Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a DAILY basis.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Boykin, Collier unbeaten in 3×3 pool play [carl adamec – sny uconn]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Jones looks to reschedule UConn visit, Mitchell’s interest increases [william paxton – ct post]

Other UConn related links

W. Track. Emerson Breaks Own 400m School Record, Punches Ticket to Oregon [uconn huskies]

M. Track. Eric Masington Advances to NCAA Championship [uconn huskies]

Baseball. Madison’s Greg Nappo finding his groove with Jacksonville [new haven register]

After being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays last weekend, the Boston Red Sox look to return the favor this afternoon in the finale of a three-game set at Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Rays television market, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Jon Lester toes the rubber for the 12th time and sixth time at Fenway Park this season. In his previous 11 starts, Lester is 5-6 with a 3.45 ERA. He has not faced the Rays this season and was 2-1 with a 4.32 in four starts in 2013. He’s made 26 career starts against them and is 12-9 with a 4.30 ERA. 17 of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 7-7 with a 4.31 ERA.

Erik Bedard, a one-time member of the Red Sox, makes his ninth start (10th appearance) of 2014 for the Rays. In his previous nine appearances (eight starts), Bedard is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA. He picked up a no decision against the Red Sox on April 29 after allowing one run in five innings of work. He’s made 15 career appearances (14 starts) against the local nine and is 5-5 with a 4.50 ERA. He’s made 13 career starts at the Fens and is 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA.

23-33		26-29
1. Ben Zobrist	SS	1. Brock Holt	1B
2. Desmond Jennings	CF	2. Xander Bogaerts	SS
3. Evan Longoria	3B	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Jerry Sands	DH	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Sean Rodriguez	LF	5. Jonny Gomes	LF
6. Logan Forsythe	2B	6. Alex Hassan	RF
7. James Loney	1B	7. David Ross	C
8. Jose Molina	C	8. Jackie Bradley, Jr.	CF
9. Kevin Kiermaier	RF	9. Jonathan Herrera	3B
Erik Bedard	SP	Jon Lester	SP

NOTES:

3B Garin Cecchini has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room on the 25-man roster, RP Alex Wilson was optioned to the PawSox.

Yunel Escobar was in the original lineup for the Rays and was replaced by Kiermaier

Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

More links (bolded) will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Xander Bogaerts likely to play exclusively third base, might bat leadoff once Stephen Drew returns [clubhouse insider]

Garin Cecchini ‘just trying to live this day’ after being called up to majors [clubhouse insider]

Holt continues strong play with nice snag, first homer [csn new england]

Cecchini ecstatic to be with Sox after call-up [csn new england]

Cecchini soaks in life in the bigs [espn boston]

Updates on Sox DL Guys [extra days]

The tale of the utility men: Brock Holt, Jonathan Herrera key win over Rays [full count]

Is Ortiz “bigger than the game”? Maybe he is [providence journal]

Bogaerts to play third base full-time once Drew arrives [providence journal]

Garin Cecchini is excited and ready to go [providence journal]

Lester, Sox seek sweep of Rays, seventh straight win [red sox gameday]

Red Sox calling up third-base prospect Cecchini [red sox]

A gem worth the wait: Rubby De La Rosa’s lesson in player development [alex speier – weei]

photo credits: getty images, getty images

After walking off with their fifth straight win last night, the Boston Red Sox look to for another win tonight in the second game of three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally on FOX. You can check the map to see if you’re getting the game. However, if you’re an MLB Extra Innings or MLB.tv subscriber that is receiving the other game, you’ll still be able to watch the game on your subscription package. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Rubby De La Rosa makes his first big league start of the 2014 season. He was 2-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 10 starts for the Pawtucket Red Sox. He took the loss in his only appearance of 2013 against the Rays after allowing a run in ⅓ of an inning.

Jake Odorizzi makes his 11th start of the 2014 campaign. In his previous 10 starts, Odorizzi is 2-4 with a 4.56 ERA. He picked up a no decision last Sunday against the Red Sox after allowing one run in six innings of work. He’s made two career starts against the local nine and and has no record with a 1.54 ERA (2 ER/11.2 IP). He allowed one run in 5.2 innings of work in his lone Fenway Park start.

23-32		25-29
1. David DeJesus	DH	1. Brock Holt	3B
2. Ben Zobrist	SS	2. Xander Bogaerts	SS
3. Matthew Joyce	LF	3. A.J. Pierzynski	C
4. Evan Longoria	3B	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. James Loney	1B	5. Mike Carp	1B
6. Desmond Jennings	CF	6. Jonny Gomes	LF
7. Kevin Kiermaier	RF	7. Grady Sizemore	RF
8. Sean Rodriguez	2B	8. Jackie Bradley, Jr.	CF
9. Ali Solis	C	9. Jonathan Herrera	2B
Jake Odorizzi	SP	Rubby De La Rosa	SP

NOTES:

OF/1B Daniel Nava was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for De La Rosa on the 25-man roster.

Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

More links (bolded) will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Dustin Pedroia out of lineup; Red Sox awaiting word on his status [clubhouse insider]

David Price on David Ortiz: ‘We don’t have anything to talk about’ [clubhouse insider]

Merloni: ‘I blame the umpires’ for Sox-Rays fracas [csn new england]

Nava back to Pawtucket to make room for De La Rosa [csn new england]

Sox awaiting MRI results on Pedroia (hand) [csn new england]

Notes: Sox prepared for emotional game vs. Rays [csn new england]

Price: Ortiz probably regrets comments [csn new england]

Notable about the Sox streaks [espn boston]

Sox look to stay hot (and in control) vs. Rays [espn boston]

Cease-fire unlikely for Sox and Rays [espn boston]

Dustin Pedroia of Boston Red Sox out of lineup with hand injury [espn boston]

De La Rosa called up; Nava sent down [espn boston]

Red Sox option Daniel Nava to Pawtucket to make room for Rubby De La Rosa [full count]

Red Sox awaiting MRI results on Dustin Pedroia’s right hand [full count]

John Farrell on Red Sox-Rays tensions: ‘We’ll see what evolves here tonight’ [full count]

Stock of Brock rising: Brock Holt makes case to stick in big leagues [full count]

Joe Maddon on the Red Sox-Rays skirmishes: ‘It’s over’ [full count]

Torey Lovullo breaks down his ejection, hat slam [full count]

Red Sox pregame notes: Jonny Gomes ‘has taken’ left field job, Brock Holt getting groomed for superutility role [full count]

Red Sox rule out fracture, structural damage for Dustin Pedroia’s hand [full count]

Rays pitcher David Price on David Ortiz: ‘We don’t have anything to talk about’ [full count]

John Farrell: “You could make the case” David Price should have been tossed in first inning [providence journal]

Daniel Nava optioned to make room for Rubby De La Rosa [providence journal]

Brock Holt to start seeing reps in outfield [providence journal]

Dustin Pedroia undergoes MRI on hand [providence journal]

De La Rosa to make first start since ’11 vs. Rays [red sox gameday]

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a DAILY basis.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

AAC Announces Football Divisions For 2015 Season [sox & dawgs]

College Football Countdown | No. 93: Connecticut [usa today]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Sagemont guard Prince Ali decommits from UConn [sun-sentinel]

Other UConn related links

American Reinforces Commitment to NCAA Governance Reform [the american]

M. Soccer. Josh Ford Healed From Injuries, Ready To Make Impact On Seattle Sounders [uconn huskies]

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced that two divisions of six teams each will begin play in the 2015 football season, culminating in the first American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

The East-West format was approved unanimously by the conference’s chief executive officers at the league’s annual meetings.

The East Division will include UCF, Cincinnati, UConn, East Carolina, USF and Temple. The West Division will consist of Houston, Memphis, Navy, SMU, Tulane and Tulsa.

Each team will play a total of eight conference games, facing the other five teams in its own division as well as three from the other division, ensuring that each school will play every conference opponent at home and on the road at least once in a four-year cycle. The division winners will play for the conference title at the home site of the highest ranked divisional champion.

“This is an exciting step in the continued development of our conference,” said Aresco. “With our performance on the field and the exposure we received from our media partners, I couldn’t be more satisfied with our first year of American Athletic Conference football. Creating this divisional format will allow us to build upon that success. Our fans will enjoy our divisional play and the championship game that will be established in 2015.

“The East-West format we have adopted gives each division a distinct identity, provides long-term competitive balance and protects traditional rivalries while allowing each school to travel across the conference’s geographical footprint on a regular basis.”

With the addition of East Carolina, Tulane and Tulsa this summer, The American will be comprised of 11 member institutions: UCF, Cincinnati, UConn, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, USF, SMU, Temple, Tulane and Tulsa in 2014-15. Navy joins as a 12th football member in 2015.

The two-division format will come on the heels of a remarkable debut for The American in 2013 and what promises to be an equally successful 2014 campaign.

The American was one of three FBS conferences – along with the Big Ten and the SEC – that had two 12-win teams in 2013, including UCF, which went 12-1 and defeated Big 12 champion Baylor in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The American has the most challenging nonconference schedule of any league in 2014, including scheduled games against 10 teams that were ranked in the top 25 of last year’s final USA Today Coaches’ Poll (South Carolina, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Baylor, UCLA, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Duke, Vanderbilt) and additional games against BYU (three), Georgia Tech, Miami and Penn State.

