VILLANOVA, Pa. – It's time for BIG EAST play in the collegiate softball world, and it'll be a heavyweight bout all weekend at the Villanova Softball Complex as the Wildcats (7-11) welcome the Connecticut Huskies for a three-game series from Mar. 7-9.

CONTESTS AGAINST CONNECTICUT    
One of the most common opponents in the history of Villanova softball and a strong rival in recent years, the Huskies come to the Main Line to kick off BIG EAST play this year. UConn owns a large edge in the all-time series between the schools but since Orchard's arrival back on campus, it's been a far more competitive series. The Wildcats maintain an 11-7 advantage over the Huskies under the '97 alum, including a victory in three of four 2024 matchups with one coming in the BIG EAST semifinal.

FANTASTIC FRANZ    
One of only two Wildcats to start in every game so far this season, VU's top hitter in 2025 has been two-time all-conference selection Ava Franz. The Aston, Pa., native has produced a team-high 18 hits, 10 runs and nine walks with three doubles, two triples and three homers while playing a flawless shortstop. The senior started out the season on a team-best nine-game on-base streak and after breaking that against Clemson, her current streak is back up to eight games after settling into the leadoff slot.

SEARCHING FOR STEADINESS    
Contributions have been scattered throughout the Villanova lineup early on this year, with production coming out of a number of different spots. The most recent impressive performance came from Brooklyn Ostrowski, who totaled a team-best eight hits at the Hokie Invite with one three-knock day as well as the first home run of her fifth year. Junior infielder Maddie Burrows has reached an eight-game on-base streak, walking eight times with just 17 at bats, notching four hits with a double and homer on her ledger. Maranda Runco was the BIG EAST's opening Player of the Week and maintains a .317 average with 13 hits and a team-best 12 RBI despite cooling off last weekend. Bright spots have come from Madison Ostrowski (five hits, four runs), Grace Reed (five hits, one homer) and Elizabeth Gray (five hits, seven walks), but the 'Cats are looking for more consistent production one through nine.

HONING IN ON THE HUSKIES

• Connecticut went 31-24 in their 2024 slate, picking up 16 wins to finish second in the BIG EAST. UConn's season came to an end at the BIG EAST Tournament, falling to Villanova and Creighton twice on Friday to fall short of a championship berth.
• The Huskies enter the weekend at 11-7 overall after the non-conference tournament slate. UConn lost three of four at the Elon Softball Classic, won three at the JU/UNF Invitational, took four of five at Mercer and emerged with three wins at Coastal's Chanticleer Showdown.
• First-year shortstop Cat Petteys leads the Connecticut lineup with a .396 average while senior infielder Rosie Garcia has a team-high 23 hits, Lexi Hastings has scored 20 runs and Grace Jenkins adds a team-best five homers and 11 walks.
• Graduate pitcher Payton Kinney maintains an 0.51 ERA through nine appearances in the circle, Hope Jenkins owns a 4-1 record with a staff-high 40.2 innings and 36 strikeouts on the nation's fifth highest number of appearances while Sydnee Koosh has started six games with 34 total frames thrown.

All three games will feature streaming on FloCollege, with statistics courtesy of StatBroadcast. The conference opener on Friday begins with a first pitch at 3:00 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday will each start at 1:00 p.m. from the Villanova Softball Complex.