UConn @ Tulane (Thurs. 5/16 @ 7:30p ET, Fri. 5/17 @ 7:30p ET & Sat. 5/18 @ 2p ET)

[dbmill]

Why wasn’t Gozzo Dan Hurley more this year? 3B has to produce. Hope there’s recruiting targeting that.

There have been many options at D.H. besides Gozzo, so that is one factor. For instance, Pat Winkel often is at D.H. when he is healthy and not catching. The other factor is that Gozzo seems to do better at the bat with spot starts and coming off the bench. When he gets in the lineup for a few days in a row his bat seems to start disappearing. Next season Gozzo won't have to share backup catcher duty with Thad Phillips, He'll probably still be coming off the bench, but that should get him a little more playing time.

 

[dbmill]

Last night Chris Jones was thinking that given the general weakness of NCAA tourney bubble teams, UConn would get in the tournament if they took the series against Tulane.

 

[kris1]

One other thing about Pat Winkel and his bat. He adds a badly needed component to the UConn offense, namely power. Pat is now tied with Woodworth for the team lead in homers at 5. However, due to Pat's various injuries this season, Woodworth has close to double the number of plate appearances over Pat. Winkel is now leading the club in slugging percentage at .476 (Paul Gozzo's is higher, but he is not a regular in the lineup). With Winkel back in the lineup and his bat heating up, it is so nice not to always have to wait for three singles for UConn to score a run. Winkel's on base percentage is also now over .350, which to me is another significant offensive marker.

I agree.

Pat is going to continue to improve in all aspects of his game at UConn. He's a kid that is already a pro defensively and has always been an above average hitter. The injuries certainly slowed the growth process. However, we're starting to see the potential he has and could be one of the best to ever play for Coach Penders. As he continues to get bigger and stronger, his power production will increase dramatically. I would not be surprised (given his work ethic, approach, and plate discipline) if he hits 15-20 HRs in a season before he leaves UConn. There's still plenty of room for power potential in his swing. It will be exciting to see him grow over the next 2-3 years.

 

[kris1]

2020 Hand of Madison’s Phoenix Billings is a SS/Third Baseman. Classic Penders recruit: Hand’s Phoenix Billings balancing a full plate on baseball diamond and gridiron

This is a kid I'm excited about. He has that "IT" factor. Whether it's on the gridiron or the diamond, the kid has always been clutch. He certainly has a chance to be Prato's replacement down the road. He's also another kid with tremendous work ethic.

 

[HawkHusky]

Last night Chris Jones was thinking that given the general weakness of NCAA tourney bubble teams, UConn would get in the tournament if they took the series against Tulane.

Yup. No one on the bubble can match that Louisville series win and if Texas State gets back into the RPI Top 50 (they're currently at #52), that's 9 Quad 1 wins. Again, no other bubble team can match that. The only knock is the conference record, but we play in a Top 5 conference so winning the Tulane series (thus finishing .500) should do the job.

 

[kris1]

Spoke to Andy Hague the other night. He's healthy and amped for summer ball to start. He received great feedback from the UConn staff heading into his off-season work. He's gunning for a shot at one of the INF spots next season. Competition breeds success!!!

 

[huskymedic]

 

[uconnbaseball]

A win today and we are 100% in, unless a lot of cruddy teams win their conferences.

Win this series and the AAC championship and we might be a 2 seed.

 

[dbmill]

A win today and we are 100% in, unless a lot of cruddy teams win their conferences.

Win this series and the AAC championship and we might be a 2 seed.

If UConn keeps its RPI around 30 or a bit lower the Huskies might be a 2 seed regardless of the AAC championship. Right now they are at No. 29 in the RPI.

 

[dbmill]

I agree.

Pat is going to continue to improve in all aspects of his game at UConn. He's a kid that is already a pro defensively and has always been an above average hitter. The injuries certainly slowed the growth process. However, we're starting to see the potential he has and could be one of the best to ever play for Coach Penders. As he continues to get bigger and stronger, his power production will increase dramatically. I would not be surprised (given his work ethic, approach, and plate discipline) if he hits 15-20 HRs in a season before he leaves UConn. There's still plenty of room for power potential in his swing. It will be exciting to see him grow over the next 2-3 years.

Winkel is already showing signs that he is going to be the big star of this team for the next couple seasons. Given his bat skills, his power potential, and the defensive ability that he shows, it is going to be a wonderful package. Figure he will definitely be hitting in either the 3 or 4 spot in the lineup, and it will be because he clearly deserves it. It looks like he is going to be a true center piece to build this team around.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

RHP Trent Johnson (2-0 5.60ERA):
• Has appeared in 20 games in relief with one start, pitching 27.1 innings this season
• Earned the win after pitching two shutout innings with three strikeouts, retiring the side in both innings
• Earned his fi rst career save in the win over ECU
• Allowed one run on two hits in a win over McNeese in three innings pitched

 

[uconnbaseball]

Sounds like a bullpen day for them. Score early before they go to their better relievers.

 

[dbmill]

Chris Jones says Nucerino has a hamstring injury. He had one at the beginning of the season as well.

 

[huskymedic]

Chris Jones says Nucerino has a hamstring injury.

You either type significantly faster than me or have a much faster connection

 

[dbmill]

You either type significantly faster than me or have a much faster connection

I'm able to get WHUS on the radio loud and clear here in Norwich. From my experience, radio wave transmissions are quite a bit quicker than listening through streaming.

 

[dbmill]

Top 1st, through a combination of a walk, a hit, and an error the Huskies have the bases loaded with no outs.

 

[dbmill]

Bases loaded walk to Pat Winkel makes it 1-0 UConn.

 

[huskymedic]

That works...

 

[dbmill]

I'm slow tonight (and so is my typing), just realized Christian Fedko has the night off.

 

[dbmill]

Chris Winkel sac fly makes it 2-0 UConn with 2 out.

 

[huskymedic]

Chris Winkel sac fly makes it 2-0 UConn with 2 out.

LOL... 390ft sac fly.

 

[dbmill]

Chiovitti robbed of a hit to end the inning. 2-0 UConn, Jeff Kersten has his work cut out for him with this Tulane lineup.

 

[huskymedic]

Chiovitti robbed of a hit to end the inning. 2-0 UConn, Jeff Kersten has his work cut out for him with this Tulane lineup.