VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova softball team suffered a second straight loss to the Connecticut Huskies on Saturday afternoon, falling 10-1 at the Villanova Softball Complex.

Peyton Schnackenberg earned the loss for Villanova (18-15, 5-3 BIG EAST), going all five innings and striking out four while surrendering 14 hits and two walks.

The Huskies started the scoring with a hit parade in the second inning, plating six runs on seven hits in the frame. Multiple of those hits glanced off the glove of Schnackenberg and found their way into open territory, allowing UConn runners to make their way on base and get the lead to 6-0.

Lilly St. Jean began the Wildcats' half of that stanza with a swinging bunt down the third base line and Victoria Sebastian followed with a single through the left side. With two outs, Ava Franz grounded a pitch right down the line that hit off of third base and trickled past the infielder, allowing St. Jean to score from second and bring the tally to 6-1.

Tess Cites then drew a two-out walk, and Chloe Smith nearly brought two runs around on an error by the third baseman but it was ruled a foul ball by the home plate umpire and Smith was rung up on the next pitch.

Both sides went down scoreless in the third and fourth, keeping the Connecticut advantage at five. UConn then loaded the bases to open the fifth inning, but Schnackenberg got two outs on a force out at home and a strikeout. 

But Huskies centerfielder Aziah James lifted the first pitch of her at bat over the left field fence for a grand slam, bringing the score to 10-1.

Franz drew a leadoff walk in the Wildcats' final hacks, but could not advance past first base and the eight-run rule went into effect to end the game.

UP NEXT: The series finale between the Wildcats and Huskies is set for Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Villanova Softball Complex.