GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Ben Huber hit a clutch home run, UConn allowed one run over the final four innings, and the Huskies defeated Florida A&M 9-6 on Saturday in an elimination game at the Gainesville Regional.
Connecticut led 5-4 heading to the eighth inning, then scored three runs on a sacrifice fly and Huber’s two-run home run. The Huskies added a run in the ninth on a sacrifice bunt by Korey Morton. David Smith had two hits and drove in two runs.
Devin Kirby (7-1) pitched four innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits. Justin Willis pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 12th save.
Solo home runs by Ty Hanchey, Jared Weber, Janmikell Bastardo and Joseph Pierini kept FAMU (29-30) close, but the Rattlers managed only four other hits.
Zach Morea (4-4) was the losing pitcher in relief.
No. 2-seed UConn (44-16) advances to game on Sunday against the loser of Saturday’s later game between top-seeded regional host Florida and No. 3-seed Texas Tech.
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