UConn Scores Three in the Eighth to Top Northeastern, 12-9

Boxscore [.pdf]

STORRS, Conn. (April 5, 2005) - The University of Connecticut baseball team scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Northeastern 12-9 on Tuesday afternoon at J.O. Christian Field. In the back-and-forth offensive battle, UConn was out-hit 16-7, but took advantage of free passes, scoring eight runners that reached base on either a walk or hit-by-pitch. The win is Connecticut's third in a row and moves the Huskies to 18-7 this season. NU falls to 6-13.

UConn scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to go ahead 3-0. With the bases loaded, senior Russ D'Argento (Marlboro, Mass.) drew the fourth walk of the inning to score junior Austin Wasserman (Nashua, N.H.). Sophomore Matt Untiet (Berlin, Conn.) then reached on an error by the shortstop that brought home senior Tony Mallozzi (Westboro, Mass.), followed by junior Steven Malinowski (Kensington, Conn.) who scored on a sac fly by freshman Pat Mahoney (Des Moines, Iowa).

The 3-0 lead would not last long though as Northeastern's Mike Lyon hit a three-RBI double in the top of the second to knot the score at 3-3. Malinowski would give UConn the lead again on an RBI single that scored Wasserman in the bottom of the inning, moving the score to 4-3.

NU responded again with two runs in the top of the next inning, but the one-run lead would be erased as Untiet scored on a groundout by junior Bryan Maler (Ansonia, Conn.) to again tie the score at 5-5 after three.

Northeastern regained the lead, tallying two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to pull ahead 9-5. In the bottom of the sixth, UConn cut the lead the just one at 9-8. Freshman David Muscatello (Hopkinton, Mass.) was hit by a pitch to start the inning, with Maler drawing a walk in the next at-bat. Wasserman hit a double to right center to score Muscatello from second. Maler and Wasserman both then scored on groundouts to second by Mallozzi and senior Jeff Hourigan (Beacon Falls, Conn.).

Connecticut then tied the game at 9-9 in the next inning when D'Argento scored on a wild pitch by Mitch Duggins.

UConn finally pulled ahead again with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Mallozzi started the inning with a single to the shortstop, then moved to second when Hourigan drew a base on balls. The two advanced a base on a sac bunt by Malinowski. In the next at-bat, D'Argento reached on a fielder's choice that got Mallozzi out in a run down with the catcher, during which Hourigan moved to third and D'Argento to second base. Untiet then loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch.

Hourigan scored on a wild pitch which was the fourth ball to Mahoney, who took his base. With the catcher scrambling to field the ball, D'Argento headed for home and slid in safely when the catcher errantly threw the ball past the fielder covering the plate. With runners on first and second, UConn attempted a double steal and ended up scoring Untiet on an error by the second baseman to move the score to 12-9 where it would remain final.

Hourigan, who began the game as the designated hitter, threw the final three innings of the game, allowing no runs on four hits to move to 3-0 this season. Freshman Matt Karl (Wallingford, Conn.) started the game, pitching four innings with seven runs, one of which was earned, on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Junior Joshua MacDonald (Milford, Conn.) also made an appearance, with two runs on five hits and two strikeouts in two innings.

Connecticut will next play host to Marist on Wednesday afternoon. The game will begin at 3:00 p.m. at J.O. Christian Field.