Spring Break
Huskies preparing for Stags
Chris Brodeur
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Sports
As a player, current Fairfield coach John Slosar batted .400 in the 1972 College World Series as a member of the UConn Huskies - one of five trips there in program history.
Today at 3 p.m., Slosar - now in his 33rd season on the Stags' coaching staff - will be in the visitor's dugout at J.O. Christian Field for the annual clash of Connecticut-based programs.
According to UConn coach Jim Penders, this year's Stags club (15-18, 5-7 Metro Atlantic Conference) is much improved over previous groups. Penders added that, as always, a Slosar-guided team presents a test for his Huskies.
UConn (22-16, 8-7 Big East) enters the matchup fresh off a rout of another school from the Nutmeg State, the Quinnipiac Bobcats of Hamden.
The Huskies have reeled off nine wins in their last 11 contests and are scoring runs at a robust 7.32 per game clip. Freshman centerfielder George Springer is making a bid for Big East Rookie of the Year honors with a team-leading 11 home runs and 40 RBI to go with an astounding slugging percentage of .690.
The Stags' offense has struggled to match the Huskies' success plating runs, averaging a full two runs per game fewer than UConn's output. Sophomore second baseman Tucker Nathans is batting .375 to lead the team for the second straight season. While Fairfield's lineup doesn't boast a whole lot of power, Matt Tiagwad and Jason Rago are tied with a team-best three homers apiece.
Last season, the Huskies quickly turned a close game with the Stags - playing in their home ballpark, Alumni Diamond - into a blowout with an eight-run seventh inning. Then-freshman shortstop Mike Olt delivered the big blow in that frame with a grand slam. This season, Olt has been slowed by an undisclosed wrist injury and it's uncertain whether he'll make a return to his customary cleanup spot this season.
Springer has filled the role in his absence with a rookie campaign that's rivaled Olt's from a year ago, when the Branford native set a program record with 61 RBI.
Today at 3 p.m., Slosar - now in his 33rd season on the Stags' coaching staff - will be in the visitor's dugout at J.O. Christian Field for the annual clash of Connecticut-based programs.
According to UConn coach Jim Penders, this year's Stags club (15-18, 5-7 Metro Atlantic Conference) is much improved over previous groups. Penders added that, as always, a Slosar-guided team presents a test for his Huskies.
UConn (22-16, 8-7 Big East) enters the matchup fresh off a rout of another school from the Nutmeg State, the Quinnipiac Bobcats of Hamden.
The Huskies have reeled off nine wins in their last 11 contests and are scoring runs at a robust 7.32 per game clip. Freshman centerfielder George Springer is making a bid for Big East Rookie of the Year honors with a team-leading 11 home runs and 40 RBI to go with an astounding slugging percentage of .690.
The Stags' offense has struggled to match the Huskies' success plating runs, averaging a full two runs per game fewer than UConn's output. Sophomore second baseman Tucker Nathans is batting .375 to lead the team for the second straight season. While Fairfield's lineup doesn't boast a whole lot of power, Matt Tiagwad and Jason Rago are tied with a team-best three homers apiece.
Last season, the Huskies quickly turned a close game with the Stags - playing in their home ballpark, Alumni Diamond - into a blowout with an eight-run seventh inning. Then-freshman shortstop Mike Olt delivered the big blow in that frame with a grand slam. This season, Olt has been slowed by an undisclosed wrist injury and it's uncertain whether he'll make a return to his customary cleanup spot this season.
Springer has filled the role in his absence with a rookie campaign that's rivaled Olt's from a year ago, when the Branford native set a program record with 61 RBI.
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