PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. - The UConn baseball team (28-18, 12-4 BIG EAST) rallied for 17 runs in the final three innings to beat Villanova (20-22, 4-9 BIG EAST), 19-7, on a steamy Friday afternoon at Villanova Ballpark. 

Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh inning, UConn right fielder Beau Root faced an 0-2 count with two outs and a runner at third against Wildcat's closer Alec Sachais. After spoiling a few two strike pitches, Root smashed a go-ahead, two-run homer to right field to give UConn its first lead of the day, 4-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Huskies brought in their closer Brady Afthim with a runner on and two outs. The Windham, Maine native induced a pair of fly outs on four pitches to keep the Huskies ahead.

The UConn offense proceeded to send 15 batters to the plate and tie a season-high with 10 runs scored in the eighth inning. Ryan Daniels hit a two-run home run start the scoring in the frame and give UConn a 6-3 lead. Two batters later, Sam Biller hit his third home run of the game, to make it an 8-3 lead. 

Biller added two more runs on a two-run single in the frame. The UConn left fielder is the first Husky this season to hit three home runs in a game and finished the day with six runs batted in.

UConn hit a season-high six home runs in the victory, it is the first time since Maddix Dalena's three homer game vs. St. John's on April 12, 2024 that UConn has hit five home runs or more in a contest.

Oliver Pudvar made the start for the Huskies and pitched 5.2 innings with two earned runs allowed and four strikeouts. 

UConn resumes the series tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at Villanova Ballpark.

Game Notes

• The UConn offense has scored double digit runs in eight-straight games. The Huskies have totaled 114 runs (14.25 runs per game).
• Sam Biller has 22 RBI in his last eight games with seven home runs.
• UConn has won 15 of its last 16 games.
• Eight of the Huskies 13 hits went for extra bases.