FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Contact: Paul Sweeney
Phone: 617/627-3586

DONOVAN'S DOUBLE LEADS UNIVERSITY DIVISION TO ALL-STAR WIN

BOSTON – University of Connecticut junior shortstop Dennis Donovan (Center Moriches, NY), a last-minute alternate invited to play in the 2006 New England College Baseball All-Star Game at Fenway Park, emerged as the game's hero with a two-run, walk-off double that lifted the University Division to a 2-1 victory over the College Division on Sunday night.

Donovan's double was a rare offensive highlight during a pitcher's duel that featured 10 total hits, including just three by the College Division team. Six University Division pitchers struck out nine College batters and didn't walk anyone to go with the three hits allowed. UConn senior Tim Norton (Pascoag, RI) started the game and pitched a hitless two innings with two Ks. Boston College junior Kevin Boggan (Lexington, MA) went two innings allowing one hit and striking out three. University of Rhode Island sophomore Jamie Degidio (Narragansett, RI) got the win after throwing a 1-2-3 top of the ninth. UConn senior Nick Tucci (Medford, MA) and Brown University senior Shaun McNamara (Worcester, MA) both hurled 1-2-3 innings with two strikeouts apiece.

However, it looked as though the College Division's lone run in the top of the fifth would stand up. Bowdoin senior DH Ricky Leclerc (Manchester, NH) was credited with a two-out double on a bouncer to third that took a funny hop into left field. He came around to score on a solid single by New Haven catcher Michael Moras (Orange, CT).

The College Division pitchers held that lead until the ninth. Stonehill senior Billy Sittig (West Roxbury, MA), New Haven senior Ed Sempey (Clinton, CT), Tufts senior Zak Smotherman (Westborough, MA), Amherst senior Joe Vladeck (Washington, DC) and UMass Lowell junior Pat Donovan (Lowell, MA) all hurled 1-2-3 innings.

The University Division wasted no time winning in the bottom of the ninth off Southern Connecticut sophomore pitcher Justin Cox (Newburgh, NY). UConn junior Larry Day (Amesbury, MA) led off with a single to left-center. He moved to third on a double to deep right field by Brown catcher Devin Thomas (Gainesville, FL). Donovan then split the gap in left center for a double and the win.

The victory in the 32^nd Annual New England College Baseball All-Star Game gives the University Division a 21-9-1 record in the all-time series. The 1981 game was played East vs. West. Donovan was named University Division MVP and Moras was the College Division MVP.