For UConn fans, the Huskies' Super Regional against South Carolina got off to an inauspicious start, as ace Matt Barnes was drilled for five runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings, and the Gamecocks took game 1 by a score of 5-1.
Now, the Huskies - just like friend of the blog Cascada up there - will need a miracle to keep their season alive past this weekend. They've spent their best bullet, and now they must take two of three against the defending NCAA champions on their home field.
Tonight, coach Jim Penders will throw redshirt senior Greg Nappo (from Madison, CT) in tonight's do-or-die game; Nappo comes in with a record of 10-2 with a 2.55 ERA, though his season 52-40 strikeout-to-walk ratio is not particularly encouraging. However, there's no doubt that Nappo is the only choice to start this game.
Opposing Nappo will be Colby Holmes (7-3, 3.76 ERA), a sophomore. Holmes doesn't walk many batters (20 in 76 innings), so UConn will have to make their hits count tonight.
First pitch is at 7 p.m., and TV coverage is on ESPNU. I'll be around all game long here and on Twitter, so come join in on what is potentially the final night of UConn's Year of HAM.
Let's go Huskies.