University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Connecticut
Huskies Top Minutemen 12-1
May 09, 2006 | Baseball
May 9, 2006
Box Score | Photo Gallery
AMHERST, Mass. - Minuteman Baseball (11-26, 9-12 Atlantic 10) dropped Tuesday's game to Connecticut (30-15-1, 13-5-1 Big East) by the score of 12-1. UMass held the Huskies to two runs through the fifth before the visitors exploded for four in the sixth. Nonconference action continues at Earl Lorden Field on Wednesday when UMass hosts Central Connecticut.
Connecticut took the lead in the first, with Pat Mahoney at bat and one on with two outs. Mahoney's shot to left allowed Austin Wasserman to come in for the 1-0 lead before Bryan Maler's shot to center brought Mahoney in to make it 2-0 UConn. Mitchell Eilenberg, making his first collegiate start for the Minutemen, struck out Dennis Donovan to close the inning.
Adam Tempesta's double to center turned into UMass' first scoring opportunity after Wasserman missed the shot and outran it, allowing Ryan Franczek to score on the play. The 2-1 score ended the first inning for the Minutemen, leaving one on base.
Eilenberg and the UMass defense settled down after the first, with the rookie striking out four in the next four innings, five overall, giving up only two hits in that span. The Huskies called on Joshua MacDonald to pitch in the fourth, who gave UMass trouble through the seventh.
The Huskies broke through Eilenberg in the sixth with Larry Day on second and Dennis Donovan at bat. Donovan's shot to second was bobbled by Lou Prioetti, allowing Day to score. Josh Farkes' single made it a 4-1 game with Donovan coming in on the play. UConn added on two more in the inning for the 6-1 score.
Eilenberg lasted 5.2 innings before Beau Hodges was brought up from the bullpen. The grounder to Hodges ended the four-run sixth.
Connecticut added one in the seventh, three in the eighth and two in the ninth for the win. Eilenberg picked the loss, while MacDonald earned the win.
You can follow the action for Wednesday's game vs. Central Connecticut via Gametracker on umassathletics.com. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
