SAN JUAN - The UConn baseball team has announced it will open the 2025 season (Feb. 13-16) in the inaugural Puerto Rico Challenge, produced by JoGi Sports and MB Sports, and presented by Discover Puerto Rico in partnership with Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

The Huskies are one of eight teams participating in the Challenge, a field that includes Michigan, Missouri, Penn State, Rice, Stetson, Villanova and Virginia. Games will be played in the cities of Ponce, at Francisco "Paquito" Montaner Stadium, while contests in Mayaguez will be played at Isidoro García Stadium. Further information about game times,opponents and coverage information will be announced at a later date.

Each of the collegiate teams' student-athletes and coaches involved in the event will also participate in free baseball clinics offered to the island's grammar school-aged children.

Special. Advisors to the event include MLB veterans Eduardo Perez, Edwin Rodriguez and Lou Melendez.

"The Puerto Rico Challenge is a tremendous opportunity for the island to welcome the best teams in college baseball to our world class facilities in an incomparably beautiful setting," said Edwin Rodriguez, Special Advisor to the Puerto Rico Challenge. The former Florida Marlins Manager - and the first Puerto Rican Manager in Major League Baseball history continued, "So many teams have already reached out about playing in 2026 and 2027. It's thrilling to be able to help showcase Division I play on our island and our baseball rich culture, all in the same event."

Perez will lead a group of former collegiate players in Q&A sessions with area youth, discussing how baseball can help them get admitted to prestigious universities which can then yield potential MLB opportunities, as well as set them up for successful careers beyond baseball. A college fair attended by US-based university representatives will introduce local students, parents, and families to a number of schools across the United States.