University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Cincinnati
No. 22 Huskies Advance to American Semifinals With DH Sweep
5/23/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
CLEARWATER, FLA. - The No. 22 UConn baseball team collected a pair of win on Wednesday in The American Conference Championship to advance to the semifinal round. The Huskies beat Cincinnati, 6-2, in the opening game of the tournament and followed it up with a 7-4 win against Wichita State in the winner's bracket. The Huskies will face the winner of USF/Wichita State at 12:30 p.m. at Robin Roberts Field on American Digital Network Plus
Game 1
UConn starting pitcher Mason Feole was outstanding once again against the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Wakefield, R.I. native recorded his third double-digit strikeout game of the season and second against the Bearcats with 11 punch outs in seven innings of work.
With his effort, the left-hander moved to 9-1 on the mound for the Huskies this season and notched his 16th career win as a sophomore.
Mike Woodworth supplied the offense in the fifth with a three-run home run to left field. It was the fourth of the season for the UConn second baseman and second of the year against the Bearcats.
Anthony Prato recorded a four-hit effort in the victory and provided insurance in the eighth inning with a two-out RBI single to push the UConn lead to 6-2.
Jacob Wallace notched his third save of the season with two scoreless innings out of the pen to move the Huskies into the winner's bracket.
Huskies are 2⃣ wins closer to a Championship 🏆! #RollSkies pic.twitter.com/6OjxdIiXZZ
-- UConn Baseball (@UConnBSB) May 24, 2018
Game 2
UConn came from behind in game two of the day against the Wichita State Shockers. After a four-run Shockers second inning the Huskies entered the fifth inning down 4-1. The top of the order set the table for seniors Isaac Feldstein and Troy Stefanski.
Feldstein drilled an RBI triple off the glove of a leaping Shocker's centerfielder at the wall that made it a 4-3 Shocker's lead. Stefanski erased the deficit with an RBI single to tie the game. Stefanski finished the game with three hits and reached base four times.
Chase Gardner pitched 4.1 innings and kept the Huskies in the game. The Novato, Calif. native tied his career-high with seven strikeouts and kept his composure after a pair of strikeout wild pitches in the second inning that led to runs.
In the fifth, Gardner handed the ball to junior Tim Cate. Cate, making his second appearance since coming back from injury, was fantastic on the hill. The southpaw did not allow a run in 3.2 innings of work and struck out seven batters. The seven strikeouts pushed Cate past former Husky star Anthony Kay (263) with his 264th career strikeout to set a new UConn record for strikeouts.
The offense gave Cate support in the seventh by pushing a pair of runs across. Zac Susi ripped an RBI single through the right side and John Toppa came storming around third and scored with a great slide into home plate. Stefanski added to the lead with an RBI triple down the left field line to make it 6-4 Huskies.
Prato tacked on a run in the eighth on an RBI single and UConn closer P.J. Poulin polished off the game with his 16th save of the season.
Notes
The Huskies have advanced to nine conference tournament semifinals in the past 10 years in Clearwater, Fla. The only year the Huskies did not reach, 2014, was when the tournament went to a round-robin format.
UConn is 9-3 in doubleheaders this season. Today was the sixth twin bill the Huskies have played in.
In six career conference tournament contests, Anthony Prato has collected 16 hits and driven in eight runs. Prato grabbed six hits today including a four-hit affair vs. Cincinnati.
Tim Cate surpassed Anthony Kay (263) with his 264th strikeout of his career. Cate struck out seven batters in 3.2 innings of work and eclipsed the mark of his former teammate.
In two starts against Cincinnati this season, Mason Feole has struck out 25 Bearcats and logged 15 innings of work. The sophomore collected his 16th career win on Wednesday.
