University of Connecticut Athletics
Ninth Inning Heroics Lead Huskies Past Hartford
3/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
STORRS, CT (March 24) -- Reigning BIG EAST Player of the Week Russ D'Argento (Marlboro, MA) hit a game-tying home run to lead off the ninth and junior Jeff Hourigan (Beacon Falls, CT) drove in the game-winning run with one out as the University of Connecticut baseball team used some ninth inning heroics to overcome Hartford, 7-6, on Wednesday afternoon at J.O. Christian Field in Storrs, Conn. With the victory, UConn's ninth in a row, the Huskies improve to 9-5 on the young season, while the Hawks slip to 2-6.
The Huskies constructed a 5-0 lead on the Hawks after six innings, but UHart was able to seize a 6-5 edge after plating six runs in the seventh and UHart hurler Jeff Swedberg was able to hold the Huskies at bay for two innings.
The Huskies figured out Swedberg in the ninth though as D'Argento laced a leadoff homer well over the 370' marker in left centerfield, knotting the score at six. Sophomore Kyle Messineo (Cedar Grove, NJ) drew a walk and advanced to second on Marc Peluso's (Pawcatuck, CT) ground out.
The Hawks then elected to intentionally walk senior Mike Leonard (Vernon, CT) to set up a force at every infield base, but Hourigan made the Hawks pay when he ripped a single into center, driving in Messineo for the winning run.
Brendan McGinn (Tolland, CT) was outstanding in the start for UConn, giving up only three hits in five innings while fanning eight and walking none. Josh MacDonald (Milford, CT) relieved McGinn and gave up six unearned runs allowing UHart to take the lead. Joe Smeraglino (Shelton, CT) enjoyed yet another solid outing, as he gave up two hits and held Hartford scoreless in 2.2 innings of work. Smeraglino recorded the win, running his record to 3-1 on the season.
D'Argento continued his hot hitting with a 2-for-5 performance with two RBI and two runs scored. Peluso went 2-for-4 with with two RBI and a home run in the first, and Leonard enjoyed a 3-for-4 afternoon. Hourigan drove in two runs and had a season-high four hits in five at bats.
The Huskies are back in action on Thursday, March 25 when they travel to Quinnipiac for a 3:00 contest.
