Two UConn greats converge on Nationals' mound

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There was Huskies pride at Nationals Park this week.

In a pairing of University of Connecticut greats, Nats reliever Matt Barnes caught the ceremonial first pitch from newly drafted Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards on Thursday.

“Before I went out to throw out the first pitch, we were [talking] about UConn,” said Edwards. “He said he went back there this year and how much things have changed since he graduated. It’s kind of cool having that blue-blue connection, and it always leaks into the pros. To come from a school like that and to represent it well, I’m pretty happy about that.”

Edwards, 21, was selected by the Mystics with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15. During her senior season, she earned Big East Player of the Week honors twice, recorded 18 double-doubles and averaged 17.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Barnes, 33, was drafted by the Red Sox with the 19th overall pick in 2011. He signed a Minor League deal with the Nationals in March, and he made the Opening Day roster for his 11th Major League season.

“It just speaks to the quality of athlete that UConn continues to produce,” said Barnes. “The university and the coaching staffs and the programs do such a great job of building people into better athletes and better people, that I think it’s just a nice testimony to what they do there.”

Even though Edwards did not play baseball or softball growing up, the elite athlete delivered an impressive first pitch.

“I’m never going to do anything without practicing it,” said Edwards. “We practiced a little bit before I actually went out. Also, when I was at the practice facility, the whole team was rallying behind me, helping me practice.”

Catching the first pitch from Edwards reminded Barnes of the connections the baseball team had with the women’s basketball team when he was in college. During his freshman season, future Olympics gold medalists Tina Charles and Maya Moore were among the standout athletes on the team.

“I was born and raised in Connecticut, went to UConn, so UConn obviously holds a very special place in my heart,” said Barnes, whose wife and brother also attended the school. “You watch what the men’s team has done and what the women’s team does every year. It’s always nice when you get to reconnect with some athletes from school.”

Following the pregame ceremony, Edwards watched the Nationals' series finale against the Dodgers in a suite with other Mystics players. She was joined by teammates including Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Emily Engstler, Stefanie Dolson, Kaylynne Truong, Honesty Scott-Grayson and Jakia Brown-Turner.

“It’s a different feel,” Edwards said of throwing out the first pitch as a WNBA player. “A lot more people recognized me than just going to a traditional baseball game. The city, the community is what really stands out to me -- not only Mystics fans, but also the fans of all the supporting sports around the area. It’s really cool to see and be immersed in that environment.”