What's to glean from opening weekend?
Puerto Rico was not kind to UConn.
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One lesson from each loss on opening weekend
The Huskies dropped all three games of its opening series in Puerto Rico. Each one carries a distinct lesson regarding how they can clean up their play with plenty of solid opponents still looming. There’s still plenty of season left, but UConn knows on what it needs to work before Florida Atlantic this weekend.
Stetson — Absence of Timely Hitting
The Huskies lost 10-6 on Opening Day, scoring all six of their runs in the fifth inning. They had at least one runner on base in every other inning besides the sixth, the only inning all game they went down in order. Getting on base was not the issue, represented by the 10 hits and four walks on the day, but the bats went quiet anytime UConn threatened to score.
Two-out hitting and hitting with runners in scoring position is a huge key for any offense. The Huskies need timely hitting if they hope to turn around their 0-3 start.
Missouri — Limit Free Passes
Across 25 innings, UConn pitchers surrendered 22 walks, seven of which eventually came around to score. Against Missouri, five Husky pitchers combined for seven walks, with each arm allowing at least one. Limiting free passes prevents innings from getting out of control and keeps pitch counts low. UConn’s pitching staff had 28 runs hung on it across the three games and the walks were a big reason why.
But the Huskies were a long way from home. Their pitchers have likely been throwing indoors all winter as opposed to on an outdoor mound. The control will come with time and patience.
Penn State — Lock Down Defensively
Penn State scored seven runs Sunday, and it was just enough to stave off a late-game rally from a Husky offense that scored a run in the eighth inning and three in the ninth. Of the seven runs, just two were earned. The Huskies made two errors against Penn State and two against Missouri, unconditional blunders for a team that last year was the Big East’s best defensively.
Again, indoor practices do not compare to outdoor practices. When UConn gets some more time on the field rather than in the facility, the team should look a lot more comfortable on both sides of the ball.
Around the Big East
Until RPI is viable, which comes in mid-April, this space will take a look at what each Big East team has been doing in the early part of the season.
Butler
Tarleton State took three of four from Butler, including a 31-5 decision in the first half of Saturday’s doubleheader. The Bulldogs staved off the sweep with an extra-innings victory on Sunday. They head to Virginia to face Norfolk State this weekend and will then open the midweek slate, with a home game against Bowling Green before a road trip to Louisville.
Creighton
The Bluejays lost a pair of close contests against UNC Greensboro in a Friday doubleheader, but they broke out with a 17-1 beatdown on Sunday to close out the weekend. Portland will welcome in Creighton for four games this weekend.
Georgetown
Presbyterian took the series by the skin of its teeth, taking both halves of a Friday doubleheader by one run each. Georgetown staved off the sweep in the Saturday finale with a 5-1 win. The Hoyas also had a run-fest in their home opener, squeaking by George Mason, 15-14. The homestand continues this weekend, as Sacred Heart comes to Capital One Park for three before a trip to George Washington on Tuesday.
St. John’s
Unlike most of their other conference-mates, St. John’s couldn’t prevent the sweep. It scored just five runs all weekend and lost two of the three games to Liberty by nine runs each. It won’t get easier for the Red Storm, as No. 15 Wake Forest will host them this weekend.
Seton Hall
Seton hall had an explosive start to the weekend, scoring 11 runs on Friday and 15 more on Saturday, but had just a 1-1 record to show for it, losing to San Diego State and beating Austin Peay in the MLB Desert Invitational. The offense slowed down on Sunday, falling 5-3 to New Mexico. The Pirates will face College of Charleston thrice this weekend and will play Wagner on Tuesday in their home opener.
Xavier
The Musketeers were the only Big East school to come away from the first weekend with a winning record, taking two wins in the College Baseball Classic. They couldn’t take down No. 7 Oregon State, but hung with the Beavers and lost by five. However, Xavier did beat Indiana and UNLV. Oregon State was on the schedule again on Monday and their depth showed with a 12-run win, while a Wednesday date with Louisville was postponed with no replacement date announced. Liberty will host Xavier this weekend and Indiana will do the same on Tuesday.
Villanova
Villanova earned an opening day win over Rice and took No. 4 Virginia to the brink, but lost, 3-1. However, Michigan took the Wildcats to the woodshed in the finale, winning 19-0. St. Peter’s was due to come to Plymouth Meeting for Opening Day, but the contest was canceled. Villanova heads to Winthrop for three games this weekend and hosts Coppin State on Tuesday in midweek play.
Bracketology
Baseball America
Baseball America won’t release another bracket until midseason. UConn was a 3-seed in its initial projection.
D1Baseball
They’re a bit more bullish on the Huskies, as UConn is a 2-seed in No. 13 NC State’s Raleigh Regional with the Big East’s automatic bid. There are no other teams from the league in the field.
No. 5 North Carolina, No. 11 Duke and No. 16 Vanderbilt will each face UConn in a single game, as will 3-seed Penn State and 4-seeds Army, Bryant and LIU. There aren’t any weekend series opponents on the docket.
The Week Ahead
Friday: at Florida Atlantic; 6:30 p.m.; FAUSports.com
Saturday: at Florida Atlantic; 4 p.m.; FAUSports.com
Sunday: at Florida Atlantic; 12 p.m.; FAUSports.com
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