STORRS, CT (June 15) — The University of Connecticut baseball team has
announced that two high school standouts have signed a National Letter
of Intent with UConn. Matt Karl (Wallingford,
CT) and Mike Tarsi (Danbury, CT), earned wins on the mound in their
respective state championship games on Saturday June 12. Karl led
Sheehan High School over Notre Dame-Fairfield, 5-0, in the CIAC Class
M state championship game and Tarsi helped Danbury High School capture
its first Class LL baseball state title with a 2-1 victory over
defending champion Norwich Free Academy.
Head Coach Jim Penders on Karl and Tarsi: "Matt and Mike are two
cornerstones of our first recruiting class. We want to put the best
pitchers in Connecticut in UConn uniforms and these two pitchers, by
winning two state championships, represent that goal. We are very
pleased that Matt and Mike have chosen to continue their academic,
athletic, and social development at the University of Connecticut."
Karl, a 6’2" LHP/1B gave up only one hit, an infield single, in a
complete game and also drove in three runs in the title game. Karl
finished the tournament with two saves and three victories and
completed the season with a 7-3 record on the mound.
"Matt emerged as one of the top pitchers in the region this spring
and his bat will also be counted on during his career here in Storrs,"
says Penders. "He expects to win. He has an 87-90 mph fastball and a
very good breaking ball. We expect him to compete for a lot of innings
and at bats as a freshman.
Tarsi, a 6’8" lefthander scattered seven hits and struck out four
in Danbury’s 2-1 triumph. He finished the season with an 11-1 record.
"6’8" left-handed pitchers don’t grow on trees and that in and of
itself is exciting," says Penders. "Mike has a high ceiling for
development, has a great intensity, competitiveness and most
importantly, knows how to win. The sky is the limit for Mike. He has a
mid-80’s fastball with good movement and excellent control. He also
has improving secondary pitches that I know will blossom under the
guidance of associate head coach Dave Turgeon."
