>>Connecticut - The Huskies welcomed UCF to frigid Storrs and won two out of three in the AAC showdown series. UConn is quietly building an intriguing host resume, with a No. 19 RPI ranking, a 17-10 overall record, and series wins over UCF, St. John’s and Southeastern Louisiana, along with single wins over Georgia Tech and Coastal Carolina.
The UConn bullpen couldn’t hold an 8-4 lead in the ninth inning of Saturday’s series opener, as the Knights stormed back with four runs to tie it, then won it 10-8 in 11 innings. But the Huskies bounced back strong bright and early on Sunday, scoring three runs in the first inning of a doubleheader that started at 8:30 a.m., with temperatures in the low 30s. Chase Gardner (6.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) nearly went the distance in that seven-inning contest, a 6-2 UConn win. There was a flurry of scoring in the late innings of the rubber game, but Connecticut earned a walk-off 7-6 win with a run in the ninth, even without putting a ball in play, as three walks and a wild pitch forced in the winning run.<<