Author Archives: ianbethune

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 5/21/14

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

Stephen signs with Vikings [jim fuller – new haven register]

Former Husky McClain Has An Artistic Side To Him [uconn huskies]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Video: Old Friends, Together Again – Stefanie Dolson & Bria Hartley [sox & dawgs]

Video: Rookie Life – Dolson & Hartley [sox & dawgs]

Brianna Banks Leaves UConn Women’s Basketball Team [sox & dawgs]

Samuelson ready for challenge at UConn [carl adamec – sny uconn]

ASGR’s McCormick: “I Don’t See UConn Losing For A Long Time.” [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Is Samuelson That Good? Kiernan, Davis Think So [rich elliott – ct post]

Samuelson Knew Last Month UConn Was Right For Her [rich elliott – ct post]

Latest UConn recruit “set to flourish” [jim fuller – new haven register]

Katie Lou Samuelson Latest Recruit To Join UConn Women [hartford courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

DeAndre Daniels Draft Combine Interview [uconn huskies basketball]

Top Salaries Among College Coaches [hartford courant]

This Won’t Be Last Time Rumors Of Ollie’s Departure Surface [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Four Huskies Receive All-Conference Honors On Tuesday Night [uconn huskies]

Baseball. UConn Ready To Kick Off Pool Play In The American Championship On Wednesday [uconn huskies]

Field Hockey. Melissa Gonzalez Selected for Field Hockey World Cup Team [uconn huskies]

M. Ice Hockey. Seven underclassmen not returning as UConn readies for Hockey East [sbn college hockey]

Destination Red Sox Nation – 5/21/14

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found below.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

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

Pawtucket Red Sox

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders shutout the PawSox 3-0.

PawSox Shutout by ‘Riders 3-0 [pawsox]

PawSox fail to produce clutch hit in loss to ‘Riders [pawtucket times]

PawSox bats stay quiet, lose third in row, 3-0 [providence journal]

PawSox pitching coach believes young starting pitchers will ‘start in the big leagues’ someday [pawtucket times]

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders @ Pawtucket Red Sox 5/20/14 box score [milb]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2014 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox 2014 stats

International League 2014 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs got all the runs they need in the 4th to beat the Binghamton Mets 2-1.

Johnson Improves to 3-0, ‘Dogs Win 2-1 [portland sea dogs]

Sea Dogs stifle Binghamton, 2-1 [portland press herald]

Deven Marerro is facing up to his future [portland press herald]

Binghamton Mets @ Portland Sea Dogs 5/20/14 box score [milb]

Portland Sea Dogs 2014 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2014 stats

Eastern League 2014 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

The Winston-Salem Dash beat Salem 3-1.

Dash Take Series Opener From Sox [salem red sox]

Former Sox farmhand beats old pals again [roanoke times]

Winston-Salem Dash @ Salem Red Sox 5/20/14 box score [milb]

Salem Red Sox 2014 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2014 stats

Carolina League 2014 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville Drive:

It was a good day for the Drive offense in an 11-1 win over the Asheville Tourists.

Drive Salvage Series with 11-1 Win over Tourists [greenville drive]

Greenville Drive @ Asheville Tourists 5/20/14 box score [milb]

Greenville Drive 2014 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2014 stats

South Atlantic League 2014 Standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

The Lowell Spinners 2014 season kicks off on Friday, June 13 when they’ll host the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Final Lowell Spinners 2013 Roster

Final Lowell Spinners 2013 stats

Final NY-Penn League 2013 Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Lowell Spinners website

Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox kick off their 2014 season on Friday June 20 when they’ll host the GCL Twins.

Final GCL Red Sox 2013 Roster

Final GCL Red Sox 2013 stats

Final Gulf Coast League 2013 Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Video: Red Sox Lose Fifth Straight Game

The story of Tuesday for the Boston Red Sox wasn’t the fact that they lost their fifth straight game. Nor was it that Felix Doubront had to leave the game with shoulder fatigue. The big story was the re-signing of Stephen Drew to a one-year deal.

With Will Middlebrooks out with a fractured finger and the fact that he’s struggled at the plate, the Red Sox needed to explore options for the left side of the infield. With the free agent Drew out there and the fact the local nine was probably going to lose the draft pick attached to him, he was their best option to come in and help out.

So what does this mean for WMB and Xander Bogaerts?

For Bogaerts, it means a move to third base. For WMB, it’s either back to the minors more development, a utility player for the Red Sox or if he can stay healthy, trade bait at the trade deadline.

It’ll be interesting to see what all transpires with this when WMB is back healthy again. But for the next few weeks, he won’t be.

As for Doubront, he said after the game he basically had no feeling in his shoulder. His velocity dipped down and the Blue Jays lit him up like a Christmas tree. He’ll get an MRI today.

PC/MOBILE/TABLET LINK (full game recap)

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check the enemy news, check out the National Post, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and Globe and Mail websites.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: getty images

Brianna Banks Leaves UConn Women’s Basketball Team

STORRS, Conn. – Junior guard Brianna Banks has informed head women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma of her intention to transfer from the University of Connecticut.

“Brianna showed great heart during her time with us, whether it was on the floor or during the rehab process,” Auriemma said. “I wish Brianna nothing but the best in the future.”

“I decided to transfer because I feel like I need a fresh start somewhere closer to home,” Banks said. “I really appreciate all that my teammates, coaches, and the university have done for me and I will miss everyone at UConn dearly.”

