It hasn’t been the easiest transition from junior college baseball to Division I for Mike Chiovitti, but he had some good moments for UConn while playing in the American Athletic Championship Tournament.
The Huskies were blown out by Cincinnati in the AAC championship game on Sunday, 22-5. Chivotti, a former Holy Cross and UConn-Avery Point standout, drove in one of those five UConn runs with an RBI double in the bottom of the second inning. His hit tied the game at 1-1. Chiovitti also walked in the game.
In the semifinal on Saturday against Wichita State, Chiovitti smacked a two-run double down the right field line in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at 2-2. Chiovitti later scored in the inning, and UConn put five runs on the board during the frame. The Huskies won 8-3 to advance to the championship game.
On Thursday, UConn beat Wichita State 9-7, and Chiovitti was involved in a wild double play defensively for the Huskies. UConn led 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Wichita State had a rally going. A Shocker batter bunted on a safety squeeze, but pitcher CJ Dandeneau pounced on the ball and threw to third baseman David Langer. Langer chased a Wichita State runner toward the plate and threw to first baseman Chris Winkel for the tag and the first out.
The play wasn’t over, and this was where Chiovitti got involved. Two Shocker runners were at second base after a baserunning blunder. Winkel ran toward second base, and then threw to Chiovitti, the center fielder, who was covering second. Chiovitti put on the tag to complete the double play, and the inning was over.
UConn may have lost the AAC championship game, but it will still play in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies find out where they play on Monday at noon on ESPNU.
Cover photo: Mike Chiovitti, seen here playing for the Bethlehem Plowboys of the Connecticut Tri-State Baseball League, helped UConn reach the AAC championship game. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)