University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies stay hot with 3-2 win over Central
5/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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STORRS, CT (May 2) – Though the Central Connecticut pitching staff allowed only three hits, the University of Connecticut baseball team capitalized on an error in the third inning with some timely hitting to down the Blue Devils 3-2 Thursday afternoon at J.O. Christian Field.
In a game featuring two of the top hitting teams in the country–CCSU came in ranked 11th in team batting average while UConn ranked 24th–pitching was the order of the day. Connecticut, which improved to 26-17-0 overall, got a solid performance from freshman Josh MacDonald (Milford, CT). The rookie right-hander allowed only two runs on four hits while striking out and walking four to even his record at 2-2. Central Connecticut dropped to 27-17-0 overall.
The Huskies got on the board first with three runs in the third inning, all of which were unearned. An error by third baseman Nick Macellaro allowed freshman Tony Mallozzi (Westboro, MA) to reach base safely, giving UConn a leadoff runner. After Mallozzi moved to second a sacrifice bunt, CCSU starter Josh Cerbone walked the next two batters to load the bases. Junior Peter Soteropoulos (Peabody, MA) picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice, and a single by sophomore Mike Leonard (Vernon, CT) brought home two more.
MacDonald made his only big mistake of the day in the fourth, allowing a leadoff home run down the left field line to Kevin Rival. He didn’t allow another hit until the seventh, a triple by Macellaro past a diving Mike Tripaldi (Groton, MA) down the right field line. Central Connecticut then pulled to within a run after Patrick Holden sent a sacrifice fly into right to bring home Macellaro.
The Blue Devils threatened again in the eighth after Robert Hosgood, who led off the frame with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch. With the tying run in scoring position, MacDonald fielded a comebacker and fired the third for the tag on Hosgood. He then got the next batter to tap one back to the mound for an inning-ending double play.
Sophomore Mike James (Roswell, GA) came on to work a perfect ninth inning and pick up his second save in as many days. UConn’s all-time and single season save leader now has nine saves on the season.
Leonard finished 2-for-3 and was the only batter on either team to have two hits. Junior Jon Robinson (Boca Raton, FL) had UConn's only other hit, a double to right center in the fourth inning.
Connecticut will next face BIG EAST foe Virginia Tech in a three-game series in Blacksburg, VA. The Huskies sit in fifth place in the BIG EAST standings at 12-7-0, just behind the Hokies (11-6-0). The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, May 4, before wrapping up the series on Sunday, May 5. Games are scheduled to begin at noon on both days.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E CCSU 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 2 UConn 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 X 3 3 0Win: MacDonald (2-2).
Loss: Cerbone (2-1).
Save: James (9).
E: CC Macellaro 2.
DP: UC 1.
LOB: CC 5; UC 8.
2B: UC Robinson.
3B: CC Macellaro.
HR: CC Rival.
SH: UC Stefkovich, Tripaldi.
SF: CC Holden.
Batteries: CC Justin Cerbone (4), Scott Vitelli (3), Donald Crossman (1) and Tim D’Aquila; UC Josh MacDonald (8), Mike James (1) and Mike Leonard.
