Baseball Falls to Presbyterian
A 3-1 lead for the University of Connecticut baseball team vanished in a four-run seventh en route to a 5-4 loss to Presbyterian College on Sunday afternoon. The Huskies dropped to 10-6 on the year, while the Blue Hose improved to 13-8.
UConn, which was outhit 13-6 in the game, scored three runs in the first inning on a home run by senior second baseman LJ Mazzilli (Greenwich, Conn.). For Mazzilli, it was his second of the weekend and third of the season.
Despite being outhit, the Huskies maintained a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. After left-handed starter Brian Ward (Milford, Conn.) exited having pitched 5.2 innings and allowing one run one eight hits and four strikeouts, redshirt-sophomore lefty David Mahoney (Colchester, Conn.) came on to pitch.
Mahoney gave up a three-run home run to sophomore DH Cam McRae with just one out to give PC a 4-3 lead. Freshman shortstop Ryan Hagan then reached on an error by junior shortstop Tom Verdi (Warwick, R.I.) and scored on a bunt single by freshman catcher Derek Long.
Playing from behind for the first time in the game, Connecticut began to mount a comeback in the top of the eighth. Freshman first baseman Bobby Melley (Barnstable, Mass.) was hit by a pitch and sophomore left fielder Eric Yavarone (North Haven, Conn.) singled through the left side. After Melley was forced out at third, freshman catcher Max McDowell (North Huntington, Pa.) singled to load the bases and freshman DH Bryan Daniello (Norwalk, Conn.) came through with a single to right; scoring Yavarone, but sophomore right fielder Jon Testani (Monroe, Conn.) was thrown out at home plate on the play.
Verdi was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, but the inning came to a close when redshirt-senior center fielder Billy Ferriter (Nashua, N.H.) struck out swinging.
Junior lefty Chad Sanders (2-1) earned the win in 1.1 innings of relief for Presbyterin. Junior righty Bud Jeter went 5.2 innings in the start and allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits and six walks, while striking out six.
Mahoney (0-1) took the loss for UConn. He tossed 0.2 innings and was tagged for four runs, three earned, on five hits and a walk to go with one strikeout.
The Huskies stay in South Carolina for a game at College of Charleston at 6:00 pm on Tuesday.
Game Notes:
– LJ Mazzilli hit two home runs this weekend and extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
– Mazzilli is now 18th all-time at UConn with 18 career home runs.
– For the third time this season, UConn did not steal a base.
– Vinny Siena’s reached base streak ends at 15 games.
– UConn has won just two games in its last 11 played in South Carolina.
Reprinted with permission from UConnHuskies.com
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