Connecticut 7, Birmingham-Southern 12

Birm.-Southern (3-3) 3 0 0 1 5 0 1 2 0 - 12 11 3

Connecticut (1-1)     0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 - 7 10 5

Bob Barton, Keith Potvin (5) and Tyler Stefkovich. Chad Durden, Josh Britnell (4), Rhonny Woods (9). WP-Britnell (1-0). LP-Barton (0-1). 2B– Dempsey (C), Soteropoulos(C), McDonough(C); Robertson (B), Griffith (B), Barber (B). HR- Goodwin (B), Griffith (B).

STARKVILLE, MS (February 22) – The University of Connecticut baseball team could not overcome a nine run deficit as the fell for the first time this season to Birmingham Southern 12-7 at the NBC Classic in Starkville, MS. The loss evens UConn’s record at 1-1 on the season, while Birmingham Southern moves to 3-3.

The Panthers struck early on the Huskies with a two run single, which was followed by a wild pitch to put the Huskies behind 3-0. Birmingham Southern wasn’t finished as they added one in the fourth and exploded for five more runs in the fifth, which was capped by a three run home run by Ryan Griffith.

UConn rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two run double by Peter Soteropoulos that led to four runs and cut the lead to 9-4. The Panthers would add a run in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Huskies tried to rally late once again, but could only manage to score three runs in the bottom of the ninth.

UConn was led by Soteropoulos who finished the game with three hits and three RBIs, while Mike McDonough and Tim Dempsey had two hits each. Starter Bob Barton got his first loss of the season and Josh Britnell picked up the win for the Panthers.

The Huskies return to action later tonight when they face No. 10 Mississippi State at 9 p.m.