University of Connecticut Athletics
Cape Cod Baseball League Update
8/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Aug. 4, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - With just two days left to the 2009 Cape Cod Baseball League regular season, the University of Connecticut baseball team could possibly have seven current players and three former players participating as coaches in the CCBL Playoffs, beginning Friday, Aug. 7.
It is believed to be the first time in program history that the Huskies have had seven or more players active during the playoffs of the most premier summer collegiate baseball league in the country.
UConn also had the most players out of the BIG EAST Conference playing in the Cape Cod League this summer, while Notre Dame had four, Rutgers had two and both St. John's and Louisville had one.
Pierre LePage has been outstanding for the Bourne Braves this summer, while guiding them to the playoffs with a 23-17-2 record as of Aug. 3. LePage ranks among the top-five in the Cape Cod League in four different categories as he is third in the league in hits with 48 and fourth in batting average with a mark of .314. The UConn junior is also fifth in runs scored (25) and stolen bases (17).
The Huskies' Scott Oberg (two games, 2.1 innings thrown) was a late addition to the Braves' roster after registering four saves in nine appearances for the Lowell All-Americans of the New England Collegiate Baseball League during the month of July. He and LePage have helped Bourne Manager and former UConn baseball player Harvey Shapiro along with his assistant/pitching coach, Josh MacDonald, a former UConn standout pitcher in 2002-06, to the third straight playoff appearance for Braves' ballclub.
The Orleans Firebirds (23-17-2) will be making their second consecutive playoff appearance as they are led by UConn juniors Mike Olt and Elliot Glynn. Glynn, who was named a 2009 Cape Cod League All-Star, is 3-2 this season with a 2.06 ERA in six starts (as of Aug. 3). He has struck out 27 batters in 35.0 innings of work and pitched a scoreless inning at Fenway Park last month in the CCBL All-Star Game. Olt is batting .225 this summer with 27 hits and 14 RBI in 34 games played. He has been stellar defensively at third base, with just two errors all summer.
Making their first playoff appearance since 2006, the Wareham Gatemen have three Huskies on their roster this summer, including 2009 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year George Springer. Springer is currently fourth in the league in RBI with 25, which is also a team-best. Joining Springer are classmates David Fischer and Matt Barnes. Fischer has thrown in 11 games for the Gatemen this year and has struck out 17 batters in 15.1 innings. Barnes is 1-3 with four starts for the club, while striking out 33 in 26.1 innings of work as the Gatemen are 19-17-6 this season.
Former UConn infielder and current UConn assistant coach, Chris Podeszwa is a long-time assistant coach for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and will be leading his team in their first playoff appearance since winning the championship title in the 2007. The Red Sox are leading the Eastern Division with a 26-15-1 record.
In addition to the current and former Huskies who will be participating in the 2009 Cape Cod League Playoffs, CCBL President Judy Walden Scarafile was once a manager for the UConn baseball program in the early 1970's, as she was part of the 1972 College World Series team under head coach Larry Panciera.
