Rutgers series

[dbmill]

Pitching duel going at Rutgers. Carson Cross is back to his old self, allowing just one run through seven innings. UConn just scored their first two runs of the game in the top of the 8th, chasing the Rutgers starter. UConn up 2-1.

 

[dbmill]

Feehan comes in to get the final out of the 8th inning. UConn leads 3-1.

 

[dbmill]

It doesn't seem to be UConn game without a late inning adventure. Feehan gets the first out of the 9th, then Mahaney comes in for a lefty-lefty matchup. A walk and an infield single later, Mahaney comes out and Butler comes in to get the final two outs of the game, UConn wins 3-1.

 

[huskymedic]

Game Notes:
- UConn snapped a six-game BIG EAST losing streak, its longest since 2004.
- The Huskies came back from a seventh-inning deficit for the first time in 15 chances this season.
- LJ Mazzilli is batting .469 (30-for-64) over the last 15 games.
- Dan Feehan passed David Erickson (2005-09) for most appearances all-time at 88.
- UConn trails the all-time series with Rutgers, 32-28.
- The Huskies are 16-11 on the road this season.
- UConn is 10-4 in Carson Cross’ 14 career starts.
- The two stolen bases in the game gave UConn 101 for the season, marking the fifth time in program history in triple figures.

Mazzilli's on fire batting...

 

[BBall2012]

It doesn't seem to be UConn game without a late inning adventure. Feehan gets the first out of the 9th, then Mahaney comes in for a lefty-lefty matchup. A walk and an infield single later, Mahaney comes out and Butler comes in to get the final two outs of the game, UConn wins 3-1.

That was a perfect example of over thinking and trying to play match up. This isn't the major leagues. Feehan had their number as in the outing last Tuesday but Pender's goes to Mahooney and it almost back fires. As it almost did last Tuesday, WHen he falls in love with someone that is it they can do no wrong.

 

[ATLDYKA]

They really needed that one yesterday. Finally got a break in the 8th when Rutgers 1st baseman made an error which kept the inning alive and then McDowell and Paul came up big. Just still see so many of the same frustrations with this team. They had opportunities earlier in the game just not able to execute a sacrifice then being overly aggressive at the plate and swinging at bad pitches. However, a big win to solidify a big east tourney birth.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Game 2 - Marzi has 3 walks in the first and then pays for it with a bases clearing double. Down 3-0 already. With our offense it's probably over. Just throw strikes already. See what happens when you take a few pitches. Meanwhile in the top of the first Mazzilli grounds into a DP hacking at the first pitch as usual.

 

[Yonick]

We are 7th in the BE. The top 8 teams qualify for the tourney. My guess is we need to take 2 of three in Rutgers. Then, win at least 1 game vs Louisville next week.

 

[dbmill]

Mazzilli drives in two runs with a single in the top of the 4th. UConn still up.

 

[dbmill]

We are 7th in the BE. The top 8 teams qualify for the tourney. My guess is we need to take 2 of three in Rutgers. Then, win at least 1 game vs Louisville next week.

It looks to me that UConn is in decent shape to make the Big East playoffs. Georgetown is in 9th place in the standings, 6 games under .500. UConn is one game under .500, and 2.5 games in front of the Hoyas. UConn won the series against Georgetown, so I would guess they also would have the tie breaker over them. The Hoyas are playing Pitt this weekend, and then face off against Rutgers next week, so they will have a tough time getting to .500 playing those teams. One thing in Georgetown's favor is that they conclude the season against cellar dwelling Villanova, who only have two Big East wins.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Catallina getting shelled here in the 5th in relief. 6-2 Rutgers.

 

[dbmill]

Does anyone know if Ward is hurt? Or is he out due to ineffectiveness? Tabakman starting instead of Ward tomorrow means we will see more of Catalina and Slade. Anyway, UConn leaves the bases loaded in the 6th, but scores two runs in the process. Rutgers up 6-4 in the bottom of the 6th.

 

[dbmill]

Rutgers up 8-4 going into the bottom of the 7th. Big stat for the day is 9 walks by the UConn pitching staff. Ouch! Husky pitching has generally been very good and the strength of the team all season, but it is hard to win when you put that many runners on base.

 

[ATLDYKA]

pitching has been awful today, no control. Moore is once again ineffective. Key spot was top of the 6th we had cut the lead to 6-4 had the bases loaded 1 out and Yavorone stikes out then Daniello hits a liner right to the first baseman. Need to get atleast 1 more there. Doesn't matter however when the pitchers come in and start walking guys. Team is 1-8 on first pitch contact. Still don't get this strategy. You have to make pitchers work at this level.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Game 3 - top of the first, good start as Mazzilli singles in a run to make it 1-0, we have 2nd and 3rd with no outs and we can't get any more in. Siena strikes out, Melley pops out on first pitch swing and McDowell pops out. Another missed opportunity to jump out big early.

 

[dbmill]

Sunday game. UConn scores one run in the top of the first, off an RBI single by Mazzilli, who continues his torrid hitting. After Mazzilli's hit, the next three hitters went down quietly. I'd hate to think what the sputtering UConn offense would look like without LJ.

 

[dbmill]

UConn scores another run in the 2nd inning. Chris Jones just said during the broadcast that the Husky magic number to make the playoffs is three. UConn is currently in 6th place.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Thru 2.5 UConn up 2-0. Just a stat so far, thru 3 at bats UConn is 0-3 on first pitch contact. Someone please tell Penders this philosophy does not work with this team.

 

[ATLDYKA]

The inability to add runs early to the lead and now a complete collapse here in the 6th. 3 hits with 1-2 counts, not able to put guys away. Then Feehan who walks a .150 hitter on 4 pitches then gives up a hit to a .140 hitter and it's now 2-2 bases loaded 1 out and Mahaney coming in.

 

[ATLDYKA]

3-2 Rutgers after 6. The pitching has had some complete meltdowns lately with lack of control. 6 walks on the day. Maybe Penders should think about having his batters take a few pitches.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Top of the 7th. 8 pitch inning for UConn. Now 1-6 on the day on first pitch contact.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Top of the 8th. 7 pitch inning. Now 1-7 on the day first pitch contact. Meanwhile our pitchers have 8 walks. Maybe the ump has a small strike zone. Penders, maybe you should tell your guys to maybe take a few more pitches. Nope, no in game adjustments. Lets always be aggressive at the plate since that seems to be working so well. Gee Wiz already.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Bottom of the 8th. A Walk our 9th of the day. A failed pick off attempt lets runner go to 3rd. Then with 2 outs error on Daniello. 4-2 Rutgers. A run without a hit. By the way we have no had a hit since the 4th inning.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Game over 4-2 loss. No hits after the 4th inning. Another pathetic offensive showing. Someone needs to inform Penders that there seems to be a common theme here. If any team scouts us they now our team is so overly aggressive at the plate that they don't have to throw strikes because our guys are going to swing at anything close to the plate and will make outs on bad pitches. Meanwhile our pitchers have 9 walks today. Guy can recruit but his coaching is very questionable. Just hope the talent he brings in can overcome it. We have guys with 2 strikes on them swinging for the fences rather than choking up and trying to make contact. We seem to get so few 2 strike hits where as our pitchers give up a lot of 2 strike hits. This team this year has been so incredibly frustrating to follow.

 

[dbmill]

Georgetown lost today, so the magic number for UConn making the Big East Tourney is now two. The Huskies are back in 7th place now, with St. John's in 8th.