University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
2012 Baseball Roster
Roster
Brian Connolly
- Position:
- Right-Handed Pitcher
- Height:
- 6-5
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Thomasville, N.C.
Overview: Senior right-hander who has done a solid job as a starter and in the bullpen during his career…should be one of the leaders on the mound for the Bulldogs in 2014…brother Erik is a sophomore outfielder.
2013: Went 2-4 with a 7.17 ERA…had four starts and 13 relief appearances…earned win in first start of season against NCAA Tournament squad Canisius (2-24) as he pitched five innings and allowed just one run on four hits with four strikeouts…picked up second win in relief with 2.1 innings of work in 5-4 victory…had 18 strikeouts in 42.2 innings of work.
2012: Versatile member of staff with eight starts and 10 relief appearances ... Tied for team lead in wins with 5-5 record and was second with two saves...Posted third-best ERA (4.62) among starters ...Third in innings pitched (60.1)...Second in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4:1; 28 SO, 7 BB)...Earned wins in first two appearances, in relief vs. N.C. Central (2/17) and in start vs. Saint Peter's (2/26) ... That start stood as best outing of season (6 innings, two earned runs)...Also allowed two ER in starts vs. VMI (3/17) and Wofford (3/28)...Struck out season-high five at Southern Conference power College of Charleston (5/13)...Recorded saves vs. Presbyterian College (3/31) and Liberty (4/21).
2011: Pitched in 12 games and earned two starts...first career start was a gem as he tossed six shutout innings at Wofford (4-13)...allowed just four hits with two strikeouts as he earned the victory...struck out 13 hitters in 22.1 innings of work...pitched a scoreless inning vs. Big South champion Coastal Carolina (3-25)...had two strikeouts in one inning of work at Charleston Southern (4-2)...threw scoreless inning at VMI (5-14).
Before UNC Asheville: Two-way player at Leford head coach Kemp Smith...went 5-3 with 3.10 ERA as a senior on the hill...hit .330 with five home runs and 18 doubles senior season...earned All-Conference and All-County honors as a junior and senior...named Most Valuable Offensive Player as a junior when he hit .391 with three home runs and 20 doubles...finished 3-3 with 2.90 ERA junior season...helped lead Ledford to berths in the state playoffs as a sophomore, junior and senior...also played football at Ledford.
