UConn @ Stetson Invitational ~ WMU 3/3@1p, Stetson 3/4@7p & St. Joe's 3/5 @ 11a in Deland Fla.

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

Huskies Set for Stetson Invitational

Friday, March 3 vs. Western Michigan 1:00 p.m @Melching Field at Conrad Park
(Sam Nepiarsky (0-0) vs. Jacob Piechota (2-1)
Links: 91.7 FM WHUS/whus.org | Live Stats

Saturday, March 4 at Stetson 7:00 p.m @ Melching Field at Conrad Park
(Wills Montgomerie (2-0) vs. Jack Perkins (0-1))
Links: 91.7 FM WHUS/whus.org | Live Stats

Sunday, March 5 vs. Saint Joseph’s 11:00 a.m @ Melching Field at Conrad Park
(Mason Feole (1-0) vs. Pat Vanderslice (0-1))
Links: 91.7 FM WHUS/ whus.org | Live Stats

NOTE: Fans also have the option of purchasing a three-day pass for this weekend to watch all the games, video can be streamed at vs. Connecticut vs Western Michigan.@$8.95 for all 3 games!

 

[uconnbaseball]

Anything less than 2-1 would be wildly disappointing. 3-0 should be in the cards if the bullpen gives us anything, and they definitely showed flashes at Texas.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Scratch that, I did not realize Cate is out now, too. 2-1 would be fine!

 

[huskymedic]

 

[dbmill]

Seeing Sam Nepiarsky listed as the Friday starter was a bit of a shock. According to the weekly Chris Jones interview with Coach Penders, Nepiarsky was probably the most consistent pitcher in preseason after Cate and Montgomerie. Doug Domnarski was a bit better than Nepiarsky during the fall ball, so that led to Penders giving Domnarski getting the first shot at the weekend starting rotation.

After Nepiarsky emerged late in the 2015 season, I automatically figured that he would have a major role on the pitching staff in 2016. I figured wrong. While he had his moments, Nepiarsky had a less than stellar season. Still, I've always figured there was a chance he could possibly return to the late season form of 2015, so I always wanted to see him get more chances. Well, he isn't exactly Tim Cate, but Nepiarsky is getting a big chance Friday to show what he can do.

During the interview Penders mentioned that Nepiarsky was one of six pitchers groomed for starting games this season. The only one we haven't seen yet is Andrew Zapata, who is quickly appearing to be the sixth starter on a team that will only need four or five starters a week as the the season progresses. Not a good spot for Zapata, since Penders has more than once mentioned in interviews that Zapata does not fare well in relief assignments.

It also sounds like John Toppa will be restricted to the DH spot for the time being until he can throw again. Penders was giving no timetable for when that might be, so it could be a while.

Also mentioned during the interview is that Isaac Feldstein showed himself to be a very streaky hitter during the fall season. He certainly chose the right time to go off on a very hot streak.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[uconnbaseball]

Texas suffocated Stanford last night if anyone cares. Their pitching is legit.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[uconnbaseball]

Great catch by Winkel in left field!

 

[uconnbaseball]

Good top of the first. WMU is throwing their only competent starter today, hopefully we can knock him around early and get to that bullpen.

 

[uconnbaseball]

1-0 UConn after a triple by Hill and sac groundout by Prato. Going to the top of the 2nd.

 

[uconnbaseball]

WMU threatens in the top of the 2nd but does not score.

Gnesda with another good at bat to lead off the bottom of the 2nd, and strokes a single. They immediately turn 2 after Toppa grounds to short, so the hit is for naught. Winkel proceeds to get hit by a pitch.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Feels like an echo chamber in this thread

2-0 UConn after back to back hits by Kruger and Hill. Still bottom of the 3rd.

 

[Stainmaster]

Hill seems to be having his first successful day at the plate all year. Good for him.

 

[uconnbaseball]

3-0 going into the 4th inning after Susi misses a home run by mere feet. Sac fly.

We have hit up some pretty good starting pitching at times (this guy, the Texas stud freshman, Lowell's #1). Encouraging for when Yahn comes back, but we are likely gonna need more runs today.

 

[uconnbaseball]

All that hard work vanishes with a meltdown by Nepiarsky. 3-3...we desperately need Cate back ASAP.

 

[Kgun7]

Feels like an echo chamber in this thread

2-0 UConn after back to back hits by Kruger and Hill. Still bottom of the 3rd.

Keep it up!! Your updates are very much appreciated for those of us at work!

 

[uconnbaseball]

Keep it up!! Your updates are very much appreciated for those of us at work!

Sadly I am headed to work in an hour myself, so I will not be here all game. I trust someone else to take my place though.

Going to the bottom of the 4th, score still 3-3 after some good pitching by Radjowski.

 

[Kgun7]

Sadly I am headed to work in an hour myself, so I will not be here all game. I trust someone else to take my place though.

Going to the bottom of the 4th, score still 3-3 after some good pitching by Radjowski.

Slacker!

 

[uconnbaseball]

Radjowski dealing. Still 3-3 going to the bottom of the 5th, and Winkel is on the bench for not running out a ground ball, causing Penders to unleash his inner Auriemma

 

[SAMCRO]

Nepiarsky putting them down 1-2-3 needing only about 5 pitches, going to B5

 

[SAMCRO]

WMU going to the bullpen with Hill coming to bat... 1 out, runner on 1st.

 

[SAMCRO]

Moriarity steals 2nd. Then Hill walks... Runners on 1 & 2, with 1 out

 

[uconnbaseball]

WMU throwing the kitchen sink to win this game..their only good reliever now in the game.