In addition to the divisional alignment announcement, Aresco confirmed two other football-related procedural items, which were approved by the conference’s athletic directors, to be implemented for the 2014-15 season:

2014 Regular Season Tiebreaker Procedure: For the 2014 season, the American Athletic Conference Football Champion will be the team that finishes the regular season with the highest winning percentage in conference games. If more than one team has the same winning percentage, the tied teams are declared co-champions. To determine the College Football Playoff/Host Bowl representative, the co-champion ranked highest by the College Football Playoff Committee will be eligible to receive the automatic bid shared with Conference USA, the Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt conferences.

2014 Eighth Official: The American will add an eighth on-field official, who will be positioned behind the quarterback, for all of its conference games in 2014 for a one-season trial. The eighth official will also be used in all of Navy’s games in which game officials are assigned by The American. The conference’s head football coaches recommended implementation primarily to enhance student-athlete safety.

After sweeping four games from the Atlanta Braves, the Boston Red Sox will welcome their AL East foes the Tampa Bay Rays to Fenway Park tonight for the first game of a three-game set.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Rays television market, you can catch the game on Sun Sports.  And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Brandon Workman makes his second start (fifth appearance) of the 2014 season. In his previous four appearances (one start), Workman has no record with a 3.18 ERA. His lone start this season came against the Rays last weekend when he picked up a no decision after allowing three runs in five innings of work. He’s made three career appearances (two starts) against the Rays and is 0-1 with a 4.85 ERA. He’s made one start at the Fens against them, taking the loss after allowing two runs in six innings of work last season.

David Price makes his 12th start of the 2014 campaign. In his previous 11 starts, Price is 4-4 with a 4.42 ERA. He picked up a no decision in his lone start of 2014 against the Red Sox last weekend when he allowed five runs in eight innings. He’s made 21 career starts against the local nine and is 10-6 with a 3.09 ERA. 1o of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 6-1 with a 1.88 ERA.

23-31		24-29
1. David DeJesus	DH	1. Brock Holt	3B
2. Ben Zobrist	2B	2. Xander Bogaerts	SS
3. Matthew Joyce	LF	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Evan Longoria	3B	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. James Loney	1B	5. Jonny Gomes	LF
6. Desmond Jennings	CF	6. A.J. Pierzynski	C
7. Wil Myers	RF	7. Mike Carp	1B
8. Yunel Escobar	SS	8. Grady Sizemore	RF
9. Jose Molina	C	9. Jackie Bradley, Jr.	CF
David Price	SP	Brandon Workman	SP

NOTES:

OF/1B Ryan Lavarnway was placed on the 15-day DL with a left hamate bone fracture. He was replaced on the 25-man roster by Milton, MA native OF/1B Alex Hassan.

Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

More links (bolded) will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Red Sox to call up Milton native Alex Hassan, place Ryan Lavarnway on DL [clubhouse insider]

Now, streaky Sox taking advantage of mistakes [csn new england]

Red Sox put Lavarnway on DL because of broken bone in wrist [csn new england]

Farrell: Saturday starter De la Rosa ‘pitching with confidence’ [csn new england]

Drew plays SS for PawSox, could join Red Sox Monday [csn new england]

Streaking Sox renew hostilities with Rays [espn boston]

Nine to Know: Sox Stats Pack – 2014 Sox vs 2004 Sox [extra bases]

BC High Grad Alex Hassan Gets First Big League Call-up As Ryan Lavarnway Heads to DL [extra bases]

Braves reliever David Carpenter reflects on his strange place in Red Sox history [full count]

Red Sox-Rays series preview [full count]

Pedro Martinez on D&H: 2004 Red Sox were ‘like a good date’ [full count]

Kevin Millar on MFB: ‘Manny throwing out the first pitch was great for the fans’ [full count]

A primer on Milton native Alex Hassan as he gets his big league summons [full count]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Rays and a History of Violence [providence journal]

Xander Bogaerts not the first elite shortstop prospect to move to third base [providence journal]

Red Sox expect Stephen Drew to return Monday [providence journal]

Rivalry renewed: Sox-Rays set for Fenway showdown [red sox]

Launching pad to greatness? The eye-popping start of Xander Bogaerts’ big league career in context [alex speier – weei]

Xander Bogaerts Has 298 Plate Appearances in the Majors — His Most Recent is the Most Impressive [touching all the bases]

photo credits: getty images, getty images