After some schedule changes due to weather, the Hook C finally played their midweek matchup at Elliot Ballpark against Hofstra.
It was a sunny yet chilly day in Storrs, but the Huskies bats were on fire as they scored 12 runs in the day. Sophomore Charlie West got the start in the circle for UConn. The sophomore started the game with a 1-2-3 inning, setting the Huskies offense up to bat.
Junior Ryan Daniels started the first inning after a base hit scored redshirt freshman Rob Rispoli for the first run of the game. UConn added to their lead in the same inning as sophomore Tyler Minick hit an RBI single and Caleb Shpur made his way home, extending the Huskies lead to a 2-0 lead.
West weathered the storm on the mound and hit a career-high five punch outs by the third inning. When UConn came up to bat in the bottom of the third inning, junior Aidan Dougherty ripped the first pitch up the middle to score Minick, giving UConn the 3-1 lead. Graduate student Sam Biller then came up to the batter’s box and ran out a short base hit to the infield, which scored two runs for the Huskies. Hook C ended the fourth inning leading Hofstra 5-1.
The Huskies kept their offense going in the fifth inning as Shpur hit his second triple of the season, scoring Rispli at the plate to make the score 6-1. In the eighth inning, Biller hit a two-run double, opening the game’s lead to 11-3.
As the final innings concluded, UConn defeated Hofstra 12-4 at Elliot Ballpark. West had himself a day on the mound and earned his first career win for the Huskies against Hofstra with five IP, zero ER and eight K. The offense was also able to put up 11 hits and 12 runs, fueling the Huskies to a midweek victory.
“He was excellent – We need more guys like that on the mound,” said head coach Jim Penders following the win.
The Huskies will be back in action at home this weekend for a Big East series against Georgetown. The series will commence on Friday, April 11 with first pitch at 6:05 p.m., then continue on Saturday, April 12 starting at 2:05 p.m. and wrap up on Sunday, April 13 at 12:05 p.m. All games will be held at Elliot Ballpark in Storrs.