their 11th victory in the last 12 games.

Heading into its second non-conference game in less than a week, the Big Green looked to capitalize on its momentum after sweeping a doubleheader with Brown last Sunday, co-captain Christy Autin '10 said.

"We faced some hardship early in the season while up against some of the biggest and best programs in the country, and since we've been home," she said. "I think that as a team we've put out a strong and consistent effort."

In Wednesday's game, the Huskies struck first, as an RBI single off starting pitcher Hillary Barker '12 drew the opening run in the bottom of the second inning.

The Big Green quickly countered in the top of the third to erase the early deficit. After a two-out double by Nikki Yee '10, co-captain Ashley Gleason '09 followed up with a two-run shot, her fourth home run of the season.

Undeterred by the tempo shift, the Huskies mounted their own third-inning rally, scoring three runs off of four hits, including a double by freshman Amy LeDuca that set up runners in scoring position for the middle of the Huskies lineup.

The bats were quiet for both teams in the fourth inning, before Kristen Costello '10 broke the silence with a lead-off single in the top of the fifth.

Yee extended the inning with a single to center field, and an ensuing sacrifice fly put runners on second and third with two outs. The Big Green, however, failed to take advantage of the scoring opportunity, as Molly Khalil '12 grounded out to end the Dartmouth threat.

"We were hitting UConn's pitcher pretty well, but it really came down to getting key hits with runners in scoring position," Autin said. "It's something we've been able to do in the past, and we just need to get back to a place where we're scoring those runners off of second and third."

After the side change, Connecticut struggled to get on base, going down the lineup after a leadoff walk.

Taking advantage of a slumping Connecticut offense, the Big Green finally came through in the top of the sixth, as a single and a walk put runners on first and second.

With one out, Autin reached base on a costly infield error by the Huskies' defense, drawing the first unearned run of the game. The Huskies, however, regained their composure, as freshman Jessie Stavola struck out consecutive batters to limit the damage.

Up by only one run, the Connecticut batters revived their urgency, padding the lead with an additional run that gave Stavola some breathing room. The Huskies freshman would close out the side in the seventh, getting Alyssa Parker '10 to foul out to end the game.

Although the offense provided the game's highlights, the pitchers' duel between rookies Barker and Stavola more accurately reflected the game's outcome. Barker gave up five runs, scattering 11 hits and striking out one in a six-inning effort, while Stavola held the Big Green to three runs, with one unearned, while striking out six in the process.

On the offensive side, Yee connected two times in four at-bats, with two hits and a run. Gleason, who earned Ivy League honors last week, continued her impressive run with two RBIs, giving her 20 for the season.

For the Huskies, sophomore Julianne Towers was 4-for-4 in an impressive start with four hits, one RBI and one run.

The loss dropped Dartmouth to 5-8 in away games. Autin said, however, that home field advantage is not always the deciding factor that favors the home team over the visitors.

"It's always nice to have home-field advantage, to be able to look over to the stands and know that you've got the support of your fans, but I don't think we've ever let being on the road affect our play," she said. "Honestly, I think that this team enjoys the challenge of playing on someone else's turf."

The Big Green will resume league play with two rounds of doubleheaders against Yale on Saturday and Sunday. The games are set to begin at 1 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.