University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
University of Louisville
Huskies Grab Series Win vs. No. 4 Louisville, 8-3
2/17/2019 5:38:00 PM | Baseball
LAKELAND, Fla. – The UConn baseball team made a loud statement on opening weekend with an 8-3 win on Sunday to capture a series win over No. 4 Louisville at Joker Marchant Stadium.
The Huskies relied on quality two-out at bats, quality defense and a superb effort from their arms on the mound.
UConn trailed 1-0 entering the top of the third inning before stringing together a bevy of quality two-out at-bats. Mike Woodworth and Anthony Prato battled with two-strikes before singling and John Toppa reached on a two-strike hit by pitch. Those plate appearances set up Christian Fedko's towering grand slam to left field that gave UConn its first lead of the day.
Joe Simeone made the start for UConn and gave the Huskies three innings of work, allowing four hits, two runs and struck out three. The Groton, Mass. native left the game with the Huskies leading 4-2.
Thad Phillips cashed in a two-out RBI in the fourth inning to extend the UConn lead back to three. Redshirt senior Avery Santos was solid in two innings of work before CJ Dandeneau provided an outstanding performance on the hill.
The redshirt senior dealt 2.2 scoreless innings and bridged the gap to the late innings. The North Smithfield, R.I. native stranded a pair of baserunners at second and third in the sixth before facing the minimum in the seventh.
The Huskies provided insurance in the seventh and eighth innings. Senior captain John Toppa smoked an RBI single into right field to score Phillips after his leadoff walk in the seventh. Junior captain Chris Winkel cracked a two-run, no-doubt home run out to right field to push the UConn lead to five in the eighth.
Jacob Wallace came in and locked down a four-out save to earn his second save of the season and give UConn its first series win over a top-five ranked opponent since Penders took the helm in 2004.
Notes
- Avery Santos earned his first career win with his two innings of work.
- The Huskies grabbed its first series win over a top-five ranked opponent since Penders took the helm in 2004.
- UConn grabbed its first series win over the Cardinals since clinching the 2011 Big East regular season title at J.O. Christian Field.
