No. 20 HookC Beats UMBC 9-4 in Series Opener

Friday, March 31

Storrs, Conn.

12:05 PM

University of Connecticut

18-6

University of Maryland Baltimore County

11-10

UMBC

Connecticut

3/31/2023 4:03:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. - The No. 20 UConn baseball team (18-6) beat UMBC (11-10), 9-4, in its series opener on a dreary Friday afternoon at Elliot Ballpark.

The Huskies did a fantastic job against UMBC ace Luke Johnson, knocking him out of the ballgame after just recording five outs. UConn scored a run in the first on a sacrifice fly from Luke Broadhurst and added four runs in the second inning.

The offense was able to work deep counts and collect five hits, three walks and forced Johnson to throw 61 pitches before exiting in the 2nd inning.

Korey Morton had a stand out day at the plate with a single to start the rally in the second and then he followed it up with an inside-the-park homer in the third inning. The UConn center fielder collected his third hit, an RBI single, in the seventh to extend the UConn lead to 8-2.

Starting pitcher Ian Cooke got off to a rocky start by walking the lead off man in the first and second innings. The New Milford, Conn. native was able to settle in and pitch six strong innings. Cooke registered eight strikeouts and allowed just three hits on the afternoon to earn his third win of the year.

The Huskies seemed to be in cruise control until the seventh, with a 7-2 lead, the UConn bullpen walked the first three batters of the inning. Tommy Ellisen came out of the bullpen and was able to put out the fire, getting a 1-2-3 double play and a ground out to third to end the threat and keep UMBC off the scoreboard.

Luke Broadhurst drove in three in the victory with a 2-2 day at the plate.

Dominic Freeberger closed out the game in the ninth with a 1-2-3 frame.

The Huskies and Retrievers resume their three-game series tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. in Hartford at Dunkin' Park.