Feb. 24, 2007

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - University of Connecticut starting pitcher, junior Mike Tarsi, allowed just one run and scattered seven hits over eight innings on the rubber as the Huskies recorded 13 hits to down Western Carolina and even the first-ever series between the two at one apiece with an 8-1 win Saturday afternoon at Childress Field. The two teams will complete the three-game set on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm.

UConn (1-1, 0-0) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Matt Untiet's two-run double down the left field line to score Pat Mahoney and Larry Day. The Huskies added two more runs in the top of the third to expand their lead to 4-0. Second baseman Dale Brannon led off the frame with a single to right field and was driven home by the next batter as a Day lifted a two-run home-run to left center field.

The Huskies connected on another two-run homer in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 6-0. Dennis Donovan opened the inning with a single to center field against Western reliever, Tyler Johnson. The Lynnwood, Wash., senior retired the next two batters before giving up his second hit of the afternoon to Matt Karl marking his first home run of the year.

Western Carolina (3-2) pushed across its only run of the game in the bottom of the eighth when second baseman Kenny Smith led off with a home run to left field. The senior transfer's long ball was his third in two games against UConn, raising his team-leading RBI total to 10. The Catamounts were able to put two on with one out as Jason Haynes laid down a bunt single and was advanced by Barrett Shaft who singled to left. However, a pop-up to second and a force out at third ended WCU's rally chances.

In the ninth, the Huskies added two more insurance runs off WCU reliever Daniel Ottone, providing the final margin, 8-1.

Western Carolina starting pitcher Brock Thornburg (1-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing four runs on seven hits in three innings of mound duty. Relievers Johnson and Ottone each gave up two runs apiece and combined for five strikeouts with Ottone tallying three.

Western had eight base hits on the day, but bounced into three double-plays while also having two runners picked-off base. Smith finished the day 2-for-4, while Barrett Shaft went 2-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt for the Catamounts. Junior Jonathan Greene went 1-for-4 in the loss to extend his team-best hitting streak to 18 games. The Boone, N.C., native also showed his arm strength early in the game by gunning out a runner at home plate from left field, not his normal starting position.

Western Carolina and Connecticut meet again Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm at Childress Field at Hennon Stadium for the rubber game of the series. Fans can follow all of the online at CatamountSports.com with Live GameTracker, presented by Carolina West Sports Medicine and the West Care Health System.