University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Finishes 2001 Season On High Note
5/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Storrs, CT (May 8) - For a moment it seemed as though the 2001 University of Connecticut baseball team would turn in the first losing season since 1995 after Hartford jumped to a 4-0 lead in its half of the first, but the Huskies struck back with six of their own in the bottom half of the frame and never looked back as they went on to a 19-8 victory. With the win at J.O. Christian Field in Storrs, CT, Connecticut ended its season on Tuesday afternoon with a 26-25 overall record and a 13-13 BIG EAST mark, while Hartford dropped to 13-32 on the year.
In the top half of the opening inning, UConn's Erik Drown (So., Ipswich, MA) gave up four runs and three hits, but settled down after that and cruised to his third win of the season as he is now 3-1. After the first he only allowed one more run and two more hits before Chris DeBrisco (Sr., Stamford, CT) came on in relief in the top of the sixth.
DeBrisco was one of five seniors honored prior to the game as were Joe Kagerer (Sr., Lebanon, CT), Mike Scott (Jr., Darien, CT), Ryan Treat (Sr., Uncasville, CT) and Brian Tisbert (Sr., Andover, MA) were recognized in a ceremony for the members of the graduating class of 2001.
The 4-0 Hawk advantage wouldn't last long as Peter Soteropoulos (So, Peabody, MA, who finished the day going 5-for-6, sent a three RBI double to right. Later on in the inning, Russ DâArgento (Fr., Ashland, MA) doubled to left to bring Soteropoulos around, before Mike Leonard (Fr., Vernon, CT) sent his second homer of the season to left.
Home runs would account for two more in the second when Cy Hess (Jr., Oakdale, CT) wheeled around on an inside the park shot and Dan Trubia (So., Tolland, CT) sent his second of the year to left. Hess, who went 4-for-6 with four RBI and six runs, finished the season as the leader in the home run department with six.
For the second time in as many games, the Huskies scored 19 runs as they also did so at top-ranked Notre Dame on Sunday in a 19-12 victory. Against Hartford, UConn came up with one in the fourth, three in the fifth, four in the sixth and three more in the eighth.
The 2001 team batting average, .308, finishes in a tie with the 1999 squad for the fifth highest in school history, while the 101 doubles ties the 1998 team for the third best total and the 96 stolen bases ranks third.
Eric Drown, Chris DeBrisco (6) and Mike Leonard. Drew Nekola, Joe Connolly (4), Jason Bellavance (6), John Manning (8) and Keith Mirante. Win- Drown (3-1). Loss- Nekola (2-5). E-Waldron, 3 (HU), Parker (HU), Nowak (HU), Hess (UC), Tokarz (UC), D'Argento (UC), Treat (UC), Kagerer (UC). 2B- Waldron (HU), Gardner (HU), Hess (UC), Soteropoulos, 2 (UC), DâArgento (UC), Kagerer (UC). SB-Tisbert, 2 (UC), Hess (UC) LOB-UC, 10, HU, 7
