GREENSBORO, NC With six runs in the first inning alone, the UNC Greensboro Spartans broke away and ran as they defeated the University of Connecticut Huskies, 18-1, on Friday evening at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
UNCG (3-1) started off the game going three and out before making a full lineup appearance at the plate. Despite the six-run tally, the blue and gold hardly swung a bat as Bob Van Woert and Trent DeLazzer of UCONN (0-4) threw a combined three walks, two wild pitches, and one hit batter. Seniors Tim Carrier, Sean Snell, and Adam Deleo each tallied a single in the first.
Both teams were held scoreless in the second, but the Spartans went 1-2-3 to top the third before putting up four more runs.
Snell started the inning with a double down the left line and was quickly brought in by a right center triple from the first baseman Corey Overholtzer. Deleo singled up the middle to bring Overholtzer in from third. Carrier singled through the right side to bring around Deleo and third baseman Ray Quinones who had just sent a two-bagger to left field.
The fourth inning read much like the third as the Huskies went three up, three down. After the third pitching change of an eventual five for UCONN, the Spartans rallied once again to bring in three runs and take an authoritative 13-0 lead.
Overholtzer tallied one RBI with a double to left center and Deleo added the remaining two with a hard-hit single up the middle.
The score remained at 13-0 until the Spartans tacked on four more in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Freshman Brent O'Berry notched his first collegiate RBI with a left field single to bring around fellow freshman Drew Gehringer. Overholtzer was given a four-pitch walk to put two on the bags. With runners at first and second, Deleo cranked in his fourth and fifth RBI of the game with a triple-shot to right center. Carrier brought in the inning's final run with a right field single.
The Huskies tallied their only run of the game late in the eighth inning, but the Spartans answered right back as Gehringer sent a long solo over the outfield fence. This marked his first collegiate homerun.
UNCG ended their time on the field much as it began as they outted the Huskies, 1-2-3.
The Spartans were led at the plate by Adam Deleo who went 4-for-5 with six RBI, two runs, and a triple. Tim Carrier was also 4-for-5 with an added three RBI and one run. Harold Brantly, Jr., Mike Olt, Brad Olt, and Peter Fatse each tallied a hit for the Huskies.
Senior Matt Gibbs (2-0) earned his second win on the season. In his six innings on the mound, he retired six batters and gave up just two hits and one walk. Freshman Alex Shelton (0-0) held onto the win for UNCG as he struck out four and walked just two. UCONN's Van Woert (0-2) took the loss.
The Spartans are back on Saturday for game two against the Huskies. First pitch is set for 1pm at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
For news about UNCG baseball, complete season schedule, and any other information regarding Spartan athletics log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.
# # UNCG # #
Score by innings R H E
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Univ. of Connecticut 000 000 010 - 1 4 1
UNC Greensboro 604 300 41x - 18 17 1
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Pitchers: UCONN Van Woert; DeLazzer (1); Mikalsen (4); Catapano (5); Musson (8)
Pitchers: UNCG Gibbs; Shelton (7)
Win Matt Gibbs (2-0)
Loss Bob Van Woert (0-2)
