University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Purdue
Huskies Open 2011 with a 10-2 Loss to Purdue
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 19, 2011
DUNEDIN, Fla. - The UConn baseball team opened the 2011 season with a 10-2 loss to Purdue in its first game of the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge at Dunedin Stadium on Friday night.
The Boilermakers (1-0) took a 4-0 lead in the top of the seventh before the Huskies' (0-1) scored their first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the frame. Purdue added two more runs in the top of the eighth to extend its lead to five at 6-1.
They continued to extend their advantage to nine runs with a four-run ninth inning before UConn tallied its second run of the contest in the bottom of the frame.
Nick Ahmed led the Huskies in tonight's game as he went 3-for-5 with one run and one RBI. The junior also recorded a double and two triples on the night.
UConn's first run came in the seventh inning as a fielder's choice by Ahmed scored Billy Ferriter from third. Ferriter led off the inning with his first walk of the season as he battled through a 3-2 count to earn the free pass to first. He was able to get into scoring position as he advanced to third on a Purdue error off of a John Andreoli fielder's choice.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Ahmed took a 1-2 pitch into right center to pick up his second triple of the game. Fellow junior George Springer followed with a sacrifice fly to earn his first RBI of the season but senior Mike Nemeth lined out to second for the final out of the contest as the Boilermakers picked up their first win of the year.
Purdue struck early in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead on one hit, one walk and two hit batters. The Boilermakers added a total of seven runs in the final three innings to take the victory.
Elliot Glynn (0-1) began the game on the mound for the Huskies and took the loss as he allowed three runs and seven hits in 4.2 innings of work. David Fischer came in out of the bullpen and tossed 2.1 innings as he struck out three but allowed one hit and one run. Michael Zaccardo and Ryan Moore combined for three innings of work as they gave up six runs, two of which were earned.
Purdue's Matt Morgan struck out five Huskies in 5.2 innings on the mound as he allowed no runs and three hits. The Boilermakers out-hit the Huskies 12-6 on the night as they were led by Eric Charles who went 4-for-6 with one RBI.
The Huskies return to action on Saturday against Minnesota with a 4:00 p.m. game at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Fla. UConn will conclude BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge play on Sunday with a 10:00 a.m. battle against Michigan, which will also be played in Clearwater.
