UConn stuns No. 1 Louisville and reaches Big East semis

Anthony Marzi allowed just four hits and one unearned run in a near-complete-game effort and second baseman LJ Mazzilli went 3-for-4 to send fifth-seeded UConn into the semifinals of the Big East baseball tournament with a 4-1 win over No. 1 Louisville on Friday in Clearwater, Fla.

The Huskies, who have earned a semifinal berth for the third straight season, will face No. 4 South Florida today at 1 p.m.

The Bulls eliminated No. 1 Louisville 6-2 in Friday night's final game and must beat the Huskies twice today to reach the final.

Marzi, who entered the game with a 2-8 record despite a 2.80 earned run average, worked 8.2 innings, turned in five 1-2-3 innings, and retired 13 men in a row between the fifth and ninth innings. He struck out five and walked two before yielding to closer Scott Oberg, who got the final out for his ninth save of the year.

Old Lyme's Ryan Fuller and Tom Verdi had RBI singles in the third to give UConn a 2-0 lead off Big East pitcher of the Year Justin Amlung.

Mazzilli doubled and scored on a double steal in the fifth and Verdi scored later in the inning on Eric Yavarone's RBI single.

- Day Staff Reports