Bluefish Swat Skeeters, Win Season-Opening Seven-Game Series

By Bob Phillips



The Bluefish return home from the Lone Star State after taking the first
series of the season from the Sugar Land Skeeters.

Sugar Land, Tex. – The Bridgeport Bluefish wrapped up a season-opening seven-game series vs. the defending Atlantic League champion Sugar Land Skeeters with a 6-4 victory before 3,888 fans at Constellation Field on a balmy, 83-degree Wednesday evening. It was the rubber game of the series.

After Tony Abreu, who started the game at shortstop, reached on an infield single in the top half of the third inning, he left the game soon thereafter with an injury. Yefry Reyes, who started at second, moved to short, and Alberto Callaspo, the designated hitter, moved to second base. That meant Bridgeport would lose its DH, and the pitcher would be hitting in Abreu’s spot at the top of the order.

The Bluefish broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth when, with two outs and Jonathan Galvez at second, Reyes was intentionally walked by Sugar Land starting pitcher Michael Nix. That brought up Bluefish starter Cory Riordan, who promptly launched a booming double over the head of centerfielder Anthony Giansanti, scoring Galvez and Reyes to stake the ‘Fish to a 2-0 advantage.

The Skeeters came back when Riordan Anthony Giansanti led off the bottom of the fifth with a double. After Derek Miller flew out to right, Giansanti advanced to third on a single by Josh Prince. Next, Riordan walked Lance Zawadzki on four pitches, loading the bases for Sugar Land with one out. That brought up Jeremy Barfield, who was also walked, scoring Giansanti and cutting the Bridgeport lead to 2-1. The next batter, Andy Wilkins, lined a shot up the middle that was caught by a leaping Callaspo who stepped on second to double up Lance Zawadzki to end the rally. It was the eighth double play turned by Bridgeport in the series.

Bridgeport increased their advantage to 5-1 in the top of the seventh when Reyes drove home a pair with a triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Riordan—the third RBI of the evening for the Killingworth native. The Skeeters trailed 6-4 in the ninth when David Carpenter closed the game out with a scoreless inning of relief for his third save in as many opportunities, as the ‘Fish head back to the Park City with a winning record.

Riordan threw six strong innings, giving up just one run on seven hits, walking three and striking out two, and improved to 1-1 on the young season. Nix (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking one, striking out six, and hitting a batter. Ozney Guillen picked up three hits, which extended his hitting streak to seven consecutive games.

Opening Day for the ’Fish will be Friday when they host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. First pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m. For Bluefish fans unable to attend the season opener, the game will be streamed live at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.

                                                                                                                                                                —With Staff Reports

 

Bluefish Win First Game of 2017

Behind  solid outing from Jonathan Albaladejo, the Bridgeport Bluefish
stopped the Sugar Land Skeeters to earn their first win of the season.

SUGAR LAND, Tex.—After dropping the season opener, 5-3, on Thursday, the Bridgeport Bluefish righted the ship by defeating the defending Atlantic League champion Sugar Land Skeeters, 3-1 before 4,586 fans at Constelation Field on Friday night. The win was the first for Bridgeport in this, the team’s (and the league’s) 20th anniversary season.

The Skeeters scored the game’s first run off Bluefish starter Jonathan Albaladejo, last year’s Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year, in the bottom of the first on a two-out, RBI single by Andy Wilkins that drove in Josh Prince.

The Bluefish evened the score in the top of the fourth. Tony Abreu reached first on a one-out single, and advanced to third on a single by Jeff Burroughs, and scored on a wild pitch by Sugar Land starting pitcher Michael Nix.

Bridgeport took the lead for good in the top of the fifth on a two-out single by D’Arby Myers, driving home Ozney Guillen. Guillen reached first on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Prince, then reached second on a fielder’s choice. He moved to third on a single by Daniel Fields, then came home on a single by Myers. They added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Fields scored on an RBI single by Guillen.

