Don’t look now, but the Hook C is hot. Like, scorching hot.
At the time of this writing (before Connecticut takes on Hofstra Wednesday afternoon, the Huskies have claimed victory in 13 of their last 15 contests. The streak has helped UConn overcome its rocky start to the season. Their recent sweep of Georgetown saw the team go back over a .500 W/L% for the first time since a loss to California back on Feb. 24 sent the team under the .500 mark. The Georgetown sweep knocked the top team in the Big East off its throne and allowed the Huskies, with a 7-2 conference record, to claim it.
At first glance, a 21-18 overall record may not wow anybody, but it’s a record the team has fought hard for. Along the way, pieces have fallen into place to help guide them back to formidable status. Here’s a look at how the Hook C has worked back to become the unit that was projected to finish atop the Big East in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Balanced lineup = problems from top-to-bottom
It’s hard to point at the Huskies’ lineup and say that one guy is “the guy.” But really, that’s a good problem to have.
Connecticut has played in 39 total games this season (before Wednesday). Throughout the season, 13 players have seen action in at least 17 of those games while 13 have appeared in at least 20. They do have a core of eight players who have appeared in at least 30 contests to this point, though none of them has a batting average below .254. In essence, UConn’s offense has seen contributions up-and-down the roster, but when considering the guys who play regularly, none have performed to the point of being declared a liability or a weak link. Everyone in their starting lineup can hold their own.
In the power department, the Hook C has seen 10 players smack double-digit home run totals this season. Luke Broadhurst leads the way with 10 bombs, but Maddix Dalena isn’t far behind with eighth. Korey Morton then has seven, then Matt Malcom and Jake Studley are next with six apiece… you get the point. While UConn certainly has players who lead the squad in certain offensive categories, their teammates are right there to challenge them. The same can be said about RBIs, where 11 players have contributed double-digit RBI totals, including five players with 23 or more. Broadhurst leads the team in slugging percentage, Morton leads on hits and Paul Tammaro leads in on-base percentage: all on-base-related statistics that are led by three different players. The Husky offense has not been led by one player but has been the sum of their parts.
Starters and relievers doing their job
After some uncertainty throughout the season regarding who would be the team’s regular Friday starter, it appears that Ian Cooke has locked that position down. He joins Garrett Coe and Stephen Quigley, who have both been solid all season, to formulate a respectable one-two-three punch that has spearheaded the Hook C pitching staff this campaign. Gabe Van Emon has seen his fair share of ups-and-downs but is an incredible talent when he is on; his new role as a midweek starter may be the role that’s suited best for him, allowing him to see meaningful innings while acting as a bridge between weekend series.
Connecticut has a unique combination of short and long-inning relievers that head coach Jim Penders can turn to out of the bullpen. Joe Cinnella and Ben Schild have both received starting nods this season and have eaten over 20 innings apiece in a combination of starting and relief appearances. Where the bullpen really separates itself from the opposition, though, is with the two-headed monster of Braden Quinn and Brady Afthim that has been outstanding all season.
Quinn is fifth for UConn in total innings pitched (29.0) yet ranks third in strikeouts (50). Over 19 appearances out of the ‘pen, the lefty has worked to a 2.17 ERA. After him is Afthim, who has cemented himself as the Hook C’s closer. He’s amassed five saves this season and has a 0.64 ERA over 14.0 innings. Opponents are hitting just .149 against Afthim, the lowest batting average against any UConn pitcher this season. When in a pinch or when trying to put the final nail in the coffin, Quinn and Afthim have been the guys who are called on.
Protecting the home turf
It would sure stink being a fan of a baseball team if they could not win consistently on their home field. Lucky for Connecticut fans, that is not the case.
Not including Wednesday’s outcome, the Huskies are 10-4 this season when playing at Elliot Ballpark in Storrs. They’ve won each of their last six home games and have won both of their weekend series at home. They’ve also been on the victorious side of a mercy-rule win, which takes effect in out-of-conference games where one team is leading by 10+ runs after seven innings. All three of those games were at good ole’ Elliot.
The Hook C has been electric at home, particularly while they’ve embarked on this multi-week hot streak to work their way back to the top of the Big East standings. With just six more home games scheduled for this season including this weekend’s series against Villanova, fans need to get to the ballpark now for a chance to cheer on their Huskies!