UConn and the 2019 NCAA Baseball Tournament (#2 seed in Oklahoma City Regional)

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

Double Elimination (All times CT)

Friday, May 31
12:00 PM CT	Game 1 Nebraska vs. UConn	Live Stats	Watch Live ESPN3	Box Score Quotes	Postgame News Conference
6:00 PM CT	Game 2 Oklahoma State vs. Harvard	Live Stats	Watch Live ESPN3	Box Score Quotes	Postgame News Conference
Saturday, June 1
Time TBA	Game 3 - Elimination Game Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two	Live Stats	Watch Live	Box Score Quotes	Postgame News Conference
Time TBA	Game 4 Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two	Live Stats	Watch Live	Box Score Quotes	Postgame News Conference
Sunday, June 2
Time TBA	Game 5 - Elimination Game Winner Game Three vs. Loser Game Four	Live Stats	Watch Live	Box Score Quotes	Postgame News Conference
Time TBA	Game 6 - Regional Championship Winner Game Five vs. Winner Game Four	Live Stats	Watch Live	Box Score Quotes	Postgame News Conference
Sunday, June 2
Time TBA	Game 7 - If Necessary Same teams as Game Six	Live Stats	Watch Live	Box Score Quotes	Postgame News Conference

 

[Husker Husky]

That will make for a solid game. Nebraska is weak against lefties and UConn will be going up against a very good Husker starter.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Feole for 7, Wurster for 2, start Wallace vs. Ok State if we beat Nebraska!!

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Harvard baseball's NCAA tournament celebration really got out of hand

Hope we don’t have to face these monsters

 

[businesslawyer]

More likely to me that CJ gets the start than Wally. But I would not be shocked at some point in the tourney if you see Wally, CJ and Wurster being asked to go the 9 between them.

But you can't give up on Kersten either. If you hold him for game 3 fine, but he pitched lights out once in FL before the debacle, and has been fairly consistent, if not overwhelming, all season.

 

[dbmill]

So Feole is going to start Friday against Nebraska. Just got to hope he has his stuff and he can go deep into the game, as it will help set up the rest of the regional for the UConn pitching staff. Besides, Feole really is the one hope for a UConn starting pitcher to go long into a game and help save the bullpen for other games. But hoping is just that, we'll just have to see how it all plays out on Friday. No question we're going to see quite a bit of Kersten (probably starting, but you never know), Wurster, Dandeneau, and Wallace in the other games.

Still, it is going to be tough for UConn to win this regional on the strength of just five pitchers. One or two of the other inconsistent pitchers on the UConn staff are going to have to step up for the Huskies to come out on top in this regional. Given his performance on the mound last weekend in Florida, I expect Colby Dunlop will be given a chance to show that he can do it again at some point during these games, possibly as a starter, or in another long relief role.

 

[HawkHusky]

Yup. We need vintage Feole, early season Kersten/Wang/Haus, AAC tourney Dunlop, and reliable Wurster/Dandy/Wallace to get the job done.

 

[dbmill]

Yup. We need vintage Feole, early season Kersten/Wang/Haus, AAC tourney Dunlop, and reliable Wurster/Dandy/Wallace to get the job done.

Karl Johnson had stints this season where it looked like he was about to join Wurster, Dandeneau, and Wallace as one of the standouts in the bullpen, but eventually his lack of control said no to this. Still, if you are looking for someone else to possibly pull out a Dunlop in the AAC tourney type of outing out of their hat, I would nominate Johnson. Still, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it at this point in the season.

 

[BaseballDog]

To win the regional I believe we need quality innings from Wang and Dunlop. I am not a believer in Wallace starting, he is too maximum effort to go more than three innings in a game.

I also concur that Johnson has shown glimmers of being a dependable when he throws strikes. He actually has issued more walks than he has given up hits on the year.

 

[navery12]

To win the regional I believe we need quality innings from Wang and Dunlop. I am not a believer in Wallace starting, he is too maximum effort to go more than three innings in a game.

I also concur that Johnson has shown glimmers of being a dependable when he throws strikes. He actually has issued more walks than he has given up hits on the year.

The idea wouldn't be to have Wallace go 5+ innings, it would be to make sure he gets a chance to pitch his 2-3 innings when we're still in the game and hopefully jump out to an early lead

 

[dbmill]

The idea wouldn't be to have Wallace go 5+ innings, it would be to make sure he gets a chance to pitch his 2-3 innings when we're still in the game and hopefully jump out to an early lead

That might work if you had a Wallace to come in and pitch the last couple innings in relief.

 

[BaseballDog]

The idea wouldn't be to have Wallace go 5+ innings, it would be to make sure he gets a chance to pitch his 2-3 innings when we're still in the game and hopefully jump out to an early lead

I guess I just don't agree with that philosophy in the middle of a tournament where that potentially burns your closer for the rest of the tournament.

 

[navery12]

That might work if you had a Wallace to come in and pitch the last couple innings in relief.

Yeah I'm not necessarily in favor of it. Would have to be a very specific scenario where CJ and Wurster were both available for multiple innings or something

 

[navery12]

I guess I just don't agree with that philosophy in the middle of a tournament where that potentially burns your closer for the rest of the tournament.

That's certainly one possibility, the other is you save him for a save chance that never comes. I think we can survive with Kersten starting, but have to think outside the box sometimes

 

[dbmill]

That's certainly one possibility, the other is you save him for a save chance that never comes. I think we can survive with Kersten starting, but have to think outside the box sometimes

Which is why I suggest Colby Dunlop as a starter for one of the games. As it is, I don't think the five trusted pitchers in question (Feole, Kersten, Wurster, Dandeneau, and Wallace) can give you enough innings to take the regional. It might be a little different if one of the three relievers were a starter who reliably could give you 6 or 7 innings, but it is not the case with this team. Going to need some others to either give you a good start for several innings or a long relief stint amounting to the same thing, enabling UConn to get to Wurster, Dandeneau, and Wallace without them having to throw their arms off. Some pitchers are going to need to step up.

 

[hardcorehusky]

I still think Angus Mayock might see innings before it is said and done. Wallace isn't PJ Poulin- I can't see him going more than 3 innings. The key to Mason is pitch count- if he could go 7 innings that would be helpful.

 

[uconnbaseball]

I can see Simeone being an x-factor. Maybe I have more faith in him than I should.

 

[dbmill]

I still think Angus Mayock might see innings before it is said and done. Wallace isn't PJ Poulin- I can't see him going more than 3 innings. The key to Mason is pitch count- if he could go 7 innings that would be helpful.

There are several guys who could see innings and help. Colby Dunlop, Jimmy Wang, Angus Mayock, Karl Johnson, and Joe Simeone seem the most likely ones of the bunch. Also possible Kenny Haus could get a start and get a couple innings, but considering Penders didn't use him much late in the season, you have to wonder. Still, any one of these guys are going to be on a very short leash and liable to be pulled at the slightest hint of trouble.

 

[dbmill]

I can see Simeone being an x-factor. Maybe I have more faith in him than I should.

I do too. I still think Simeone is someone who could be something at some point in his UConn career.

 

[huskymedic]

Dave Borges: Pat Winkel healthy, hot at the right time as UConn heads into NCAA tournament play

>>Since returning to the lineup on May 10 after suffering his second concussion of the season, Winkel has hit .362 with three homers over his last 11 games. He’s currently at an even .300 for the season, fourth on the Huskies, and he’s ready to lead UConn into the NCAA tournament, starting on Friday afternoon against Nebraska in Oklahoma City.

“We’re finally hitting that stretch where we’re kind of cruising right now,” Winkel said. “We’re in the best part of the season — no school, no worries, just playing baseball. That’s what they said was the most fun, especially being able to play in the postseason and go so far in our conference and even play for a national championship.”<<

>>Penders, a former UConn catcher himself, admits Winkel has had some trouble adjusting to the everyday grind this season.

“To catch in this league, every day, it’s very demanding physically, and even more so mentally,” the 16th-year Husky head coach said. “And I’m tough on him. I’m tough on my catchers. But he’s come a long way. He’s a very good receiver. He wore down a little bit, a couple of times during the year where his body kind of broke down on him. He’s got to learn how to pace himself, how to play every day, how to be extra strong. But he’ll figure all that stuff out. He’s a really hard-working kid from a great family. We’re really happy with his development.”<<

 

[huskymedic]

Amore: UConn’s Mason Feole takes the ball for one more big game, vs. Nebraska in NCAA Tournament

>>“I expect him to be great,” UConn coach Jim Penders said. “It’s an unrealistic expectation, but that’s how great he has been for us over his three years. When we hand him the ball in high leverage situations, he comes through. We have a ton of confidence in him.”<<

>>Against Nebraska, Feole will face a lineup that has struggled against lefthanders throughout the season, so much so that UConn coaches dropped any thought of holding their ace back for a possible matchup with top-seeded Oklahoma State in Game 2.

“You win Game 1 and you can put yourself I the driver’s seat,” Feole said. “That’s what we’re focused on Friday. The way Husky baseball has always been played, since I’ve been here: Every game as always been held as the most important. Coach Penders always harps on the idea that the next game is the most important game on the schedule. The best way for the game not to speed up on you is to one, play every game like it’s your last, and two, like it’s the most important game of the season.”<<

 

[freescooter]

Feole needs to bring his A game. This has been a sort of up and down season. Not the time to have a down performance. But the goal needs to be to win the Nebraska game and worry about Game 2 when it comes. When your staff isn’t deep you need to work it out as it comes.

 

[HuskyHawk]

That's certainly one possibility, the other is you save him for a save chance that never comes. I think we can survive with Kersten starting, but have to think outside the box sometimes

I think they will use him in high leverage situations. Maybe not a save, maybe to hold things for a couple of innings even if 6-7 against the heart of the lineup they face. I wouldn't start him. We will need him in multiple games.

 

[HawkHusky]

Win the first one then root like hell for Harvard in the late game.

 

[businesslawyer]

To win the regional I believe we need quality innings from Wang and Dunlop. I am not a believer in Wallace starting, he is too maximum effort to go more than three innings in a game.

I also concur that Johnson has shown glimmers of being a dependable when he throws strikes. He actually has issued more walks than he has given up hits on the year.

Johnson's enormous potential is shown in his batting average against. He needs to learn more control over the offseason. But there is no reason Wurster, Johnson and Mayock can't form a really good (if not as dominant as this year's) triumverate of relievers who get the ball when your team is ahead.

 

[businesslawyer]

Dave Borges: Pat Winkel healthy, hot at the right time as UConn heads into NCAA tournament play

>>Since returning to the lineup on May 10 after suffering his second concussion of the season, Winkel has hit .362 with three homers over his last 11 games. He’s currently at an even .300 for the season, fourth on the Huskies, and he’s ready to lead UConn into the NCAA tournament, starting on Friday afternoon against Nebraska in Oklahoma City.

“We’re finally hitting that stretch where we’re kind of cruising right now,” Winkel said. “We’re in the best part of the season — no school, no worries, just playing baseball. That’s what they said was the most fun, especially being able to play in the postseason and go so far in our conference and even play for a national championship.”<<

>>Penders, a former UConn catcher himself, admits Winkel has had some trouble adjusting to the everyday grind this season.

“To catch in this league, every day, it’s very demanding physically, and even more so mentally,” the 16th-year Husky head coach said. “And I’m tough on him. I’m tough on my catchers. But he’s come a long way. He’s a very good receiver. He wore down a little bit, a couple of times during the year where his body kind of broke down on him. He’s got to learn how to pace himself, how to play every day, how to be extra strong. But he’ll figure all that stuff out. He’s a really hard-working kid from a great family. We’re really happy with his development.”<<

There is no reason not to expect Winkel to be our best position player at least since George Springer by the time he's done.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Sharing a plane with the enemy? Interesting

 

[Guapo]

Win the first one then root like hell for Harvard in the late game.