WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary baseball team dropped a mid-week game 12-1 to Connecticut on Wednesday night at Plumeri Park. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 10-6, while the Huskies improve to 11-7 overall.
W&M was limited to just three hits in the contest. Junior Josh Smith drove in the Tribe's run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Connecticut scored the game's first run in the top of the second inning. Max McDowell led off the frame with a walk, moving to third on a single from Bryan Daniello. The next batter, Joe DeRoche-Duffin reached on a fielder's choice, scoring McDowell.
The Huskies exploded for seven runs in the top of the sixth inning, extending their lead to 8-0. McDowell led off the inning with an infield single, moving the second when Daniello followed with a single up the middle. DeRoche-Duffin then was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. Jon Testani followed by reaching on an error, he was credited with one RBI, but two runs scored. After a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third, Jack Sundberg doubled down the left field line, clearing the bases. A Vinny Siena single and Bobby Melley walk, reloaded the bases, before Blake Davey doubled into right field, scoring two more Huskies' runs. The final run of the frame came on a sacrifice fly from McDowell, extending the advantage to 8-0.
W&M scratched across its lone run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Smith was hit by a pitch, earning the RBI. The run cut the UConn lead to 8-1.
The Huskies responded with a run in the top of the eighth inning. Sundberg led of the frame with a double, before he stole third with one out. Melley followed with a single through the right side, scoring the first run of the inning. Davey, followed, with a double, putting runners on second and third, before Garabedian hit a sacrifice fly, giving the Huskies a 10-1 advantage.
UConn continued its strong offensive day with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning. With Testani on first, Yahn blasted a home run to left field. The two runs, gave the Huskies a 12-1 lead.
The Tribe tried to mount a rally and the bottom of the ninth inning, but Patrick Ruotolo got out of the jam for the Huskies, ending the game.
Junior Aaron Fernandez made the start for the Tribe and was saddled with his first loss of the season. He tossed five innings, allowing three runs.
The College hits the road for four-straight games starting with a three-game series at 2014 Super Regional participant Kennesaw State. The series lid-lifter is set for Friday, March 20. First pitch will be at 6 p.m.
