UConn Bats Thump Fairfield, 11-6

Boxscore [.pdf]

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (March 31, 2005) - Sophomore Larry Day (Amesbury, Mass.) and senior Tony Mallozzi (Westboro, Mass.) each registered four-hit games as the University of Connecticut baseball team won an offensive battle by a score of 11-6 over in-state opponent Fairfield on Thursday afternoon at Alumni Diamond in Fairfield, Conn. The win improves UConn to 15-6 this season as the Stags drop to 2-14.

The Huskies scored four runs in the opening three innings to jump to a 4-0 lead. Fairfield then responded with three runs in the bottom of the third inning to cut the UConn lead to one at 4-3.

UConn then doubled its lead in the top of the fourth inning, scoring four runs to go ahead 8-3. Sophomore Matt Untiet (Berlin, Conn.) led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third when Day notched one of his two doubles in the game. Sophomore Josh Farkes (Boston, Mass.) then singled to third base, scoring Untiet and moving Day over. After stealing second, Farkes advanced to third and Day scored on a groundout by junior Austin Wasserman (Nashua, N.H.).

Mallozzi then slammed his fifth double of the season to bring home Farkes. Mallozzi stole third and scored UConn's fourth run of the inning on a sac fly by fellow senior Jeff Hourigan (Beacon Falls, Conn.).

The Stags where able to chip away at the lead, scoring two in the fifth and one in the seventh to cut the score to 8-6. The Huskies then put the game away in the top of the eighth when they manufactured three more runs to move the score to 11-6.

Day reached on a base on balls and quickly took advantage of the free pass, scoring on the next at-bat in which Farkes doubled to left center. Wasserman then singled to right field to bring home Farkes. After moving to second on a single by junior Bryan Maler (Ansonia, Conn.), Wasserman scored the final run for the Huskies as Hourigan tallied his fourth RBI of the game.

Overall, the Huskies collected 18 hits in the game, six of which were doubles, while Fairfield had 13. Day registered a perfect 4-for-4 performance, with two runs and an RBI, while Mallozzi finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Wasserman was 3-for-5 and Farkes was 2-for-5 as both drove in two runs while scoring two as well.

Picking up the win for UConn was freshman Mike Tarsi (Danbury, Conn.). The rookie southpaw threw five innings with seven hits, five runs and three strikeouts in his second victory of the season. He was relieved by sophomore Pat Maguire (Chelmsford, Mass.) and junior Joe Smeraglino (Shelton, Conn.), who both pitched two innings. Maguire struck out four with four hits and one run, while Smeraglino closed out the game and allowed two hits with one strikeout.

Brian Rudolph (4-for-5) and Brian Schappert (3-for-4) combined for seven of the Stags' 13 hits to lead Fairfield's offense.

Connecticut will rest on Friday before opening play at J.O. Christian Field April 2-3. The Huskies play host to BIG EAST foe West Virginia with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. Action on both days begins at 12:00 p.m.