Banks, a native of Newnan, Ga., saw time in 90 games during her three years at UConn. She averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game. She averaged 7.3 points and shot 34.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc in the 2012-13 season but that sophomore campaign was cut short by a knee injury on February 2 and she was able to play in only 21 games.

photo credit: cloe poisson – hartford courant

Red Sox Delight – 5/20/14

After being swept over the weekend and then enjoying a day off on Monday, the Boston Red Sox return to action tonight when they’ll host the Toronto Blue Jays in the first game of a three-game set at Fenway Park.

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 Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on Rogers SportsNet. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game (outside of Red Sox and Blue Jays television markets). And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Felix Doubront makes his ninth start of 2014. In his previous eight starts, Doubront is 2-3 with a 4.54 ERA. He made three starts against the Jays in 2013 and was 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA. He’s made 12 career appearances (seven starts) against the Jays and is 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA. Seven of those appearances (four starts) have come at the Fens where he is 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA.

J.A. Happ makes his fourth start in his seventh appearance of 2014. In his previous six appearances (three starts), Happ is 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA. He made two starts against the Red Sox in 2013 and was 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA. He’s made five career appearances (four starts) against the local nine and is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA. He’s pitched a total of 2/3 of an inning at the Fens retiring both men he faced.

23-22		20-23
1. Jose Reyes	SS	1. Dustin Pedroia	2B
2. Melky Cabrera	LF	2. Shane Victorino	RF
3. Jose Bautista	RF	3. David Ortiz	DH
4. Edwin Encarnacion	1B	4. Mike Napoli	1B
5. Brett Lawrie	3B	5. Jonny Gomes	LF
6. Dioner Navarro	DH	6. Xander Bogaerts	SS
7. Steve Tolleson	2B	7. Brock Holt	3B
8. Erik Kratz	C	8. David Ross	C
9. Kevin Pillar	CF	9. Jackie Bradley, Jr.	CF
J.A. Happ	SP	Felix Doubront	SP

NOTES:

The Red Sox have signed Stephen Drew to a one-year contract worth $14.1 million. He’ll receive a prorated amount for the rest of the season.

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 agree to one-year deal with Stephen Drew [clubhouse insider]

Farrell on Stephen Drew: ‘It’ll go a long way to stabilizing the left side of the infield’ [clubhouse insider]

Red Sox re-sign Stephen Drew to one-year deal [csn new england]

Getting Drew back in the Red Sox lineup will be complicated [csn new england]

Stories behind Fenway walk-up songs [espn boston]

Boston Red Sox offense needs some kind of boost [espn boston]

Boston Red Sox re-sign shortstop Stephen Drew [espn boston]

Victorino on adding Drew: ‘It’s a positive thing’ [espn boston]

Red Sox-Blue Jays series preview [full count]

John Farrell on Stephen Drew: ‘We’ve added a very good player’ [full count]

What Stephen Drew’s signing means for Xander Bogaerts and Will Middlebrooks [full count]

Time for Nava, Bradley to swap Sox [pawtucket times]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Blue Jays and Bouncing Back [providence journal]

Red Sox sign Stephen Drew to play shortstop [providence journal]

Updating the MLB draft order after Drew signing [providence journal]

Addition of Stephen Drew means change for Xander Bogaerts, Will Middlebrooks [providence journal]

Doubront aims for first win at home as Red Sox face Blue Jays [red sox]

The Red Sox offseason, revisited: Was there a better way? [alex speier – weei]

Time is Now for Red Sox — as a Team and Individuals — to Start Playing Like Contenders [touching all the bases]

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Patriots Sign Three More Draft Picks; Three Rookie Free Agents

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced on Monday the signing of fourth-round draft pick OL Bryan Stork and sixth-round draft picks OL Jon Halapio and DB Jemea Thomas.

In addition, the Patriots signed rookie free agents CB Malcolm Butler (West Alabama), WR Derrick Johnson (Maine) and LB Taylor McCuller (West Texas A&M).

Terms of the contracts were not announced.

DRAFT CLASS SIGNINGS

Bryan Stork, 23, was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 105th selection overall out of Florida State. It was the first of four fourth-round selections by the Patriots. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder started in 41-of-51 contests that he appeared in, including each of his final 35 games at center. Stork won the Rimington Trophy in 2013, given to the nation’s top center.

Jon Halapio, 22, was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 179th overall selection out of Florida. It was the first of three sixth-round selections by the Patriots. The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder appeared in 51 games with 43 starts and was elected a captain twice by his teammates.

Jemea Thomas, 24, was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 206th selection overall out of Georgia Tech. It was the third of three 2014 sixth-round selections by the Patriots. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder played 54 games, tying for the most in Georgia Tech history, and he played every position in the secondary. Thomas finished his career with 234 total tackles ad nine interceptions.

ROOKIE FREE AGENTS

Malcolm Butler, 24, began his college career at Hinds (Miss.) Community College in 2011 before transferring to West Alabama for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was a first-team All-GSC selection as a junior and senior. Butler led the GSC with 18 passes defensed last season.

Derrick Johnson, 22, tied for the team lead with 60 receptions for 608 yards and two touchdowns in 2013 for Maine. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder finished his college career with 116 receptions for 1,165 yards and four touchdowns.

Taylor McCuller, 24, played in 38 games with 30 starts and finished with 281 total tackles, four forced fumbles and recovered two fumbles. The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder was granted an extra year of eligibility after suffering an injury in 2009 after redshirting in 2008.

Video: Rookie Life – Dolson & Hartley

Former UConn Huskies and WNBA rookies Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley take you through their transition into the pros during training camp for the Washington Mystics.

Video: Old Friends, Together Again – Stefanie Dolson & Bria Hartley

Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley pack up their dorm room at UConn, and reflect on their college careers and longtime friendship as they look ahead to their next step together as rookies on the Washington Mystics.