University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
12-7, 1-0
University of Houston
10-10, 0-1
Pitching Slows Houston in Series Opener, 2-1
3/23/2019 12:57:00 AM | Baseball
HOUSTON – The UConn baseball team received a stellar performance from its pitching staff to secure a 2-1 series-opening win at Houston on Friday night at Schroeder Park. The Huskies move to 12-7 overall and 1-0 in American play.
UConn Friday night starter Mason Feole was back to his vintage self with a stellar 7.0 inning outing that earned the junior his 17th career victory as a Husky. Feole racked up a season-high eight strikeouts and allowed one unearned run while scattering three hits. The left-hander went through a stretch of retiring 10 Cougars in a row from the third to sixth inning.
The Huskies took the lead in the fourth inning after John Toppa reached second base on a throwing error from Jared Triolo. Christian Fedko delivered an RBI double and then later scored on a hot shot up the middle from Cole Brodnansky that hit off the second baseman's glove and rolled into centerfield.
Leading 2-0 in the seventh, the Huskies defense had a letdown. Joh Toppa misplayed a fly ball to start the inning that allowed the leadoff batter to get to second and the Cougars got on the board on a pickoff attempt that first baseman Chris Winkel threw into left field.
The Huskies buckled down though and Conor Moriarty cut the tying run off at the plate on a safety squeeze attempt with one out to keep it 2-1 UConn.
Jake Wallace earned his sixth save of the season by recording the final four outs of the ballgame. The Metheun, Mass. native struck out power threat Joe Davis to end the eighth. Then got a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play to end the game.
The Huskies look to grab its first-ever series win at Houston on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
Notes
- Mason Feole earned his 17th career win as a Husky, moving him into a tie for ninth all-time in program history.
- Christian Fedko recorded his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
- UConn is 6-0 on Fridays this season.
- In all six saves for Jake Wallace, the closer has pitched more than one inning.
- Feole's eight strikeouts were the most in a game for a UConn pitcher this season.
- The Huskies 2-1 win was the first one-run win for the Huskies since Opening Night (Feb. 15) vs. No. 4 Louisville, 3-2.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Feole, Mason (1-0)
L: LOCKHART Jr. (1-3)
S: Wallace, Jacob (6)
Batting:
2B: Prato, Anthony 1 ; Fedko, Christian 1
RBI: Fedko, Christian 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Toppa, John 1 ; Fedko, Christian 1
SB: Prato, Anthony 1 ; Toppa, John 1
Batting:
2B: TRIOLO, J. 1 ; HYLAND, K. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HYLAND, K. 1
SB: THOMAS, J. 1
CS: HYLAND, K. 1
