University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Split Doubleheader with Pittsburgh
5/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Game 1 boxscore
Game 2 boxscore
STORRS, CT (May 17 ) - The University of Connecticut baseball team split a doubleheader on Saturday, May 17, with Pittsburgh at J.O. Christian Field. UConn took game one 3-0, but fell in game two 3-1. The Huskies are now 23-23 on the season and 9-15 in the BIG EAST, while Pittsburgh moves to 36-19 overall and 13-12 in the conference.
In game one, starter Nick Tucci (Medford, MA) pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only four hits and striking out two to pick up his fourth win of the season. UConn scored the first run of the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Mike Mocerino (Northboro, MA) to score Bryan Maler (Ansonia, CT), who led off the inning with a double. The Huskies would add two insurance runs in the sixth. David Tokarz (Seymour, CT) hit a hard ball to second that was not fielded cleanly, which allowed Mike Leonard (Vernon, CT) and Maler to score for the 3-0 final.
Game two saw both teams score runs in the first inning. Pittsburgh got on the board first with a sacrifice fly by Tom Cashman to score Ben Copeland. UConn scored on an RBI walk by Maler to bring home Tony Mallozzi (Westboro, MA). Pittsburgh would extend their lead to 3-1, in the fifth with an RBI by Copeland and Stuart Rykaceski. The Panther pitching would close the door on the Huskies the rest of the way to get the victory.
The losing pitcher for Pittsburgh in game one was Nick Evangelista who pitched a complete game allowing three runs on six hits. In game two the winning pitcher was Don Rhoten for Pittsburgh, while Tim Norton (Pascoag, RI) picks up the loss allowing three runs on five hits and striking out nine in 6.2 innings.
UConn will return to action tomorrow on Sunday, May 18, against the same Pittsburgh Panthers. The game will mark the final time that 24 year head coach Andy Baylock will lead the Husky baseball team. Senior day festivities will begin at 11:45 a.m. with first pitch set at 12 noon.
