HookC Shuts Out Xavier, 1-0, To Clinch Series

Sunday, April 7

Storrs, CT

11:05 AM

University of Connecticut

12-16, 0

Xavier

15-16, 0

Xavier

Connecticut

4/7/2024 5:21:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. - The UConn baseball team (12-16, 2-1 BIG EAST) won its first BIG EAST series of the season with a 1-0 victory against Xavier (15-16, 1-2 BIG EAST) on Sunday afternoon at Elliot Ballpark.

UConn starting pitcher Stephen Quigley had the tough luck no decision for the Huskies with seven shutout innings of work. The Halifax, Mass. native was able to manuever around two big jams on the afternoon.

In the fourth inning, Quigley was faced with runners at the corners with one way with Aedan Anderson at the plate. The graduate student was able to coax a ground ball to short that turned into an inning-ending double play to keep the game scoreless.

An inning later, Luke Hammond singled to centerfield with runners at first and second and one down. Jared Cushing rounded third and had to slam on the brakes and try to retreat back to the bag, UConn first baseman Maddix Dalena cut off the throw from center and fired a strike to third to get a critical out. Quigley followed with a ground out to second to keep the game tied, 0-0.

With the game still tied in the top of the 8th, left hander Braden Quinn came out of the pen for the second-straight day. The New Fairfield, Conn. native entered with a runner on and no one out but followed by scattering a hit and striking out three to preserve the 0-0 score line.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Huskies finally broke through on the scoreboard. Caleb Shpur singled to start the frame and advanced to second on a Bryan Padilla sacrifice bunt. After Shpur advanced to third on a wild pitch, shortstop Paul Tammaro delivered a two-out RBI single to make it 1-0 Huskies.

Closer Brady Afthim came out of the bullpen and struck out the first two batters that he faced. After a hit by pitch, pinch runner Donavan Canterberry attempted to steal second on a 2-1 pitch and was ruled safe at second.

After a lengthy review, it was determined that Padilla did indeed appy a tag before Canterberry reached the bag resuting in the final out of the game.

Next up, the Huskies will take on Bryant on Tuesday, April 9 at 3:05 p.m. at Elliot Ballpark.

Game Notes

The last time UConn won a game, 1-0, it was against a BIG EAST opponent (St. John's) but was a non-conference series in Queens (March 17, 2018).
UConn is 2-1 in rubber games this season.
Matt Garbowski extended his hit streak to a season-high six games.
Caleb Shpur registered a multi-hit effort, his fourth of the year.
The Huskies logged their third shutout of the season.