UConn-Avery Point takes a pair from MCC, 8-5 and 3-1

MANCHESTER – (April 11, 2009) UConn-Avery Point swept a double-header from Manchester Community College Friday afternoon, 8-5 and 3-1. A.J. Lowers (Newington) threw out three would-be base stealers and tagged out another trying to score in the first game.

Lowers also had a single in the first game and a double in the second. Dave Alexander (Torrington) hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning of game one to cut UConn’s lead to 5-4 before Vin Sommo (Clinton) scored Manchester’s fifth run, forcing the scheduled seven-inning game into an extra frame. UConn-AP (16-5) scored three times in the top of the eighth to win it.

Alexander’s homer was his team leading fourth of the season and traveled approximately 420 feet to right center.

“They are good,” MCC Head Coach Chris Strahowski said of the Pointers. “They played real well, played clean. They play excellent defense all the time so they are always in every game.”

In game two, UCAP scored twice in the first inning as Eric Fenlasan improved to 4-0 with a complete game victory. Fenlasan allowed just three hits and one run – an rbi fielder’s choice by Alexander in the fourth – and struck out six, including the side in the second. Dan Nelson (Glastonbury) also pitched a complete game in the loss and drops to 2-2. Nelson struck out three and pitched four-hit shutout baseball over the final five innings.

“He gave up two earned runs in the first and that was it the rest of the way,” Strahowski said of Nelson, who picked off his third runner of the season in the second inning. “We should do better for him. He only got one run for support the last time out, so he’s pitching on a tight rope.” Nelson last start was a 1-0 complete game victory over Northern Essex last Saturday.

MCC (11-10-1) travels to Roxbury, MA for a pair of Region XXI on Saturday (April 12) and are scheduled to play nine straight on the road before hosting Holyoke CC on April 22.

Game 1

at MCC

UConn_Avery Point 8 Manchester Community College 5

UCAP 002 000 33 —– 5 10 1

Manchester CC 000 000 23 —– 8 8 3

UC: Mike Johnston, Jason Tsangarides (7) and Josh Valdez, Kyle Wilson (2) M: Mike Quagliaroli, Tyler Wenz (7), Ryan Carroll (8) and A.J. Lowers WP: Tsangarides (3-0) LP: Wenz (1-4); HR: Alexander (4); Records: UC: 15-5, M: 11-9-1

Game 2

UConn_Avery Point 3 Manchester Community College 1

UCAP 210 000 0 —– 3 10 0

Manchester CC 000 400 0 —– 1 3 1

UC: Eric Fenalson and Kyle Wilson M: Dan Nelson and James McGowan WP: Fenalson (4-0) LP: Nelson (2-2); Records: UC: 16-5, M: 11-10-1