University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
36-19
Maine
20-30
HookC Sweeps Maine
5/17/2025 7:25:00 PM | Baseball
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn baseball team (36-19) secured its sixth-straight series sweep with a 5-1 victory against Maine (20-30) on Senior Day at Elliot Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
Prior to the game the Huskies honored their 11 seniors; Bryan Padilla, Brady Afthim, Tommy Ellisen, Ian Cooke, Matt Garbowski, Sam Biller, Caleb Shpur, Gabe Van Emon, Hector Alejandro, Beau Root, Cam Mayer.
It was sophomore LHP Charlie West that stole the show, pitching a career-high 7.0 innings, allowed just four hits, one run, allowed zero walks and struck out seven.
In a 1-1 game in the bottom of the seventh, pinch-hitter Beau Root led off the frame with a single through the right side. The graduate student eventually came around to score the go-ahead run on a Caleb Shpur RBI single to make it 2-1. Sam Biller added to the lead with a two-out bases loaded walk to become the third Husky to reach 60 RBI on the season.
Ian Cooke and Brady Afthim combined to throw a scoreless eighth inning and freshman Connor Lane provided insurance with a 451 foot two-run homer to push the lead to 5-1. It was the 88th home run of the season for UConn setting a new program single-season record.
Afthim, in his 91st career appearance, tossed a scoreless ninth to notch his ninth save of the season and 17th of his career.
Next up, the Huskies will be the No. 2 seed in the BIG EAST Championship with the opening round beginning on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. against third-seeded Xavier.Â
Game Notes
- The Huskies finish the regular season winning 23 of their final 25 games.Â
- UConn set a program single-season record with its 88th home run.
- Brady Afthim is 2nd in UConn history with 91 career appearances.
- Ian Cooke moved into sole possesion of 2nd place in career strikeouts with 271.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: West, Charlie (5-0)
L: Pierce Friedman (1-2)
S: Detwiler, Bryce (9)
Batting:
2B: Brody Rasmussen 1 ; Dean O'Neill 2
HR: Damon Gaither 1
RBI: Damon Gaither 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Damon Gaither 1
HBP: Aidan Bardi 2 ; Damon Gaither 1
Batting:
2B: Taylor, Chase 1
HR: Lane, Connor 1
RBI: Taylor, Chase 1 ; Menzel, Evan 1 ; Pitts, Joe 1 ; Lane, Connor 2
SF: Pitts, Joe 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Menzel, Evan 1 ; Suchy, Cayden 1 ; McDowell, Matt 1 ; Lane, Connor 1 ; Padilla, Bryan 1
SB: Hale, Charlie 2 ; Padilla, Bryan 1
