The UConn Huskies will open their 2010 Big East Conference schedule by heading to Big East favorite Louisville for a key matchup that could decide the Big East Conference Champion. UConn will enter the weekend with 12–5 record while Louisville has a 18-2 mark.
The UConn offense is sixth best in the Big East with a .289 average. The top hitter for the Huskies has been redshirt freshman Billy Ferriter who enters the weekend with a .467 average in 14 games. Mike Nemeth is second on the squad with a .429 average, two homers, and 15 RBI on the year. Heading into the season, Mike Olt and George Springer were supposed to be the top hitters on the squad heading into the season. Olt has not disappointed with a .329 average, five homers, and 21 RBI while Springer has struggled as he is hitting only .259 with four homers and 20 RBI.
The UConn pitching staff enters the weekend with a team ERA of 3.79 which is good enough for fourth in the Big East. The rotation is led by junior LHP Elliot Glynn with LHP RS junior Greg Nappo and sophomore Matt Barnes filling the other two spots. Glynn is 2-1 with a 1.46 ERA while Nappo sports a 2-2 record with a 7.97 ERA. Matt Barnes round out the rotation with a 3-0 record and a 3.26 ERA as he is considered the best pro prospect on the pitching staff. Kevin Vance has been solid out of the pen for UConn as he has two saves in six appearances this season.
Louisville’s offensive attack ranks as the fourth best in the Big East with a .335 batting average. The offense has been led by senior Adam Duvall who is hitting .391 with six 
homers and 19 RBI while also having four stolen bases. Ryan Wright has also been strong with a .380 average four homers and 25 RBI. Phil Wunderlich entered the season with high expectations as he has failed to disappoint with a .376 batting average and 10 homers on the year.
Louisville’s pitching is ranked second in the conference with a 3.33 Team ERA. The starting rotation this weekend sees junior RHP Thomas Royse, junior LHP Dean Kiekhefer, and sophomore RHP Tony Zych taking to the hill. Royse gets the ball on Friday night is sporting a 4-0 record while having an ERA of 1.74. Kiekhefer will get the ball on Saturday as he is 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA. Tony Zych will look to turn around his disappointing season on Sunday as he is only 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in five appearances (four starts).
Prediction: UConn shocks Louisville and takes the first and last games of the series behind Glynn and Barnes.
UConn Series Notes
Louisville Series Notes
The Daily Campus Preview (UConn Student Paper)
