Carly Todd also tied the game for Rutgers in the seventh with a solo home run.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers freshman Carly Todd stole the show against Connecticut on Sunday at the RU Softball Complex, tying the game with a solo home run in the seventh inning before blasting a walk-off grand slam in the eighth to win it 7-3. The win completed the series sweep for RU (25-16, 8-7 American), which has won four consecutive contests and six of its past seven games.
Facing a 3-1 deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning, RU got to work fast to tie the game, registering back-to-back home runs to make it 3-3 with no outs. Sophomore Melanie Slowinski got things started, leading off the inning with a deep left center field blast to make it 3-2. Todd followed her up a batter later, completing RU’s second consecutive late rally with a solo shot over the center field wall.
UConn (13-34, 3-15 American) eventually escaped the frame but went down quietly in the top of the eighth inning, giving the Scarlet Knights a walk-off opportunity again in the bottom half of the eighth.
Once again, RU got going fast. Senior Alexis Durando reached base on an inning-opening walk, sophomore Stephanie Huang laid down a bunt single and Slowinski grounded one back up the middle to load the bases up with no outs.
After the single, UConn’s Lauren Duggan entered the bases loaded spot in place of Alyson Ambler (1-3), who took the loss in the contest. Todd then sent everyone home, connecting on her second home run of the game -- and second of her career -- in grand slam fashion to end the game at 7-3.
Freshman right-hander Shayla Sweeney picked up her ninth win of the season and moved to 9-8 on the year. She went two innings in relief of junior left-hander Alyssa Landrith, allowing just one hit and striking out another in that span.
Landrith turned in a solid outing, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing seven hits and three runs. She struck out nine batters in the no-decision.
