University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Defeats Manhattan, 10-8, for Fourth-Straight Win
4/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
RIVERDALE, N.Y. (April 28, 2005) - The University of Connecticut baseball team fought off a late rally by Manhattan as the Huskies won 10-8 on Thursday afternoon in Riverdale, N.Y. The victory was UConn's fourth in a row, and the team has out-scored its opponents 55-22 in those four wins. With 13 scheduled games remaining, the Huskies have already matched their win total of last season. Connecticut is now 26-17 overall (6-8 BIG EAST), while Manhattan falls to 17-13 (8-3 MAAC).
The Huskies scored two runs in the top of the first inning to get an early lead. With one out, senior Russ D'Argento (Marlboro, Mass.) reached first on a walk and moved into scoring position on a stolen base. Classmate Tony Mallozzi (Westboro, Mass.) then doubled to left field to score D'Argento. After stealing third, Mallozzi scored UConn's second run on a sac fly by sophomore Larry Day (Amesbury, Mass.).
Manhattan responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring five runs on four hits to jump ahead 5-2. The scoring included a two homeruns by the Jaspers off of UConn starter Jeff Hourigan (Beacon Falls, Conn.). The senior righty then settled down in the next five innings, limiting the Manhattan batters to just three hits while not allowing another run. Hourigan tied his season-high with nine strikeouts in his six innings while issuing two walks, both in the first inning.
UConn chipped away at the lead, scoring single runs in the second, third and fourth innings to tie the game at 5-5.
The Huskies took the lead in the top of the sixth at 8-5. D'Argento led off the inning with a double down the left-field line. Mallozzi followed with his second double of the game to score D'Argento, but was tagged out trying to advance to third. Freshman Vin DiFazio (Hampton, N.J.) then singled and sophomore Josh Farkes (Boston, Mass.) doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Day collected two more RBI when he hit a single through the right side to score DiFazio and Farkes.
Connecticut added two more runs in the seventh to push its lead to 10-5. After reaching on a fielder's choice, D'Argento scored his fourth run of the game on a single through the left side by DiFazio. Farkes then brought home Mallozzi, who drew a walk to get on base, on a single through the right side to score UConn's final run.
The Jaspers attempted a rally in the bottom of the eighth inning when they cut the score to 10-8. Marc Giordano hit Manhattan's third homerun of the game, while Matt Rizzotti drove in two more runs on a double. Sophomore Ted Garry (Rochester, Minn.) relieved junior Joshua MacDonald (Milford, Conn.) in the middle of the inning to get the final two outs maintain the UConn lead.
Hourigan moved to 5-2 with the win, matching his win-total of 2004. Freshman David Erickson (Stratford, Conn.) made his 18th appearance of the season, pitching the seventh inning with two hits, two strikeouts and a walk. MacDonald started the eighth and threw a third of an inning with three runs on three hits and a strikeout. Garry then got the last five outs with just two hits in his team-leading 19th appearance of the season. Matt Rizzotti got the loss for Manhattan, his first decision of the year.
All nine UConn hitters reached base, with eight Huskies registering a hit. Mallozzi reached base six times, going 3-for-3 with three walks. He scored two runs with two RBI. D'Argento was 2-for-4 with four runs and an RBI. DiFazio, Farkes, sophomore Dennis Donovan (Center Moriches, N.Y.) and freshman Pat Mahoney (Des Moines, Iowa) each had two hits.
With five doubles in the game, the Huskies have hit 103 two-baggers on the season. That total ranks fourth all-time in the UConn annals. The record is 128 hit by the 1999 squad.
The Huskies look to extend their winning streak when they play host to BIG EAST foe Georgetown in a three-game series April 30 and May 1. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. Action begins at 12:00 p.m. both days.
