Uconn tops Butler to advance in Big East softball tournament

The Uconn softball team staved off elimination in the Big East Conference softball tournament with a 4-1 win over Butler in an elimination game on Thursday in Chicago. The top-seeded Huskies lost their opening game to No. 4 Depaul 6-2 and needed to rally for the win over the No. 2 Bulldogs.

Pitcher Elise Sokolsky (20-6) bounced back from a shaky start in the opener to throw 5 ⅓ innings of shutout relief against Butler. Reese

Guevarra had two hits, a run and an RBI for the Huskies. Uconn now faces the loser of Friday’s first game between Depaul and No. 3 Villanova in an elimination game at 3 p.m.

In the opener, the Huskies could never get anything going against Blue Demons starter Sarah Lehman, who went seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits in improving to 15-5. Sokolsky took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in 3 ⅔ innings. Sami Barnett had a solo home run and Guevarra run-scoring double for the Huskies.

Collins, Yard Goats get past Binghamton in 11 innings

Isaac Collins scored from second on an error by Binghamton Rumble Ponies catcher

Elih Marrero to lift the Hartford Yard Goats to a 3-2 win in 11 innings in an Eastern League Northern Division game at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. With Collins on second to start the inning, Jimmy Herron sacrificed, forcing the error that allowed Collins to score. Hartford (17-12) has now taken two of the first three games in the series.