On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the UConn baseball team put an exclamation point on a dominant weekend, completing a three-game sweep of Seton Hall with a decisive 7-3 victory. The Huskies, now 30-22 overall and 13-5 in Big East play, showed the kind of grit and firepower that makes them a dangerous opponent down the stretch.
The hero of the day was designated hitter Chris Polemeni, who delivered a performance worthy of highlight reels. With the bases loaded in the third inning, Polemeni crushed a grand slam over the left-field wall, turning a slim deficit into a commanding 5-1 lead. He finished 2-for-5 at the plate with five RBIs—a stat line that any player would envy. It was the second straight series finale where the Huskies secured the game-winning run on a grand slam, proving that big moments bring out their best.
Polemeni wasn't alone in the offensive onslaught. Four other Huskies recorded multiple hits, creating a lineup that kept Seton Hall's pitchers on edge all day. Center fielder Maddix Dalena got things started early, driving in Anthony Belisario with a base hit in the first inning after Belisario led off with a single, advanced on a groundout, and swiped third base. Meanwhile, Jackson Marshall extended his on-base streak to an incredible 41 games, reaching base five times on the day with a walk and a hit.
On the mound, left-hander Oliver Pudvar was in control. He tossed six solid innings, allowing just two runs while striking out five. After Seton Hall briefly took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run single from Nick Tomasetto—who went 6-for-11 in the series—Pudvar settled in and kept the Pirates off balance the rest of the way. His five-run cushion after the third inning was all the support he needed.
The Huskies added insurance in the fourth inning. Polemeni picked up another RBI on a single to score Marshall, and Nater Wachter contributed a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 7-2. The Pirates managed one more run, but the outcome was never in doubt.
For UConn, this sweep is a statement. At 13-5 in conference play, they're proving they have the depth, the pitching, and the clutch hitting to compete for a Big East title. And for fans of the game, there's nothing quite like the energy of a team that knows how to finish strong.