Albaladejo (1-0) earned the victory, allowing just one run on four hits in six innings of work, striking out six. Nix (0-1) was tagged with the loss, surrendering two runs (one earned run) on five hits in six innings pitched, striking out four and tossing a wild pitch. David Carpenter retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, striking out a pair, to earn his first save of the season. Danny Burawa and Manny fired six scoreless innings in the series. Myers and Sean Burrows led the way for the Bluefish with two hits each.

Bridgeport returns home for the first time in the 2017 regular season following their seven game road trip on Friday, April 28^th when they host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. First pitch on Opening Day is scheduled for 4:05. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive schedule posters presented by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. CLICK HERE for tickets.

—Staff Reports

The Long, Sad Story of Aaron Hernandez

By Bob Phillips

The tragic life of Bristol's Aaron Hernandez came to an end last night when
the former Patriot star took his own life in a Massachusetts prison cell.

After their team tanked for the second straight time, losing badly at home to the eighth-seeded Chicago Bulls and falling behind 0-2 in the first round of the playoffs, many Boston fans may have thought the sky was falling. Then, when they woke up this morning, one item in the news put things all in perspective.

Some might call it ironic, others will simply say it’s a tragedy. But when Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his jail cell this morning after apparently taking his own life, it ended one of the saddest stories in the history of Connecticut sports—if not all of American sports.

Let’s start from the beginning. This reporter was covering the UConn football team back in 2006, and Hernandez’s older brother, DJ, was the Huskies’ quarterback. The word around the press box was “Wait, until you see this kid’s brother. He’s out of this world.”

The brother, of course, was Aaron, who went on to fame and fortune as an All-American tight end at the University of Florida, and later with the New England Patriots. (One of the ironies of this story is that the Pats are scheduled to visit the White House today.) But there were signs of trouble even back then.

After growing up in a rough neighborhood in Bristol, he was recruited by Florida where, as a star tight end for the Gators, he got into a bar fight and tested positive for marijuana usage. Those red flags caused his NFL stock to drop, and he ended up being taken in the fourth round in the XXX draft by the Pats. Now, that normally would have been considered a steal of mythic proportions, except by drafting Hernandez, you also drafted his baggage.

Nonetheless, for three years, Hernandez teamed up with Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski, and together with quarterback Tom Brady, may have very well created the top QB-tight end pairing in the history of football. Over that three-year span, Hernandez hauled in 175 passes, and reached paydirt 18 times. For his on-field achievements, he was awarded a $40 million contract extension.

“By the way, the Patriots very rarely rip up a contract,” noted ESPN’s Michele Steele (@ESPNMichele, who was the sports network’s Boston-based bureau reporter from 2013-16. “[This one was] two years into a four-year deal, and they gave him a $12.5 million signing bonus.”

But that was as good as it got for Hernandez. In 2012, he was arrested for the murder of Oden Lloyd and dropped by the Patriots. In 2013, he was indicted for the crime. In April of 2015, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Sandwiched in between was an indictment for a double homicide outside a Boston nightclub in 2012. He was acquitted of that charge on Friday.

Then, last night, Aaron Hernandez’s life came to an end when he reportedly committed suicide in the jail cell that was to be his home for the rest of his time on this earth. And while the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear—a former agent of Hernandez maintains there is “no way” he committed suicide—one thing is absolutely clear: the pain for Aaron Hernandez is over, although the pain he has inflicted on others will likely never end.

As one might expect, the reaction to Hernandez’s ending is somewhat mixed.

“To my friend my brother! Through thick and thin right or wrong we never left each other’s side. Today my heart hurts as I got the worse news I could have imagined” tweeted Mike Pouncey of the Miami Dolphins, who played with Hernandez in college at Florida.

