MASON, Ohio - For the second consecutive season the top-seeded Connecticut Huskies captured the BIG EAST Baseball Championship presented by Jeep title, topping Xavier University, 7-2, Sunday afternoon at Prasco Park.

The Huskies offense took charge early in the game, as Matt Donlan earned a two RBI single in the bottom of the first to gain an early 2-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the second with T.C. Simmons on base, Bryan Padilla got out of his tournament slump with a rocket over the left center field wall to give the Huskies a 4-0 lead. Moments later, Erik Stock earned his first hit of the Championship to send Zach Bushling home for the 5-0 advantage.

Looking to mount a comeback with Jack Housinger on base, Luke Franzoni stepped up to the plate and hammered his fifth home run of the Championship to pull the Musketeers back within three, 5-2.

Stepping up to the mound following Franzoni's at bat, Garrett Coe pitched four scoreless innings and allowed just one hit to earn his second win of the season.

Following the conclusion of the game, the Jack Kaiser Most Outstanding Player trophy was awarded to Franzoni after a record-setting weekend in Mason, Ohio. The senior first baseman set BIG EAST Championship records with five home runs in four games, a pair of grand slams, 16 RBI and seven runs.

With the win, UConn has earned the BIG EAST Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. The selection show will air live Monday at Noon ET on ESPN2.

BIG EAST All-Tournament Team
Austin Peterson, UConn, Jr., P
Pat Gallagher, UConn, So., P
Casey Dana, UConn, Grad., OF
Alan Roden, Creighton, So., OF
Andrew Walker, Xavier, Sr., OF
Ben Huber, UConn, Grad., IF
Andrew Ciufo, Georgetown, Jr., IF
Luke Franzoni, Xavier, Sr., IF
Jack Housinger, Xavier, Sr., IF
Jerry Huntzinger, Xavier, Grad, C
Korey Morton, UConn, So., DH

Jack Kaiser Most Outstanding Player
Luke Franzoni, Xavier, Sr., 1B