Springer launches two HRs in Huskies' win over UMass

UMass was on the verge of escaping the bottom of the first inning of yesterday afternoon's visit to J.O. Christian Field without surrendering any runs.

It would have been a frustrating start to the game for the Huskies, after a leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt, and a pair of walks to the heart of the order loaded the bases for one of UConn's hottest hitters - junior leftfielder Peter Fatse - with just one out. It would have also meant that on this afternoon, the Minutemen stood a chance.

After Fatse struck out swinging, freshman centerfielder George Springer - coming off what might have been his roughest outing at the plate thus far in an otherwise stellar rookie campaign - stepped into the batter's box and put an end to those odds. The New Britain native launched an opposite field grand slam that sliced into the bushes beyond the short porch in right-center to give UConn a 4-0 lead that UMass (6-13, 1-5 Atlantic 10) was never able to threaten. He later added a solo shot, almost identical in flight-path, as the Huskies (12-11, 2-4 Big East) cruised to an 8-1 victory - their fifth in the last seven games.

"Overall, I thought it was good," said coach Jim Penders. "We made some mistakes, but George with the 2-out RBI in the first inning after we struggled so badly to do that on Sunday, get RBI with two outs in big spots, I thought from that at-bat we kinda knew. We were in control of the baseball game. And George obviously had a big day."

Sunday's 5-2 loss to Big East rival South Florida in the finale of a three-game set at J.O. Christian had been especially cruel to Springer, who finished the contest with four strikeouts in four trips to the plate. He showed yesterday - like he has all season - that while struggles may arise from time to time, he's more than up to the task standing in against college pitchers.

"Like with all freshmen, there's ups and downs, highs and lows," Penders said. "He obviously has a lot of tools. He's got power, he's got an arm, I love watching him run the bases. He still has a lot to learn. We saw how he can have the highs and lows on Sunday. He saw a lot of sliders. But he hit a breaking ball out today so it's something to build on."

Springer's four homeruns on the year put him second on the club behind slugger Mike Olt who has five. He's also driven in 18 runs and after finishing 3-for-3 against UMass, is hitting at just below the .300 mark in his first collegiate season. Springer was a star at Avon Old Farms, earning All-New England honors in both his junior and senior years. Like his coach, he pointed to pitching as the hardest aspect of the game a freshman is faced with adjusting to.

"It's been tough," said Springer. "From high school at a prep school, you come here and the whole team is a high school three-hitter, and then you get kids on the other team that throw harder, and I would think that the key here is all off-speed stuff. That's all you get. That's been the hardest transition."

Junior right-hander Doug Jennings turned in eight solid innings to get the win for UConn, improving his record to 3-1. He struggled with his command at times, walking five, but staked to a big lead all game, he was able to settle into a groove.

The Huskies travel to Hartford tomorrow to take on the in-state rival Hawks. They return home on Wednesday to take on Boston College.