“There are obviously some great athletes who have been despicable people and have done horrible things,” said sports writer Jeremy Schaap. “A life squandered; a life taken—at a minimum one: Oden Lloyd. That’s what we can’t forget here today. Yeah, Aaron Hernandez killed himself; this is a guy who took the life of Oden Lloyd, who tried to cover it up. We’re talking about a cold-blooded killer. There aren’t too many people who are going to mourn his death. They might feel bad about someone who had so much talent and found a way to squander it and hurt other people, but it’s frankly hard to feel bad for Aaron Hernandez.”

And while most of us share Schaap’s sentiments, I feel compelled to throw one thought out that I haven’t heard anyone mention throughout this day: Might a life of heavy steroid usage contributed to the incredibly violent wiring of Hernandez’s psyche? I’m not blaming this on steroids, mind you. Have no definitive proof that Hernandez even used steroids—although pictures of him in his prime playing years suggest he likely did. What I’m saying is that if he did use steroids, is it possible that they contributed to the violent life and ultimately the death of Aaron Hernandez?

It’s a question worth asking. So why isn’t anyone asking it?

Defending Champ Radwanska Commits, Navratilova To Participate in CT Open

By Kristine M. Phillips

Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska has committed to participate in
the 2017 Connecticut Open. This will be the Polish star's seventh visit
to New Haven. 

NEW HAVEN – Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska has committed to play the 2017 Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies. The tournament, which this year celebrates the 20th year of women’s participation, will be played from August 18-26 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. The 28-year-old Radwanska is currently ranked No. in the world. Last year, she stopped Petra Kvitova, who was looking for her record-tying fourth championship in the tournament, in the semifinals before defeating Elina Svitolina in the championship match. This will be her seventh appearance in New Haven.

In addition, 18-time grand slam singles champion Martina Navratilova will participate in the Opening Ceremony prior to the Mon., Aug. 21 evening session, and play in an exhibition doubles match following the 7 p.m. night session match. For one of the two sets, Navratilova will play mixed doubles against Mats Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion. Other celebrity participants will be announced at a later date.

The immortal Navratilova will appear to celebrate
20 years of women's tennis in New Haven.

"The Connecticut Open has long supported women’s tennis at the highest level and has continued to attract a stellar field for two decades,” said Navratilova, a naturalized American citizen who, along with Ivan Lendl, led a wave of great Czech tennis players in the 1970s. “I am excited to come play and to help celebrate 20 years of women’s tennis in New Haven."

Radwanska has won 20 WTA singles titles and two doubles championships, reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in three of the past five years, including her first Grand Slam final in 2012. This will her seventh visit to New Haven.

"It's always special to return to a tournament as the defending champion,” said Radwanska, who lives in Krakow, Poland, the city of her birth. “I'm excited to come back to New Haven and play in front of the fans there for the seventh time."

Tournament director Anne Worcester expressed her delight in the defending champ committing to the main draw, as well as extending a warm welcome to Navratilova, one of the greatest women’s players ever to grace the court. Navratilova’s rivalry with Chris Evert was instrumental in women’s tennis developing into the sport it is today, just as the rivalry between Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe proved to be a boon to the men’s game.

“We are thrilled to welcome Aga Radwanska back to New Haven after an amazing run to the title in 2016, and to have Martina Navratilova, one of the greatest players in the history of our sport, headlining our celebration of 20 years of women’s tennis in New Haven,” said Worcester. “Aga is one of most exciting players in the WTA and a fan-favorite on the tour, and Martina is an icon, one of the most important ambassadors in tennis, and the person we know our fans want to see back on court at the Connecticut Open. Between Aga, Martina, Mats Wilander and other WTA stars, it will be an entertaining night for sure.”

Hall of Famer John McEnroe (left) and Fairfield native James Blake, always
a crowd favorite, will participate in the PowerShares Series men's event.

