For the Huskies, it was more of the same against Yale Wednesday. UConn's pitching was shaky, but yet again, the Huskies came up big offensively late to grab a 9-6 victory over the Bulldogs.
At the start of the game, it looked as though it was going to be another race to double-digit runs. But both teams quickly calmed down. Yale left fielder Randy Leonard led off the game by getting to first on an error by UConn centerfielder Russ D'Argento and Leonard later scored on a sac fly by centerfielder Chris Elkins. UConn starting pitcher Erik Drown settled down to end the inning by surrendering just the one run on no hits.
The Huskies would fire back in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs to take the lead. D'Argento led off the game similarly to how the Bulldogs started, on an error. D'Argento used his speed to steal second base and get into scoring position. A triple by first baseman Peter Soteropolous scored D'Argento.
The game quickly turned into a pitching duel as Drown battled a slew of Yale pitchers, with both sides putting up four consecutive scoreless innings. Drown carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, but although it was broken up, no runs scored. The Huskies put two runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth with the help of some throwing troubles from Yale.
The Huskies looked to be in good position again with a 4-1 lead entering the sixth inning, but Yale found their stroke in the frame and put five runs on the board. Drown, who had been sitting down batters at an impressive pace, ran into some serious offense from the Bulldogs. Yale got the first five batters of the inning on base, forcing Drown out of the game.
"Four shots and a walk, I had to take him out," head coach Andy Baylock said. "Even though he did good up until then."
Those five base runners would produce two runs, before Drown was relieved by workhorse Keith Potvin. Potvin took over with the bases loaded and allowed three runners on base, all credited to Drown, to score. Designated hitter Dave Fortenbaugh brought in the first of those runs on a single. Second baseman Steven Duke got a double to bring home the other two runs.
In the bottom of the inning the Huskies scored one run, but after a scoreless seventh, UConn trailed 6-5. Potvin remained strong in the eighth inning, not allowing anymore runs.
The Huskies' hitters finally exploded in the bottom of the eighth. Catcher Mike Leonard led off the inning with a single. Pinch hitter David Tokarz was sent in to bunt, but UConn's bunting woes continued, and Tokarz got behind 0-2 in the count. Forced to swing away, Tokarz slapped a single down the third base line which scored the tying run on the help of a bobble from the left fielder, Leonard.
"He's strictly a utility guy, a role player, but he has a great attitude and when you have that kind of attitude good things are going to happen to you," Baylock said.
Third baseman Dan Trubia followed that up with a sacrifice fly that scored pinch runner Tony Mallozzi. Shortstop Brett Burnham added two more runs on a single to center, bringing the score to 9-6.
The Huskies brought in closer Mike James for the top of the ninth. James shut down the Bulldogs to earn his sixth save of the season. Potvin earned the win on three strong relief innings. Adam Barrick took the loss for the Bulldogs. Barrick surrendered all four runs in the bottom of the eighth.
"[Potvin] did a respectable job and it's nice to have James come in and end it," Baylock said.
Notebook:
The win was the tenth straight for the Huskies, breaking the UConn record that stood since 1989. UConn's victory improved their overall record to 13-8. The Bulldogs fell to 8-10 on the year.
The Huskies' next game is today at Fairfield, against former UConn star John Slosar. Slosar is in his 19th season as head coach of the Stags. Slosar pitched in the College World Series for UConn in 1972.
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