Baseball Preview: Villanova at Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. (Interstat) — Connecticut hosts Villanova in a Big East baseball matchup Saturday afternoon at Elliot Ballpark in Geraldton, Ontario.

The Huskies (32-23) carry a 83.3 percent win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, which projects a 7-6 final. Connecticut defeated Villanova 8-0 on Friday and 6-5 on Thursday, extending its winning streak over the Wildcats to two games.

Villanova (18-30) enters on a two-game skid. The Wildcats have dropped four of their last five overall.

Players to Watch

Right-hander Will Parkinson (0-1, 8.00 ERA this season) has been used primarily in relief. In Friday’s loss, he surrendered three earned runs on no hits over 3.2 innings, striking out three. In his last five appearances, Parkinson has allowed seven earned runs in 9 innings pitched, with eight strikeouts.

Right-hander Cayden Suchy (5-2, 2.90 ERA) earned the win Friday, throwing six shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out three. Over his past three outings, Suchy has yielded two earned runs in 15.1 innings with 16 strikeouts.

Recent Results

Connecticut’s offense has been potent. In Friday’s win, DH Chris Polemeni went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, and SS Rob Rispoli hit a home run and drove in three. The Huskies also took two of three at Seton Hall last weekend.

Villanova’s bats have struggled. The Wildcats managed only four hits Friday, with RF Joseph Montgomery going 2-for-4. In Thursday’s 6-5 loss, they rallied late but fell short. Villanova’s last win came May 10 against St. John’s.

Weather

Forecast calls for 52 degrees and cloudy with minimal chance of precipitation.

Series Notes

The teams meet for the third time in four days. Connecticut leads the season series 2-0. The Huskies have won four of five overall against Villanova.

First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.