University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Old Dominion
BSB Plays Weekend Series at Old Dominion
3/6/2026 8:03:00 AM | Baseball
NORFOLK, Va. - The UConn baseball team (5-7) continues early season non-conference play with a trip to Sun Belt foe Old Dominion (7-4) beginning on Friday, March 6 at 3 p.m. Saturday's game starts at 2 p.m. and the series finale is slated for 12 p.m. All three games can be seen on ESPN+ or listened to on MIXLR.
The Huskies are coming off playing the earliest home opener in program history (March 4) with a victory against New Haven 9-4. Evan Menzel completed the first UConn cycle with an inside the park home run in the eighth inning. Menzel is the first Husky to accomplish the feat since Brian Esposito in 1999.Â
UConn faces the Monarchs for the first time since 2002 when the Huskies traveled to Norfolk (March 16) and won the ballgame 13-5.Â
After a bumpy first four games, the UConn pitching staff has emerged as a big positive for the Huskies to begin 2026. In the last eight games, the Huskies have allowed 26 runs total (3.25 per game). The weekend rotation of Charlie West, Cayden Suchy and Oliver Pudvar have eaten up innings while Charlie Hale, Paxton Meyers and Greg Shaw III have emerged as piggyback options to follow the starters and even close out victories.Â
Offensively, the Huskies got a boost with team captain and leadoff man Rob Rispoli returning to the lineup on Wednesday. The shortstop was a First Team All-BIG EAST performer in 2025 and is looking to break out this weekend. Without 2025 All-American Tyler Minick, the Huskies haven't quite kicked into gear yet offensively but there are glimpses of what the offense can be.Â
Jackson Marshall hit his team-leading third home run of the season on Wednesday and is hitting .300 with nine runs batted in to begin his UConn career. Chris Polemeni has come on strong the last six games and leads the team with a .393 AVG and .541 OBP while also swiping six bases. Nater Wachter has shown his potential with two home runs this season and six extra base hits total.Â
After six runs batted in during a big series win at Arizona, Maddix Dalena is looking to get into rhythm this weekend in the middle of the Connecticut order. The senior captain is tied for the team lead with nine runs batted in. Sophomore Evan Menzel continues to play with a broken left index finger and had the Huskies first four-hit game as part of his cycle on Wednesday afternoon.
