Spring Break
The Storrs Side: Freshman off to fast start to season, career
Russell Blair
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports
With sophomore slugger Mike Olt sidelined due to an injury and second basemen Pierre LePage struggling to find his groove - his batting average nearly 100 points lower than it was last season - the Huskies have turned to a new face to bolster their lineup.
Thirty-three games into UConn's 2009 season freshman center fielder George Springer leads the team in home runs with 10, RBIs with 33 and slugging percentage at .718. A standout at Avon Old Farms, Springer was drafted by the Minnesota Twins but decided to stay in-state and attend UConn.
In addition to his ability to go yard Springer has shown tremendous speed on the base paths. He leads the team with three triples and has only been caught stealing once in eight attempts. As if all that wasn't enough, Springer has yet to commit an error in center field. He has used his speed and athleticism to range out and make plays that leave batters frustrated and scratching their heads at home plate.
Springer brings the total package to the Huskies and watching his poise and confidence makes it hard to remember that he's just a freshman.
Perhaps most remarkable about Springer is his ability to bounce back from a tough game one day and come out of the gate strong in the next.
In UConn's 2-5 loss to South Florida on March 28 Springer had four trips to the plate and struck out four times. Next time up against UMass Springer completely turned his game around.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the first, Springer connected and sent a deep fly ball soaring over the right field fence, netting four RBIs and giving the Huskies all the cushion they would need. If that wasn't enough, Springer tacked on a solo shot to finish 3-for-3 with 2 homeruns, 4 RBIs and a walk.
Regardless of how UConn's season finishes, Springer has brought a spark as a big-time newcomer.
Thirty-three games into UConn's 2009 season freshman center fielder George Springer leads the team in home runs with 10, RBIs with 33 and slugging percentage at .718. A standout at Avon Old Farms, Springer was drafted by the Minnesota Twins but decided to stay in-state and attend UConn.
In addition to his ability to go yard Springer has shown tremendous speed on the base paths. He leads the team with three triples and has only been caught stealing once in eight attempts. As if all that wasn't enough, Springer has yet to commit an error in center field. He has used his speed and athleticism to range out and make plays that leave batters frustrated and scratching their heads at home plate.
Springer brings the total package to the Huskies and watching his poise and confidence makes it hard to remember that he's just a freshman.
Perhaps most remarkable about Springer is his ability to bounce back from a tough game one day and come out of the gate strong in the next.
In UConn's 2-5 loss to South Florida on March 28 Springer had four trips to the plate and struck out four times. Next time up against UMass Springer completely turned his game around.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the first, Springer connected and sent a deep fly ball soaring over the right field fence, netting four RBIs and giving the Huskies all the cushion they would need. If that wasn't enough, Springer tacked on a solo shot to finish 3-for-3 with 2 homeruns, 4 RBIs and a walk.
Regardless of how UConn's season finishes, Springer has brought a spark as a big-time newcomer.
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