STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut football program will hold a “Women’s Football 101 Clinic” on Wednesday, June 25 in the Burton Family Football Complex and the Mark R. Shenkman Training Center in Storrs.

The event will give women a chance to learn everything from the basic fundamentals of the game to finer intricacies in a fun-filled night. It is a unique opportunity for women to receive instruction right from the Husky coaching staff in UConn’s modern facilities.

The clinic will begin at 5:30 p.m. with registration and a social hour, including a cash bar. Participants will take to the field at 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for lights drills and a real football experience with the UConn coaching staff and players.

The cost for registration is $40, which includes a t-shirt, food and a souvenir item.

All participants are asked to wear athletic clothing and footwear and water will be provided during the clinic.

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE.

STORRS, Conn. – Natalie Butler, who was selected as the 2013-14 Big East Rookie of the Year while competing at Georgetown University, has signed a financial aid agreement to complete her transfer to the University of Connecticut.

Due to NCAA transfer rules, Butler will be forced to sit out the 2014-15 season and she will have three years of eligibility beginning with the 2015-16 campaign.

“I think Natalie is one of the most unique players in the game today,” head coach Geno Auriemma said.  “There just aren’t many 6-5 players in the country and we just had a great one for the last four years, so we know.  Natalie has the potential to be just as good and we are very excited for her to get on campus.”

photo credit: georgetown sports information

After losing for the fifth straight game last night, the Boston Red Sox look to right the ship tonight in the middle game of a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays 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. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Clay Buchholz steps to the bump for the ninth time in 2014. In his previous eight starts, Buchholz is 2-3 with a 6.17 ERA. He got the win against the Jays on April 27 when he allowed three runs over a season-high seven innings of work. He’s made 19 career appearances (18 starts) against them and is 10-5 with a 2.52 ERA. Eight of those appearances (seven starts) have come at the Fens where he is 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA.

Drew Hutchison hits the hill for the 10th time in 2014. In his previous nine starts, Hutchison is 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA. His lone career start against the Red Sox came in 2012 when he picked up the win after allowing one run in seven innings of work. This will be his first career start at the Fens.

24-22		20-24
1. Jose Reyes	SS	1. Grady Sizemore	CF
2. Melky Cabrera	LF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Jose Bautista	RF	3. David Ortiz	DH
4. Adam Lind	DH	4. Jonny Gomes	LF
5. Edwin Encarnacion	1B	5. A.J. Pierzynski	C
6. Juan Francisco	3B	6. Shane Victorino	RF
7. Brett Lawrie	2B	7. Mike Carp	1B
8. Dioner Navarro	C	8. Xander Bogaerts	SS
9. Anthony Gose	CF	9. Brock Holt	3B
Drew Hutchison	SP	Clay Buchholz	SP

NOTES:

The Red Sox made the Stephen Drew signing official today. They placed Felix Doubront on 15-day DL with a left shoulder strain to make room for Drew 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

Red Sox Make Drew Signing Official; Doubront To DL [sox & dawgs]

Felix Doubront strains shoulder after bumping into car door [clubhouse insider]

Red Sox shake up lineup; no plans for Shane Victorino to return to switch-hitting [clubhouse insider]

Futures of Bogaerts, Middlebrooks not how Sox Drew it up [csn new england]

Notes: Doubront (shoulder) placed on 15-day DL [csn new england]

Ben Cherington: Motivations Align With Stephen Drew Signing [extra bases]

Red Sox’ Felix Doubront Hurt Shoulder by Bumping Into Car Door. Yes, Really [extra  bases]

Brock Holt makes compelling case to stay in big leagues [full count]

Buster Olney on M&M: Stephen Drew ‘an upgrade’ for Red Sox [full count]

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington explains re-signing Stephen Drew and team’s outlook for Xander Bogaerts, Will Middlebrooks [full count]

John Farrell on D&H: Red Sox still view Xander Bogaerts as shortstop [full count]

Ben Cherington: Stephen Drew Signing About Improving Red Sox Right Now [nesn]

Looking to buck trend, Sox turn to Buchholz [red sox]

Pedro encourages fans to give Manny warm welcome [red sox]

Club reps for 2014 First-Year Player Draft named [red sox]

Short story takes unhappy twist for Xander Bogaerts [alex speier – weei]

Winners and Losers in the (Overdue and Welcome) Return of Stephen Drew to the Red Sox [touching all the bases]

photo credits: getty images, getty images

As we learned yesterday, the Boston Red Sox and Stephen Drew agreed on a one-year deal worth $14.1 million of which Drew will receive a prorated amount of about $10 million. Today, they made it official.

Here’s the release:

BOSTON, MA-The Boston Red Sox today agreed with shortstop Stephen Drew on a one-year contract through the 2014 season. Drew takes the 25-man roster spot of left-handed pitcher Felix Doubront, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a left shoulder strain. Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

An eight-year major league veteran, Drew played for Boston in 2013, and helped the Red Sox to the World Series Championship. The left-handed batter played in 124 games, all at shortstop, during the regular season and hit .253 (112-for-442) with 29 doubles, eight triples, 13 home runs, 67 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 54 walks.

