STORRS, Conn. - The UConn baseball team (16-17, 4-4 BIG EAST) swept a doubleheader against the Georgetown Hoyas (12-22, 1-4 BIG EAST) on a dreary day at Elliot Ballpark. 

On a tough day to hit with cold temperatures, the aces of both staff took advantage in game one of the twin bill.

Oliver Pudvar limited the Hoyas to two runs in 6.0 innings of work and retired 11 of the last 12 Hoyas that he faced. With Georgetown leading 2-1 in the top of the third and the bases loaded and one out, Pudvar got a strikeout and foul out to keep the Huskies within a run.

Tyler Minick hit his 10th home run of the season in the second inning to get UConn on the scoreboard.

Down a run in the seventh, grad student Sam Biller drilled a solo shot off the scoreboard in right center to tie the game at 2-2.

RHP Sean Finn was excellent out of the bullpen, retiring all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings. 

In the bottom of the eighth, the Huskies capitalized on five walks in the frame to take a 4-2 lead. Beau Root walked with the bases loaded to give UConn a 3-2 lead and Biller added an insurance run with an RBI ground out.

Brady Afthim closed the deal with his sixth save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning. 

In game two, the Huskies received big pitching performances from RHP Tommy Ellisen and RHP Ian Cooke.

Ellisen pitched 5.2 innings and struck out a career-high seven batters to earn his second win of the year. Cooke earned his second save of the season with 3.1 innings out of the UConn bullpen with seven of his 10 outs via the strikeout. 

UConn trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, but the UConn bats erupted for five runs on five hits. After singles from Ryan Daniels and Aidan Dougherty, Sam Biller was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Captain Bryan Padilla delivered a two-run single to give UConn the lead, 2-1.

Grant MacArthur followed with an RBI double and Connor Lane capped the frame with a two-run singe. 

The Huskies were able to keep adding on to create cushion for the pitching staff. Biiller laid down an RBI bunt single in the fifth and Caleb Shpur collected a two-out, two-run double in the sixth to make it a 7-3 ballgame.

UConn scored three times in the eighth inning to put the game away and secure the doubleheader sweep.

The Huskies and Hoyas will wrap up the series on Sunday, April 13 at 12:05 p.m.

Game Notes

• Brady Afthim locked down his sixth save of the year and the 14th of his career. The RHP is tied for 8th all-time with John Russell with the 14 saves. 
• With his seven strikeouts, Ian Cooke has 238 strikeouts in his UConn career. That ranks 6th all-time.
• With his three hits in the doubleheader, Bryan Padilla has 203 career hits, tied for 20th all-time with Brian Packin.
• The Huskies have won all 19 series that they have played at Elliot Ballpark (Opened in 2021).