The Los Angeles Dodgers used 13 pitchers, including rookie Ben Casparius, to pitch 33 consecutive shutout innings starting in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres and in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets continued.

Casparius, an injured replacement on the postseason roster, pitched the ninth inning of Game 1 on Sunday, tying the record. At the time, he had no idea he would launch the team into baseball history.

While the streak ended in the first inning of Game 2 on Monday, the right-hander pitched two more shutout innings for the Dodgers on Wednesday. He has now struck out four batters in three postseason innings.

Both appearances preserved shutouts.

To understand how Casparius got to this point, one must look back to his student years. It's entirely possible he wouldn't be in this position if he didn't transfer from North Carolina to the University of Connecticut after the 2019 season.

“He's a winner. He knows how to win,” UConn head coach Jim Penders said in a phone interview with Dodgers Nation this week. “He was a true two-way player in high school and college.”

Casparius transferred to Connecticut prior to the 2020 season but was not granted a waiver to compete immediately. He redshirted and decided in the spring that he wanted to focus on pitching.

“We thought he would be closer to the big leagues as a pitcher, but ultimately I learned to let the young man make that decision,” Penders said. “When boys come and there aren’t many left, we never said you have to stop X to do j. It was Ben's decision to put the bat down and just concentrate on pitching. It’s just paying off.”

Casparius' growth as a pitcher began from there and has expanded into the major league game. It was on display during the final two innings against the Mets in Game 3 when he faced the core of the order.

His work in two innings resulted in three strikeouts, two fly outs and a ground out.

The rookie has learned to make the most of his opportunities. If he hadn't put the bat down, he might not have been drafted in the fifth round by the Dodgers. If Michael Grove didn't get injured, he wouldn't be on the postseason roster.

But here he is.

“He's obviously very good at setting goals and achieving goals to get to the big leagues as quickly as he has,” Penders said. “I hope he stays there for a long time. He has what it takes and the confidence to do it.

“What a baptism, the final month of the season, finding himself in the National League Championship Series against a team he probably watched a lot growing up as close to New York City as he did.”

Penders desperately wants Casparius to come back and visit Storrs, but he hopes that only happens after he wins a World Series.

Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images