University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
9-6
Michigan State University
3-13
Huskies Sweep Doubleheader Against Spartans
3/16/2019 11:26:00 PM | Baseball
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The UConn baseball outscored Michigan State, 26-7, to capture a doubleheader sweep and clinch a series win against the Spartans. The Huskies three-game win streak moves UConn to 10-6 on the season.
Game 1
The Huskies scored a season-high 17 runs to capture the first game of the doubleheader on a season-high 13 hits.
UConn got off to a quick start with a six-run first inning with all of the runs coming with two outs. The six runs is the most the Huskies have scored in an inning this season.
Chris Winkel recorded his second three-hit game of the season by collecting a pair of doubles and tied his career-high with four RBIs.
Mike Woodworth reached five times in the contest including a pair of hits and three RBIs.
Jeff Kersten picked up his third win of the season with six solid innings of work. The right-hander allowed all four runs in the second inning but settled in and did not allow a run the remainder of his outing.
Randy Polonia closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning. The redshirt junior had not pitched in a game since June 4, 2016 in the NCAA Tournament against No. 1 Florida. It has been 1015 days since Polonia last appeared on the mound after going through Tommy John Surgery after the 2016 season and sustaining a season-ending Lat injury in 2018.
Game 2
UConn earned the doubleheader sweep behind solid pitching from starter Kenny Haus. The right-hander logged five innings of work and earned his first career win at UConn.
Caleb Wurster and Joe Simeone were exceptional out of the bullpen with each hurler recording two scoreless frames.
The Huskies put the game away in the eighth inning with a four-run frame to make it 9-3 Huskies. Pat Winkel bounced a two-run single into centerfield and Christian Fedko followed with his third home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field.
Paul Gozzo continued to be effective at the plate with his third multi-hit effort of the season. Gozzo ripped a two-run double down the left field line in the second.
Anthony Prato reached base four times in contest, scored three runs with some savvy base-running and made a couple great defensive plays in the win for the Huskies.
Notes
· The Huskies have walked 30 times in three games against the Spartans. UConn has also reached 11 times via hit by pitch.
· The UConn bullpen totaled 7.0 scoreless frames in the twin bill.
· Kenny Haus became just the second UConn starter to pitch 5.0 inning this season (Jeff Kersten).
· Anthony Prato has reached in all 16 games this season and has reached in 22-straight dating back to last season.
· Randy Polonia made his first appearance since June 4, 2016 in the Gainesville Regional
· Anthony Prato reached base in nine of 12 plate appearances in the doubleheader (two hits, five walks and two hit by pitches.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kersten, Jeff (3-0)
L: Mokma,Mike (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Woodworth, Michael 1 ; Toppa, John 1 ; Fedko, Kyler 1 ; Winkel, Chris 2
RBI: Woodworth, Michael 3 ; Prato, Anthony 1 ; Toppa, John 2 ; Winkel, Pat 1 ; Fedko, Christian 1 ; Lucas, Will 1 ; Fedko, Kyler 1 ; Winkel, Chris 4 ; Moriarty, Conor 1
SF: Lucas, Will 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Woodworth, Michael 3 ; Chiovitti, Michael 1 ; Prato, Anthony 2 ; Toppa, John 2 ; Phillips, Thad 1 ; Fedko, Christian 1 ; Fedko, Kyler 3 ; Winkel, Chris 1 ; Moriarty, Conor 1 ; Nucerino, Anthony 2
HBP: Woodworth, Michael 2 ; Prato, Anthony 2 ; Fedko, Christian 1 ; Fedko, Kyler 1
Batting:
2B: Bechina,M 1 ; Walker,Z. 1
RBI: Antoncic,J 1 ; Kelley,B 1 ; Ando,Royce 1 ; Iverson,Zach 1
SF: Kelley,B 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bechina,M 1 ; Walker,Z. 1 ; Proctor,Adam 1 ; Peterson,B. 1
SB: Chmielewski 1
