Four Run Fourth Not Enough Against UConn; SHU Falls, 8-4

Wednesday, March 11

Stony Brook

3 pm

Sacred Heart

0-9

UConn

7-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Sacred Heart	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	7	1
UConn	5	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	X	8	9	0

Four Run Fourth Not Enough Against UConn; SHU Falls, 8-4

3/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

STONY BROOK_, N.Y. – Trailing by five after the first, the Sacred Heart baseball team rallied to score four runs in the fourth, but could not complete the comeback and ultimately fell to Connecticut, 8-4, at Stony Brook on Wednesday afternoon. Dan Wertz pitched two innings of scoreless relief in what was his 68^th career appearance for the Pioneers, which is a new school record. Ted Shaw's homer capped the four run fourth, while Jake Friar led SHU at the plate going 2-4 in the loss, which is Sacred Heart's ninth straight to begin the year. UConn had three players with two hits, led by McDowell who had a home run and two RBIs, as it improves to 7-6 with the win.

Alex Perry got the four run fourth started with a walk. After a flyout, Jayson Sullivan gave SHU runners on second and third with his double to left center. Matt Charmello plated the first run with his sacrifice fly to right field. Victor Sorrento followed that with a RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to just three. That is when stepped Shaw stepped in to get SHU within one.

Wertz entered in the second and held the Huskies to just one hit. James Cooksey then relieved him and provided two more innings of scoreless relief to allow Sacred Heart to get back into the game. The Pioneers threatened to tie it in the fifth as Perry got into scoring position with a one out double. Zack Short then walked to give SHU runners on first and second with one out. Radue, who had come in to get the last out of the fourth, again put an end the inning as he stuck out the next two batters.

Connecticut cushioned its lead thanks to two unearned runs scored with two outs in the bottom half. Cooksey was able to retire the first two hitters of the inning, but Sundberg kept the frame alive with a single. Cooksey looked to get out of the inning without any further damage by inducing a groundball, but an error once again kept the Huskie threat going. Davey made the Pioneers pay by roping a two-RBI double to right center to pad the advantage to 7-4. Duff-Deroche capped off the scoring with his solo homer to left center in the seventh.

Sacred Heart was able to get the leadoff man aboard in both the seventh and ninth innings, but on either occasion could they could not get him to second. In addition to Wertz and Cooksey, Jesus Medina also contributed a perfect eighth inning.

Four of UConn's five runs in the first came with two outs. The first two batters got on via a hit by pitch and walk, and then each advanced on a double steal. Jeff Stoddard was able to get the next hitter to strike out, before a sacrifice fly got Connecticut on the board. The next three Huskies each came through with two out hits to extend the inning. McDowell provided the big blow, homering after the sacrifice fly to plate two and give UConn the 3-0 advantage. Following a single, Daniello then delivered the fourth run with his triple to right center. The scoring was complete after he scored on a wild pitch during the next at bat.

SHU returns to New York on Friday for the first of four games at Fordham. The first game will be a 3 pm first pitch on Friday against the Rams. After playing Fordham again the following day at 11 am, the Pioneers will then face off against Delaware at 3 pm Saturday and 11 am Sunday.