Drew slugged .443 in 2013, the best single-season mark by a primary Red Sox shortstop since Nomar Garciaparra slugged .524 in 2003 (min. 425 PA). His .435 career slugging percentage is fourth best among primary shortstops over the last eight seasons (min. 2,500 PA) behind only Troy Tulowitzki (.520), Hanley Ramirez (.504), and Jose Reyes (.450).

The native of Hahira, GA tied a single-season career high with 67 RBI in 2013 (also 2008), second among American League shortstops (Baltimore’s J.J. Hardy, 76). He also matched career marks with 16 go-ahead RBI and 10 game-winning RBI, both of which topped the AL as a shortstop, and ranked among AL leaders at the position in walks (T-2^nd) and home runs (T-3^rd).

Against right-handed pitching last year, Drew posted career bests in slugging (.498) and OPS (.876), with nine of his 13 homers coming against righties. Among primary shortstops, he has the third best slugging percentage (.463) and OPS (.813) against righties since the start of 2008, with only Tulowitzki (.528 SLG, .895 OPS) and Ramirez (.499 SLG, .872 OPS) ahead of him.

He hit .306 with a .376 on-base percentage, .571 slugging percentage, and .946 OPS with two outs last year, including a team-best 1.022 OPS with two outs and runners in scoring position.

Drew finished second among 2013 AL qualifiers at shortstop with a .984 fielding percentage, and his eight errors were his fewest in his five seasons in which he played at least 100 games.

All 916 of his career appearances in the field have come at shortstop and his .979 fielding percentage is fifth-best among active players with at least 900 games at the position.

In 53 games from last July 27 through the end of the 2013 regular season, he hit .292 and led primary major league shortstops in slugging (.513) and OPS (.879). He hit .283 with 32 extra-base hits (19 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs) over his last 68 regular season games beginning on June 18.

Drew started all 16 of Boston’s postseason games en route to the 2013 World Series title. In the World Series clinching Game Six, he became the second Red Sox shortstop ever to hit a home run in the Fall Classic, along with Rico Petrocelli in 1967.

Selected by Arizona in first round of the 2004 June Draft (15^th overall), he played parts of seven seasons with the Diamondbacks (2006-12) and Athletics (2012) before joining the Red Sox for the 2013 season. In 936 career regular season games, he has a .264 average, 210 doubles, 60 triples, 90 home runs, 416 RBI, 471 runs scored, 347 walks, and 40 stolen bases. He is a lifetime .275 hitter against right-handed pitching.

His 60 career triples rank fifth in the majors since the start of 2006. Only Jose Reyes (89), Curtis Granderson (76), Carl Crawford (69), and Shane Victorino (68) have more. He has finished among the top five players in triples in the American or National League in four of the last six seasons.

Doubront, 26, took the loss last night in a start against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was removed from the game in the fifth inning after experiencing left shoulder fatigue. In nine starts this season, the left-hander has gone 2-4 with a 5.12 ERA (26 ER/45.2 IP) and 31 strikeouts. Signed by Boston as an international free agent in 2004, Doubront owns a 26-22 record with a 4.67 ERA and 366 strikeouts in 404.1 career innings over 90 major league games (68 starts) from 2010-14.

photo credit: 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

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]

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

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

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

UConn’s Alex Mateas Named To 2014 Rimington Trophy Watch List [sox & dawgs]

Prediction – UConn vs Syracuse in Military Bowl [cbs sports]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Mater Dei’s Samuelson selects UConn [carl adamec – sny uconn]

Samuelson Adds More Depth To UConn’s Class Of 2015 [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Samuelson Commits To UConn [rich elliott – ct post]

Samuelson commits to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Katie Lou Samuelson verbals to UConn [espnW]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Report: Kevin Ollie Agrees To Extension With UConn [sox & dawgs]

Source: Ollie, UConn close on new deal [ct post]

It appears Ollie took best available job — UConn [ct post]

Sources: Ollie, UConn Closing In On Deal Near $3 Million [hartford courant]

Sources: Kevin Ollie on verge of deal to stay at UConn [new haven register]

Other UConn related links

Softball. Softball Coach Karen Mullins To Retire [uconn huskies]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Announces Non-Conference Opponents [uconn huskies]

Baseball. Huskies Arrive In Clearwater For American Baseball Championship [uconn huskies]

Baseball. UConn baseball looks to make waves in AAC tourney [ct post]

Baseball. AAC Tournament: UConn Plans To Step Up [hartford courant]

W. Lacrosse. Lauren Kahn Earns IWLCA Second Team All-America Honors [uconn huskies]

The first watch list for the 2014 college football awards season came out on Monday. Yes it’s only May but it’s never too early to be talking about college football.

UConn Huskies center Alex Mateas was named to the 2014 Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List as announced by the Rimington Trophy committee on Monday.

Mateas started his career at Penn State, redshirting in 2010. He transferred to UConn and sat out the 2011 season per NCAA transfer rules.

He made his debut in 2012 starting five games and playing in a total of a eight. He started all 12 games at center for the Huskies in 2013.

The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football. The 12-year-old award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $100 million for CF Research. The award is voted on by four prestigious committees – American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News, and Football Writers Association of America.

The winner will be honored at the Rimington Trophy Presentation banquet at the Rococo Theater in Lincoln, Nebraska in January 2015.

For more information about the Riminington Trophy, visit there web site: www.RimingtonTrophy.com.

Here’s the full list: