Men UConn @ San Diego State Aztecs (Thursday 3/16/23 @9p, Friday 3/17/23 @9p, Saturday 3/18/23 @9p & Sunday 3/19/23 @4p) All times EST. Games on Mixlr

[dbmill]

Outside of getting picked off, they have been very aggressive on the basepaths - not just w/ sb’s, but taking the extra base. As athletic a team as I have seen in a while

Being aggressive on the base paths forces the other team to make defensive plays. In college baseball, having to make a play it is not unusual that it can turn into a misplay or an error. That is a reason for being aggressive on the bases, and also the need to put the ball in play instead of striking out.

Mistakes are a part of college baseball, and that includes base running mistakes. Still, I believe if you asked Coach Penders, he would say you benefit more from being aggressive and forcing the other team to make plays, even if you get thrown out on the bases on occasion.

Still, when it does happen, a runner thrown out on the bases does sting, whether it was a big mistake of a play or not.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Being aggressive on the base paths forces the other team to make defensive plays. In college baseball, having to make a play it is not unusual that it can turn into a misplay or an error. That is a reason for being aggressive on the bases, and also the need to put the ball in play instead of striking out.

Mistakes are a part of college baseball, and that includes base running mistakes. Still, I believe if you asked Coach Penders, he would say you benefit more from being aggressive and forcing the other team to make plays, even if you get thrown out on the bases on occasion.

Still, when it does happen, a runner thrown out on the bases does sting, whether it was a big mistake of a play or not.

Against a defensively sound team, I bet Penders dials it back a bit.

With SDSU, Cal Poly, FAU, Hawaii, and Ohio State all being varying degrees of awful defensively, it makes sense to be aggressive.

 

[Steve UConn72]

For those inquiring minds that wanted to know, UConn has grounded into 14 DP's this year (assuming last night's game is included in the UConn baseball stats), compared to 8 by the opposition. The NCAA lists DPs as a statistical entry, but I think it's DP's turned, not hit into, since the Huskies don't see to be in there anywhere. There are also 5 other DP's, presumably Caught Stealing or thrown out on fly balls. Some other interesting YTD stats - UC batters have been hit 27 times so far (13 for the opposition); UC has out-homered the oppos 17-11, out doubled them 41-20 (!) and committed 14 errors to 27 by the other guys. Let's take Game 4 today.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Hookknows]

Let’s take this game today! Head back to the Northeast and play in the same time
Zone. I want to be in the stadium on late night Fridays. ( Not listening ole school by a radio) Lets go Smitty!

 

[huskymedic]

 

[dbmill]

I was wondering the same thing. Possible Ellisen could still get the start and go a short stint on Wednesday, but I would think he would have to come out of the game after pitching those 2 innings.

Been thinking about who might start the Wednesday midweek game. Could be Ellisen, but there are other possibilities as well. If Garrett Coe doesn't pitch today, it would not surprise me if he gets the start and go a few innings. Also, since it is a midweek game against UMass (hardly a great team), I was thinking it may be a way to get Braden Quinn going. After all, during the preseason Quinn was regarded as a possible starter possibility. We'll see what happens.

 

[dbmill]

Top 1st, David Smith with a leadoff homer, 1-0 UConn.

 

[huskymedic]

Let’s go Smitty!

Top 1st, David Smith with a leadoff homer, 1-0 UConn.

LOL…

 

[Hookknows]

Yes Smitty!!!!Bomb!1-0

 

[dbmill]

Chris Jones says the wind is blowing out, and being a day game it could be a very offensive minded game.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Freeberger on 2nd with 1 out. Let’s jump on and demoralize them.

 

[dbmill]

Top 1st, SDSU having fielding problems again, leading to UConn having runners on the corners with 1 out following a no out Freeberger single. With 2 outs, Studley is picked off at 1B, goes down as a caught stealing. 1-0 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Strikeouts still a huge issue with this team and cost us a chance at extra runs, as well as another baserunning mistake.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 1st, Sullivan with a scoreless inning after a 1 out double, Sullivan picks up 2 strikeouts. 1-0 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Sully dealing early! Good low 90’s fastball

 

[dbmill]

Top 2nd, UConn offense quickly goes down in order. 1-0 UConn.

 

[Steve UConn72]

Top 2nd, UConn offense quickly goes down in order. 1-0 UConn.

Only 8 pitches, but at least the balls were put in play.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 2nd, Sullivan with a scoreless inning, picking up 2 more strikeouts, that makes it 4 strikeouts on the game so far for him. 1-0 UConn.

 

[dbmill]

Top 3rd, Daniels with a leadoff walk, he steals 2B, advances to 3B on a fly out for the 2nd out. Huber with an rbi single, 2-0 UConn.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 3rd, Sullivan strands a runner at 3B, 2-0 UConn. Sullivan at 41 pitches.

 

[Steve UConn72]

Doubt Serrano will be around much longer. He had only 7 2/3 innings (w/12 K's) in four relief outings prior to today.

 

[dbmill]

Top 4th, another UConn 2 out rally attempt, as Morton and Garbowski both walk with 2 outs. Nothing comes of it. 2-0 UConn.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 4th, Sullivan with a 1-2-3 inning, picks up 2 more strikeouts, 6 on the game so far. 2-0 UConn. Sullivan at 54 pitches, he is doing quite well so far.

 

[dbmill]

Top 5th, Freeberger with a 1 out solo homer, 3-0 UConn.

 

[dbmill]

Top 5th, Studley with a 2 out solo homer, first homer in his UConn career, 4-0 UConn.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Sully with 7 k's. DAMN our starting pitching has been good this series.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Shit...SDSU launches a 2 out rally of their own. 4-2.

Good defense by Freeberger to escape further damage. 4-2 UConn going to the 6th. Be nice to get those runs back.

 

[dbmill]

Bottom 5th, SDSU gets 2 runners in scoring position with singles with 2 out. Another single drives in 2 runs, 4-2 UConn. After a stolen base, Sullivan gets a ground out to end the inning. 4-2 UConn. Sullivan now at 76 pitches.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Our baserunning hurting and letting them hang around.