After a rough three-game stretch in Caguas, Puerto Rico, the UConn men’s baseball team looked ahead to a three-game series on the road at Florida Atlantic this past weekend. However, this road trip did not go to plan for Connecticut, as the Hook C lost two out of their three contests to FAU in close fashion.
On Friday, it was bump day for Gabe Van Emon, though his night didn’t last long. Despite only lasting two innings, the southpaw threw 52 pitches, conceding a pair of hits and walks. However, no damage was done as the Owls failed to put any runs on the board, though the same could not be said for the Huskies.
As the lineup card turned over, UConn’s top of the order got another lick at starting pitcher Trey Beard, and they didn’t disappoint. After a pair of singles, Tyler Minick came up to the dish and belted a huge three-run jack to right field, putting the Huskies up 3-0 early. However, the Owls were far from done.
UConn reliever Oliver Pudvar ran into some trouble in the fifth inning as the Owls offense rallied after a quick flyout. Patrick Ward grinded out an eight-pitch at-bat before doubling to right center field. Jake Duer then drove his teammate in, but Jake Millan capped off the four-run, four-hit inning with a massive three-run jack to left field, giving the Owls the 4-3 advantage. The Huskies could never recover, as while Grant MacArthur tied the game at four runs a piece, Ward again grinded out a full count two-out RBI, meaning that the Owls held on for the 5-4 victory.
Saturday’s contest was a stark contrast to Friday, as runs came at a bunch for both programs. UConn starter Ian Cooke made it out of the first inning but came out of the ball game after facing two hitters in the second. The New Milford native conceded nine runs (six earned) on eight hits. While FAU jumped out to a 17-1 lead at one point, the Huskies responded. Minick hit a massive grand slam in the fifth inning after the program stringed together some singles. However, Connecticut wasn’t done. A few batters later, up came Maddix Dalena, who knocked in another baserunner, capping off an excellent seven-run inning. The Huskies followed this up with another seven-run outburst in the sixth inning, thanks to a pair of homers from Carter Groen and Anthony Belisario. Many of UConn’s scoring opportunities all day long were set up by their ability to stay disciplined at the plate and work themselves into favorable counts. Rob Rispoli displayed UConn’s ability to stay disciplined, walking on five pitches to plate in another run. After a no-out sacrifice fly, UConn stranded a pair of base runners, which came back to bite them later. Despite putting up 17 runs on 18 hits, the Hook C could not overcome the FAU offense that day, which scored in every inning other than the fourth. Connecticut fell 25-17.
While the bats never failed Connecticut up to this point, they needed better pitching if the program was to avoid the season sweep and chalk up their first w of the young season. UConn got that on Sunday, as the program posted their first win of the year, outlasting the Owls 5-3 in extra innings. Thomas Ellisen put up an excellent four-inning start, only conceding one run.
While FAU initially jumped out to a 1-0 lead, the Hook C offense quickly responded. UConn managed to load the bases in the top of the seventh. While Padilla grounded into a double play, a run scored, which evened the contest. However, in the bottom frame, Marshall Lipsey hit a massive two-run home run, giving the Owls a two-run advantage heading into the eighth. However, as they have done so many times before, Connecticut responded.
Minick responded with a massive two-run blast of his own. And after a three up, three down bottom of the ninth, Sunday’s contest was heading for extras.
The longball again saved UConn, as Ryan Daniels put one over the wall, giving UConn the early 5-3 lead in the 10th. Despite getting the tying run up to bat in the bottom half of the frame, Brady Afthim shut the door, completing his three-inning stint, meaning UConn held on for their first win of the year, 5-3.
While the season has not gone to plan for the program thus far, UConn has shown flashes of talent. The offense is there, and so is the hitting. Both sides of the ball finally came together for the program on Sunday. UConn has a chance to play its most complete baseball yet this weekend in the Dodger Classic, where they will compete against USC, UCLA and Vanderbilt.