No. 9 HookC Walks Off in 13th Against Bulldogs

Friday, May 12

Storrs, Conn.

6:05 PM

University of Connecticut

37-11, 0

Butler University

11-39, 0

Butler

Connecticut

5/12/2023 11:37:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. - The No. 9 UConn baseball team (37-11, 12-3 BIG EAST) extended its win streak to eight with a walk-off win, 6-5, in 13 innings against the Butler Bulldogs (11-39, 4-12 BIG EAST) on Friday night at Elliot Ballpark.

The longest game (innings wise) since 2016 for the Huskies ended with freshman Ryan Daniels working a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 13th.

The Huskies needed a strong effort from their bullpen to escape Friday with their ninth-straight series opening victory.

Devin Kirby logged two scoreless innings with both frames ending with the Ukiah, Calif. native stranding the potential go-ahead run in scoring position.

Left-hander Zach Fogell was lights out coming out of the bullpen and logging a career-high 5.1 shutout frames that yielded just one hit, zero walks and struck out nine.

Justin Willis followed by getting the final two outs of the 13th to keep the game tied at 5-5.

The Huskies struggled to get base runners on against left-hander Cole Graverson who threw 5.0 innings, gave up just two hits and kept the Huskies off balance from the eighth inning until the 13th.

In the 13th, Luke Broadhurst doubled to lead off the inning and T.C. Simmons was intentionally walked. After a sacrifice bunt by Bryan Padilla advanced runners to second and third, the Bulldogs intentionally walked pinch-hitter Maddix Dalena to load the bases.

After a strikeout, Daniels battled at the plate and fouled off four 3-2 offerings before taking ball four and ending the game after 3 hours and fifty five minutes.

First baseman Ben Huber returned to the lineup after missing nine games with injury and homered in his first at bat in the first inning. The Pendleton, S.C. native finished the night with three hits and scored a pair of runs.

T.C. Simmons also notched a multi-hit effort in the victory.

The Huskies and Bulldogs return to the field tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. for the middle game of the series.