It was an overcast day on the banks of the Hudson River at the beautiful West Point Military Academy as Army played host to UConn in a continuous 7 inning double header. The 14 innings of baseball consisted of some long balls, dazzling plays in the infield, and impressive pitching. Let’s break down players from both clubs and our pick for players to watch in the upcoming 2025 season.
UConn
Gabe Van Emon took the hill to kick things off for the Huskies. Emon is coming off an excellent summer in the Cape Cod league, where he pitched to a 2.65 ERA and was named to the all star team. The southpaw worked a three pitch mix with a fastball ranging 86-88 mph T 90 mph and had good feel for his secondary pitches, which included a mid-70’s breaking ball and a low-80’s changeup. He would find himself in trouble in the 1st after a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases but was able to escape with no runs after a big strikeout. From there it was smooth sailing as he finished his outing with no runs and 4 strikeouts in 2 innings of work. The Huskies will certainly lean on Emon for big innings come the spring.
UConn Athletics
Thomas Ellisen was the next man up for the Huskies and was impressive to say the least. Ellisen is coming off a year where he posted a 6.52 ERA in 17 innings of work but is primed to have a breakout year. The righty primarily worked two pitches, which were his fastball that ranged 89-91 mph T92 and a nasty low 80’s slider. The two pitches had many hitters off balance, which led to 3 innings of no runs, 3 strikeouts, and one hit. Ellisen is still working on his changeup, but if he’s able to throw that in the mix… good luck to everyone else.
Ian Cooke, the reigning Big East Pitcher of the year, was the next man to take the hill, and the hard throwing righty was as advertised. Cooke went undrafted last year, which was a surprise to many, but I'm sure the Huskies are delighted to have him back for another year. Cooke primarily worked his fastball and sharp breaking ball and seemed to rely on that breaking ball pretty often, which resulted in numerous “swords”. The fastball ranged 90-91 mph T92mph, and the breaking ball was consistently in the low to mid 80’s. Cooke finished with 2 strikeouts, only allowing 1 hit. Cooke is primed for another stellar year with the Huskies.
First year southpaw Cayden Suchy was very impressive in his outing. It certainly did not look like Suchy’s first year of college, as he carried a confident demeanor on the mound, which led to a great outing. His fastball had great life, missing barrels with armside run to it, ranging from 87-88 mph T91. He paired that with a breaking ball in the low 70’s. Suchy finished with multiple strikeouts and allowed no hits. It will be interesting to see how Suchy will be used come the spring, but it seems he will become an important part of the Huskies staff.
Offensively, the Huskies utilized the long ball in the early part of this double header but went relatively quiet until they opened the game up in the later innings. The early runs came thanks to a home run belted by redshirt freshman Rob Rispoli and graduate student Sam Biller.
Rob Rispoli hit 8th and had an all around terrific day, which I’m sure elated the UCONN staff. The redshirt freshman did it all, picking up multiple hits, one being the aforementioned homerun, and played a great shortstop. He made an unbelievable play in the hole throwing off balance and getting the runner just in time. Rispoli also flashed plus speed on the bases. A true 5 tool player for the Huskies, with consistency at the plate, he could be a difference maker for them this year.
It's not everyday you see someone leave the sunny, warm state of California for the northeast, but nonetheless, Sam Biller is hitting nukes in the two hole for the Huskies. Biller is a grad transfer coming from Loyola Marymount coming off a season where he belted 12 home runs and I predict that to continue come the spring. He finished with 3 hits, including the homer, and played well defensively in the outfield.
Caleb Shpur batted leadoff for the Huskies and looked every part of a quality leadoff hitter. Shpur’s stat line included multiple hits, but he made loud outs all day, spraying the ball around the field. He flashed plus speed on the bases, recording a stolen base.
Brooklyn native and grad student Bryan Padilla had a respectable day, starting the scoring with a two RBI single, collecting two walks, and showed off smooth hands at second base.
Player to watch: Thomas Ellisen
Army
Bryce Brownlee started the day for the reigning Patriot League champions and flashed signs of a high quality starter. Brownlee would end up giving up multiple runs in his outing but was still able to finish with 4 strikeouts in only 2 innings of work. He worked an effective three pitch mix that included a fastball ranging 87-88 T91, a breaking ball in the mid 70’s, and a low 80’s changeup that had good depth and matched up well against lefties. The senior will be a big part of the chase for 7 straight for the Black Knights.
Army West Point Athletics
Senior right handed pitcher Trey Ates would appear in the game later and had very impressive stuff. He finished with 4 strikeouts in 3 innings of work, giving up no earned runs. He worked a fastball that drew a lot of swing misses that ranged from 85-87 mph and a sweeping slider that was in the low 70’s. He primarily worked those two pitches off each other, and it had the Huskies out of sorts. Ates was a key part of the bullpen for Army last year, pitching to a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings, and they will rely on him heavily again this year.
Offensively, it took a little bit for Army to get going, but they would end up getting on the scoreboard with a 2 run homer by Justin Lehman. Lehman, who is a two way hitter, is typically known for his dominance on the mound after being named Patriot League pitcher of the year and finishing 13th in the nation in ERA. But he made his presence known in this game with the bat.
William Parker picked up right where he left off after a very good 2024 campaign by collecting multiple hits for the Black Knights. The fast twitch righty had great swings at the plate, and it was clear why he finished with 13 home runs last year.
Player to watch: Trey Ates
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-DOGPILE SZN
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