Friday : Houston LHP Lael Lockhart Jr. (1-2, 4.62) vs. UConn LHP Mason Feole (0-0, 5.56)
ON UCONN • The Huskies enters the weekend with an 11-7 record. UConn, who took a four-game series over Michigan State over the weekend, is coming off a 6-3 decision at Virginia on Wednesday. • Senior center fielder Michael Woodworth leads the team in batting average (.352), while junior shortstop Anthony Prato holds top marks in on-base percentage (.461), runs scored (18) and doubles (8). • Friday starter Mason Feole was tabbed The American’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year and was a Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball (First Team), NCBWA (Second Team) and D1Baseball (Third Team). • Junior Jake Wallace, who was tabbed The American’s Preseason All-Conference relief pitcher, co-leads the league in saves (5). • The Huskies, who tied for third in the league in 2018, were picked third in The American Preseason Poll entering the 2019 season. • UConn is batting .268 as a team and has a 4.67 ERA, compared to opponents’ .269 average and 4.94 ERA.
Hyland leads off by flying to left, but the LF loses it in the dark for a double. Thomas then bunts for a hit (1st collegiate hit). With 1 out, they have Thomas picked off, but the 1B throw gets past the SS. Hyland scores, Thomas to 3rd. Lovelace then bunts and the must have been some miscommunication because Thomas didn’t run right away, but then sprinted home when the fielder got the ball. He was a dead duck.
If it was a suicide squeeze, he should have been going with the pitch. If it was a safety squeeze, he should have waited to see where the ball ended up or for the throw to 1st.
Lead off single, steal, K, and Lockhart’s night is done. Hell of a night for Lael as he only gave up 4 hits, no earned runs (still responsible for the runner at 2nd) and had 5 Ks in 7 1/3. Really settling in to that Friday starter role. Villarreal on to pitch.