Published: March 24, 2007
QUEENS, N.Y.
Connecticut (8-9, 2-0 BIG EAST) turned an early pitcher's duel
into a 6-0 advantage and held off a late St. John's comeback (7-10,
0-2) to win 10-7 at Jack Kaiser Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
UConn starter Dusty Odenbach outlasted Red Storm hurler
Jared Yecker, as the Huskies used a five-run fifth to take
command of the game and hang on despite seven St. John's runs in
the final two innings.
Yecker did not allow a hit over his first 3.1 innings, but UConn
turned its first hit into its first run in the fourth and erupted
for five more runs in the fifth. The sophomore finished with 4.1
innings pitched, seven hits allowed and six runs, before being
relieved by junior
Nick Luisi in the fifth. Luisi threw 2.2 scoreless innings and
struck out three batters, and
Nick Cenatiempo and
James Lally combined to pitch the final inning.
Redshirt freshman
Kevin Watkins made a pinch-hit appearance late and recorded the
first two hits and two RBI of his career. Rookie catcher
Jose Iglesias also knocked in two runs, while
Michael Aicardi and
Sam DeLuca each scored two runs in the loss. With an 0-for-3
day as the designated hitter, junior
Gil Zayas saw his hitting streak snapped at 13 games.
The Huskies recorded their first hit of the game and broke a
scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. And after a
scoreless top half of the fifth, they broke the game open with six
hits and five runs. Shortstop Dennis Donovan delivered a big blow
with a two-run double, and Matt Untiet capped the scoring with an
RBI single into center field.
St. John's rallied in the top of the eighth, cutting into a 6-0
deficit with four hits and four runs. Iglesias, a late substitute
for
Brendan Monaghan, drove in the final two runs with a single
through the left side of the infield, while pinch-hitters Aicardi
and Watkins both singled to provide sparks in the inning. Watkins'
single to the right-center field gap plated
Brian Kemp, and a balk by reliever Erik Turgeon scored Aicardi
from third base.
The Huskies bounced right back with a four-run inning of their
own to stretch the lead to 10-4 through eight complete innings.
The Red Storm again threatened the lead in the top of the ninth,
pushing three runs across to get within 10-7, but reliever Matt
Karl got two quick outs to end the game with a runner on second
base.
The series concludes on Sunday at noon, as the Red Storm looks
to prevent a series sweep.