Jeff Hourigan, a native of Beacon Falls, Conn., begins his fifth season as an assistant coach at the University of New Haven. His primarily responsibilities include coaching the pitching staff.
Last season, Hourigan’s staff posted its best earned run average of his stint, ranking second in the nation with an average of 2.90. In 400 innings of work, the staff allowed less than a hit per inning and held opposing batters to a .240 batter average. Furthermore, relief pitcher Mitch Rossi was selected to the All-American, All-Region and All-Conference teams, while freshman pitcher Taylor Candage earned a trip to the All-Conference Rookie Team.
In 2009, Hourigan’s pitching staff ranked fifth in the Northeast-10 Conference and 21st in all of NCAA Division II with a sub-four ERA of 3.95. The Chargers threw 292 strikeouts, while starting right-hander Chris Smith was named to the All-NE-10 Second Team.
One year prior, the pitching staff boasted a 4.72 ERA and threw 280 strikeouts. In 2007, New Haven held a combined ERA of 4.46, while striking out 320 batters.
Hourigan was a standout player for two seasons at the University of Connecticut after transferring from Clemson University. He was a versatile player, taking the field as both a pitcher and a first baseman.
In his senior year, Hourigan led the Huskies with a .622 slugging percentage, and ranked second in batting average at .348. He set a new career high with nine home runs and tied for the team lead with 18 doubles and 44 RBI. Hourigan was also the lone senior on the pitching staff and finished 2005 with a 5-2 record and one save in 13 appearances. In 57.1 innings, he struck out 48 while walking just 11.
In his junior season, he hit .320 and ranked third on the team with 56 hits. He led the Huskies in home runs with eight and also hit eight doubles. On the mound he started 13 games with 15 overall appearances, pitched 79.0 innings, and threw a team-high seven complete games.
In his sophomore season at Clemson, Hourigan hit .266 with two homers and 25 RBIs in 49 games and in his freshman year hit .275 with six homers, nine doubles, and 22 RBIs in 46 games. He was named an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
At Masuk High School, he was a Rawlings All-American and the Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year in his senior season. He was also a three time All-State selection.
