University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Coastal Carolina University
Ninth Inning Rally Ends in 12-Inning Win at Coastal, 5-4
3/7/2021 9:58:00 PM | Baseball
CONWAY, S.C. – Down to its final two outs and trailing 4-3 in the ninth, the UConn baseball team came from behind to win 5-4 in 12 innings on Sunday evening at Springs Brooks Stadium.
Coastal Carolina was 81-1-1 all-time when leading after eight innings since the start of the 2018 season. Trailing by a run entering the ninth, Chris Brown reached on an infield single and was pinch-run for by Andy Hague. Hague advanced to second on a Zach Bushling sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a wild pitch.
Erik Stock delivered a sacrifice fly to even the score at four and push the Huskies to their first extra-inning game of the season.
Preseason All-American closer Caleb Wurster dominated the Chanticleers out of the pen with a career-high 4.2 hitless innings that featured zero walks and career-high 10 strikeouts.
UConn aided Wurster in the 12th with singles from Erik Stock and Christian Fedko to place runners at the corners with one out. 2 YR FR Reggie Crawford beat out a potential inning-ending double play ball to bring in Stock from third and make it 5-4 Huskies.
Wurster finished the night in style, striking out the side in the 12th to earn his second win of the season.
UConn jumped out to an initial 3-0 lead with two solo home runs from Pat Winkel and the first career home run for left fielder Kevin Ferrer.
The UConn pitching staff finished the night with 22 strikeouts. The school record for the Huskies is 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game, which has occurred on two occasions. 22 is the most for a Husky pitching staff in a game that has lasted 12 innings.
Next up, the Huskies and Chanticleers have a short turnaround with another matchup on Monday at 12 p .m.
Game Notes
- It was the first time the Huskies won a game when they trailed entering the ninth inning since last season against Presbyterian on March 8, 2020 (trailed 3-1 entering ninth).
- Sunday's extra inning game was the first of the 2021 season. The last extra-inning affair came against UCF on April 30, 2019. (3-1 win in 11 innings).
- Pat Winkel produced his second career multi-home run game. His first came against Cincinnati at Dunkin' Donuts Park on April 7, 2019.
- UConn is 4-3 all-time against Coastal Carolina.
- The Huskies are 5-1-1 in extra-inning games since the beginning of 2018.