Tickets for all of the events connected to the Connecticut Open, including the Navratilova exhibition and PowerShares Series men’s matches (Aug. 24-25), which will feature Tennis Hall of Famers Michael Chang and John McEnroe along with Fairfield’s James Blake and defending champion Mark Philippoussis, are available by purchasing a multiple session package. Packages include Weeklong Box Seats (all 14 sessions), After Hours (every evening session and Saturday finals), Final Four (last four sessions which includes PowerShares Series), and Pick Four Flex (choice of four early round sessions).

In addition, daily tickets for the tournament are now on sale. As always, in addition to world-class tennis, many businesses in New Haven will participate in a week-long festival of food, music, and activities such as ShopRite Kids Day (Sun., Aug. 20), Young Professionals Night (Aug. 22), Superhero and Princess Day/Night (Aug. 23), and United Technologies Military Appreciation Day (August 26). For more information about the 2017 Connecticut Open and to purchase tickets visit www.ctopen.org or by calling 203-776-7331

—with staff reports

Sun Tab Maryland’s Brionna Jones

The Connecticut Sun selected 6-3 center Brionna Jones of Maryland in the
first round of the 2017 WNBA Draft. She joins fellow Terps Alyssa Thomas
and Lynetta Kizer on the Sun roster.

By Colleen White

UNCASVILLE – The Connecticut Sun made 6-3 center Brionna Jones their top choice in the 2017 WNBA Draft on Thursday night. Jones, who starred at the University of Maryland, Jones finished her collegiate career with 1,928 points and 1,209 rebounds. She led Maryland to three Big 10 titles and a pair of Final Fours, closing out her career by averaging 19.9 points and 10.9 rebounds as a senior.

The Sun are hopeful that Jones can help offset the loss of team leader Chiney Ogwumike, who had offseason surgery to repair her left Achilles tendon in late November. The former No. 1 overall pick is expected to miss a good chunk of the 2017 season—certainly the early portion thereof—after having missed all of the 2015 season after undergoing microfracture surgery on her right knee.

“Obviously, it fills some need with the loss of Chiney,” said Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller. “We needed some more post depth. [Jones is] a tremendous low-post finisher [with a] tremendous IQ. I can honestly say I talked to a ton of these draftees on the phone. Not one person had a better conversation with me than Brionna Jones. There were lots and lots of mock drafts, [but] not one time in our war room did we think Brionna Jones would drop to eight.”

“I am happy to be a part of the Connecticut Sun,” said Jones, who led the nation in field goal shooting percentage as a junior (.665) and senior (.690).

Jones added that the comfort level of joining Alyssa Thomas, with whom she played with at Maryland, would be reassuring. “Having that person I played with on the team if I need to ask questions, it is going to be a great help,” she said.

In the second round, the Sun selected 6-2 forward Shayla Cooper from Ohio State. Cooper, who averaged 10.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a senior, finished her college career with 1,070 points and 690 rebounds. She had 26 career double-doubles with the Buckeyes.

“I think it will be great,” Cooper said of being selected to the same team as Jones—a Big 10 colleague. “Brionna Jones is a great player. I’ve played against her. I’ve guarded her. She’s a tough player.”

Three picks later the Sun chose Florida State’s Leticia Romero, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist with the Spanish National Team. A 5-8 guard, Romero completed her collegiate career as the ACC’s all-time three-point field goal percentage leader (47.7 percent on 112 of 235 shooting from beyond the arc). She was also the first three-time All-American in FSU history.

Finally, the Sun chose Jessica January from DePaul with the No. 28 overall pick. The Blue Demons’ No. 4 all-time assist leader, January, a CoSIDA All-American, averaged 15 points, 6.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game as a senior, and scored 1,530 points throughout her collegiate career.

UConn, which last year saw its players chosen 1-2-3 (Brianna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck), this year had no players taken until the third round, when Saniya Chong was selected by the Dallas Wings with the 26th overall pick.

The Sun will open the 2017 season on Saturday, May 13 by hosting the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $14 per game and can be purchased by visiting ConnecticutSun.com or calling 877-SUN-TIXX.

—with staff reports