#9 UConn v. Butler Bulldogs @Elliot Ballpark (Friday 5/12/23 @6:05p, Saturday 5/13/23 @2:05p & Sunday 5/14/23 @Noon). All games on UConn+/Mixlr

[ATLDYKA]

Butler's pitching has been brutal today. Don't even feel like they need to swing the bat to score, their pitchers aren't close to strike zone.

 

[ATLDYKA]

True, but I think some of it is boredom. It's hard to get up for an 11-40 team that treats every game vs. you like it's game 7 of the world series. BC had similar issues with Villanova yesterday.

SP remains an issue (apart from Quigley) that we need to address.

I can buy that argument for Friday's game, but after that close call there's no more excuses to take them lightly and not be ready to play. I think they are just pressing too much.

 

[CL82]

Uncharacteristic base running errors today.

 

[ATLDYKA]

3rd inning, why are we bunting. Lots of runs being scored. Why are we playing for 1 and giving them an out. And now we get picked off. Geez! I feel like even the coaches are playing tight. Go for big inning against this pitching.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom of the 2nd starts off with 2 walks to our 8 and 9 hitters. This game is really dragging. Now Daniels gets hits. Bases loaded, no outs for Freeberger.

Freeberger single drives in 1. 4-3 Butler. Huber hits a ball that hung up forever, but Butler's lack of team speed prevents them from getting there in time, tying the game (Daniels was thrown out amidst the chaos). 2nd and 3rd, 1 out, Studley up. No further damage for UConn as we go to the 3rd inning tied 4-4.

Daniel's was about half way to home plate, and then stopped to try to go back to 3B. Problem for him was that a baserunner was already at 3B, so he had to turn around and try to score. I think Daniels may have heard Penders telling the runner who was coming into 3B to stop, and thought that direction was for him.

 

[uconnbaseball]

UConn failed to score in the bottom of the 3rd inning after another baserunning error.

Kirby gives up a leadoff single. After a groundout, Butler singles but the runner is thrown out trying to advance to 2nd. Runner on 3rd, 2 outs. Solid enough outing for Kirby, who is now coming out.

 

[huskymedic]

They're pressing. Heard all the same chatter about "absolutely must not lose a game to Butler"

I think they are just pressing too much.

They’ve gone 12-1 since they got their butts kicked by Northeastern (the only loss in that stretch was the Sunday loss to Georgetown).

Bound to have one of those shaky focus days… frustrating for us and sure it doesn’t sit well w/ staff w/ the timing (I’m sure Penders will blame himself).

 

[zls44]

They’ve gone 12-1 since they got their butts kicked by Northeastern (the only loss in that stretch was the Sunday loss to Georgetown).

Bound to have one of those shaky focus days… frustrating for us and sure it doesn’t sit well w/ staff w/ timing.

One of? It happened every game this series.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Home run makes it 7-4 Butler. That was not a bad pitch by Afthim, just a great swing.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Offense gets the first two runners on. This will be another back and forth game.

Huber hits an rbi groundout. 7-5 Butler

 

[zls44]

Jim is obviously a great coach, but the obsession with bunting and needless baserunning blunders is a constant issue every year.

 

[Hookknows]

Need to be patient I understand aggressive base-running…

 

[uconnbaseball]

Based loaded for UConn, 2 outs. Pitching change.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Jim is obviously a great coach, but the obsession with bunting and needless baserunning blunders is a constant issue every year.

I agree with bunting, but the baserunning has generally been much improved this year. (We all remember how bad it was in the mid 2010’s, lol)

 

[uconnbaseball]

UConn gets one more. Top of the 5th, 7-6 Butler. UConn has stranded a lot of runners.

 

[ATLDYKA]

I have no problem with bunting when the situation calls for it, but come on, in a 4-4 game in the 3rd inning in a game you know there are going to be tons of runs makes absolutely no sense.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Nice clutch hit there by Studley.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Studley nabs a 2 rbi single to give UConn an 8-7 lead!

 

[huskymedic]

Nice clutch hit there by Studley.

 

[Hookknows]

Nice double from Morton and good single for Studley. 8-7

 

[dbmill]

I agree with bunting, but the baserunning has generally been much improved this year. (We all remember how bad it was in the mid 2010’s, lol)

Agree about the baserunning, generally much better this season.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Both teams do nothing in the 6th. Still 8-7 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Nowak records the first out of the 7th, then is replaced (not sure who is coming on). Nice outing from Nowak.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Nowak was pitching well and throwing strikes, would like to see him be able to finish out inning and not have Sullivan come in mid inning. When you have a guy pitching confident and throwing strikes and getting outs why take him out?

 

[CtBaseball]

Nowak was pitching well and throwing strikes, would like to see him be able to finish out inning and not have Sullivan come in mid inning. When you have a guy pitching confident and throwing strikes and getting outs why take him out?

Sully was nails in the bullpen last year. Imagine they thought they could get some of that magic back.