University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
St. John's
Tammaro Drives In NIne, Hits Walk Off HR to Lift HookC, 11-8
4/14/2024 8:34:00 PM | Baseball
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn baseball team (16-17, 4-2 BIG EAST) received an all-time performance from shortstop Paul Tammaro to earn an 11-8 series win against St. John's (23-7-1, 4-2 BIG EAST) on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Elliot Ballpark.
The Rivervale, N.J. native, Tammaro, drove in a career-high nine runs including a go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning and a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth.
It is the most runs batted in for a Husky since Brian Packin had a 10 RBI game back in 1999 against St. John's (4/14/1999).
The Huskies needed Tammaro's heroics on Sunday after falling behind 3-0 in the third inning and 7-3 in the sixth inning.
The Huskies loaded the bases in the fourth inning against St. John's starter Mario Pesca with one out and after a strikeout gave Pesca an opportunity to get out of the inning unscathed, Tammaro dropped a single into right field to plate a pair.
Moments later, Tammaro took off for second and drew a throw from catcher Jimmy Keenan. The throw sailed into center field and Caleb Shpur easily scored from third to even the score, 3-3.
St. John's immediately responded with two runs in the fifth and Jackson Tucker admired a two-run home run in the sixth inning to push the lead to 7-3.
The Huskies just wouldn't go away, with Jake Studley doubling to start the home half of the sixth and advancing to third on a T.C. Simmons base hit. Tammaro followed with an RBI single through the left side to make it 7-4.
Later in the frame, Matt Garbowski drew a bases loaded walk to bring the deficit to two, 7-5.
RHP Jack Sullivan was key out of the UConn bullpen, throwing 1.1 shutout frames including a quick 1-2-3 seventh inning to maintain the Huskies momentum.
In the bottom of the seventh, Studley walked and Shpur doubled to place runners at second and third with one out. After a strikeout to Matt Malcom, Tammaro delivered a go-ahead three-run shot to give UConn its first lead of the day.
The lead was short lived as pinch-hitter Jayder Raifstanger hit his first career home run, a solo shot, to make it an 8-8 game.
The scored remained the same until the bottom of the ninth, Maddix Dalena drew a lead off walk to start the frame. Tyler Minick pinch ran and advanced to second on a Studley sacrifice bunt. After a fly out to left, Matt Malcom extended the frame with a walk setting the stage for Tammaro.
The graduate student lifted a 1-0 pitch deep to left field, left fielder Garret Scavelli tracked the ball and seemed to make the catch at the top of the fence but the ball contact with the fence seemed to dislodge the ball and give UConn a wild 11-8 victory against its rival, St. John's.
The Huskies have now won five of six and back-to-back BIG EAST series. Next up, the Huskies welcome BIG 12 foe Kansas State to Elliot Ballpark for a Tuesday, April 16 matchup on CBS Sports Network at 6:05 p.m.
Game Notes
- The Huskies Elliot Ballpark magic continued on Sunday, the Huskies have won all 16 series they have played at Elliot Ballpark since its opening in 2021.
- Sunday was the first multi-homer game for Paul Tammaro in his UConn career.
- The walk-off win was the second for the Huskies this season and their first at Elliot Ballpark this year.
- Brady Afthim grabbed his first career victory out of the pen on Sunday.
- The Huskies are 3-1 in rubber games this season.
- UConn has won four in a row on Sundays.
