#16 Connecticut Downs #12 Tigers 14-1 Monday to Capture Clemson Regional Title

June 6, 2011

Clemson, SC –

The #16 Connecticut Huskies totaled 17 hits in their 14-1 win over #12 Clemson in front of 4,838 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Monday night to capture the Clemson Regional title. The Huskies, who were 4-1 in the Clemson Regional and advanced to play in the Columbia (SC) Super Regional next weekend, improved to 45-18-1 on the season. The Tigers’ season ended with a 43-20 record.

The Huskies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never relinquished the lead. Connecticut added five runs in the fifth inning and six runs in the eighth inning for a total of 14 runs, the most allowed by Clemson in 2011.

Senior lefthander Greg Nappo (10-2), who received Clemson Regional MVP honors, earned the win by tossing 5.2 strong innings in a starting role. He allowed five hits, one run, and three walks with four strikeouts. Dan Feehan recorded his first save of the year by pitching 3.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball.

Clemson starter Kevin Pohle (5-2) suffered the loss. He gave up three runs on five hits in 0.1 innings pitched.

The Huskies wasted little time taking the game’s first lead in the first inning. L.J. Mazzilli led off with a single to left-center and John Andreoli reached on a bunt single. George Springer followed with a single up the middle to score Mazzilli as Andreoli advanced to third and Springer took second on the throw. After Mike Nemeth grounded out to first, Ryan Fuller lofted a one-out single to right field on a 1-2 pitch to score Andreoli. Nick Ahmed reached on an infield single to short to plate Springer.

In the second inning, Richie Shaffer lined a one-out, solo homer to left field, his 13th long ball of the season.

Billy Ferriter led off the fifth inning with a triple to right field and scored on Mazzilli’s single off the left-field fence. Andreoli’s sacrifice bunt advanced Mazzilli to second base, then Springer, who minutes earlier was selected #11 overall in the first round of the Major League draft by the Houston Astros, reached and Mazzilli advanced to third on a fielding error by shortstop Brad Miller on a hard-hit ball. Nemeth followed with a line-drive single to right field to score Mazzilli, then Fuller belted a double to left-center to score Springer. Ahmed reached on another fielding error by Miller as Nemeth scored. Two batters later, Tim Martin lined a two-out single to right field to score Fuller.

In the eighth inning, Martin lined a one-out single to right field and Ferriter followed with a single through the right side. The runners moved up a base on the play on Chris Epps’ error in right field. After Mazzilli’s walk loaded the bases, Andreoli laced a single to right-center to score Martin and Ferriter. Ryan Moore then lined a single to right field to score Mazzilli. Two batters later with two outs, Fuller belted a three-run homer to left-center, his sixth long ball of the year.

Nine different Huskies contributed to their 17-hit total. Fuller was 3-for-5 with a homer, double, five RBIs, and two runs. Martin and Ferriter added three hits apiece, while Mazzilli scored a game-high three runs.

Shaffer’s home run provided Clemson’s lone run, while he also walked twice. The Tigers put 10 batters on base, but they stranded eight.

Three Tigers made the Clemson Regional All-Tournament team, John Hinson (3B), Will Lamb (OF), and Phil Pohl (DH).

2011 Clemson Regional All-Tournament Team C – Derick Horn, Sacred Heart 1B – Mike Nemeth, Connecticut 2B – Tommy La Stella, Coastal Carolina SS – Nick Ahmed*, Connecticut 3B – John Hinson, Clemson OF – Hayes Orton*, Coastal Carolina OF – Will Lamb*, Clemson OF – John Andreoli, Connecticut DH – Phil Pohl, Clemson P – Greg Nappo*, Connecticut P – Anthony Meo, Coastal Carolina

MVP – Greg Nappo, Connecticut

* – unanimous selection