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Geraldton, ON (Interstat) — Connecticut hosts Villanova on Friday afternoon at Elliot Ballpark in a Big East baseball matchup, with the Huskies looking to build on a narrow win in the series opener.

The game, originally scheduled as the first of a three-game set, carries postseason implications for Connecticut (31-23) as it seeks momentum entering the final weekend of the regular season. Villanova (18-29) aims to snap a losing skid after dropping Thursday’s opener 6-5.

First pitch is set for 2 p.m. The forecast calls for 55-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

Players to Watch

Villanova (Interstat) — RHP Will Parkinson has been a frequent bullpen option for the Wildcats. In his most recent outing May 10 against Saint John’s, Parkinson threw 4.2 innings of one-hit, shutout relief, striking out one in an 8-2 victory. However, his season has been uneven: he allowed two earned runs in a combined 1.2 innings across two appearances at Georgetown on May 1 and May 3, then gave up three earned runs in 0.1 innings April 17 against Creighton. Over his last five appearances, Parkinson has recorded a 5.14 ERA with six strikeouts in seven innings.

Connecticut (Interstat) — RHP Garret Garbinski has been effective in limited recent work. On May 12 against Northeastern, he threw 4.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts in a 6-10 loss. In his prior outing May 9 at Seton Hall, Garbinski fired a scoreless inning with one strikeout in a 13-1 win. He has not allowed an earned run in 5.1 of his last 6.1 innings pitched.

Recent Form

Connecticut won Thursday’s series opener 6-5, with the Huskies erasing a late deficit. UConn enters after splitting its midweek series with Northeastern, losing 10-6 on Tuesday following a 10-game stretch that included a sweep at Seton Hall (May 8-10) and a series win over East Tennessee State. The Huskies are 6-4 in their last 10.

Villanova, meanwhile, is 3-7 in its last 10. The Wildcats salvaged the final game of a three-game set against Saint John’s with an 8-2 win May 10 but dropped the series two games to one. Prior to that, Villanova took two of three at Georgetown (May 1-3) before splitting a doubleheader at Seton Hall on April 26.

Head-to-Head

The teams have split their season series to date. Connecticut holds a one-game advantage after Thursday’s victory. The Huskies also won the 2025 series, taking three of four.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 Connecticut victory, suggesting another close contest between the league foes.

Up Next

The teams conclude the regular season with a Saturday afternoon game at Elliot Ballpark, first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.