Bees Close Out First Half With Walk-Off Win vs. Skeeters

Alejandro De Aza had a pair of hits for the Bees on Sunday, and
leads the Atlantic League with a .350 batting average. (Photo
provided courtesy of Kim DeGasero)

NEW BRITAIN—The New Britain Bees (35-34) defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters (35-35) 3-2 in walk-off fashion in 10 innings at New Britain Stadium on Sunday afternoon to earn a split of the rain-shortened three-game weekend series and the final game for the boys from the Hardware City before the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball All-Star Break.

New Britain starting pitcher Rainy Lara tallied a no-decision in the contest after allowing two runs (one earned run) on three hits in five and two-thirds innings pitched, walking two and striking out five. Sugar Land starting pitcher Carlos Pimentel also did not factor in the game’s final outcome despite tossing five scoreless innings on just two hits allowed, walking two while striking out six.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom half of the sixth inning, New Britain cut the deficit in half as they loaded the bases with nobody out courtesy of back-to-back walks to Darren Ford and Bijan Rademacher and an infield single off the bat of Alejandro De Aza. The next man to step into the batter’s box was cleanup hitter Jason Rogers, who plated Ford with a sacrifice fly for his team-high 50th RBI of the season, third overall in the Atlantic League.

The Bees would tie the game at two in the middle of the eighth thanks to a two-out run-scoring base knock from Logan Moore that allowed Rogers to cross the dish after he singled to lead off the rally and later stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Following a top of the tenth in which winning pitcher Tyler Danish (3-0) did not allow a run, New Britain went to work in the last half of the frame looking to send the fans home with smiles on their faces, and that is exactly what they did versus losing pitcher Danny Reynolds (0-2).

With Jonathan Galvez at second to begin the inning, the batter was Jared James, who proceeded to drop a sacrifice bunt down that was fielded by Reynolds, who attempted to erase Galvez at third base, but the right-hander’s throw was wide of Juan Silverio and headed down the left field line, enabling Galvez to hustle home with the winning run as the Bees closed out the first half of the 2019 regular season schedule on a very positive note, collecting their fifth walk-off victory of the year and 19th in come-from-behind fashion. They also improved to 5-3 in extra-inning contests (2-0 vs. Sugar Land) and 3-3 when free baseball is played in the Hardware City. De Aza and Rogers each had a pair of hits en route to the triumph, with De Aza improving to an Atlantic League leading .350 batting average.

The Bees return to New Britain Stadium on Tuesday, July 16, when they welcome in the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to begin a three-game midweek series and six-game home-stand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. It will be another Two-Fer Tuesday at the ballpark as fans can buy one regular priced ticket and get one free when purchased online at nbbees.com, by phone at 860-826-BEES (2337), or at the Bees Box Office. CLICK HERE for tickets.

—Staff Reports

#BEESBALL // @NewBritainBees // @AtlanticLg

Lynx Sink Sun, 74-71

Former UConn star Napheesa Collier pops in two
of her 10 points in her homecoming to the state
that made her famous.

By Bob Phillips

Photos by Bill Harper

UNCASVILLE—The late, great George Harrison observed that “All Things Must Pass,” and so it went on Saturday when the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Connecticut Sun, 74-71, before 8,076 fans at Mohegan Sun Arena. It was the fourth straight loss for Connecticut—and, more importantly, the team’s first loss at home for the 2019 season. Prior to Saturday’s loss, the Sun had won a franchise-record 11 straight games on their home court.

Odyssey Sims scored 21 points and Sylvia Fowles added a double-double with an 18-point, 11-rebound performance for the Lynx. Saturday also represented a homecoming for former UConn star Napheesa Collier who scored 10 points in her first time back in the Nutmeg State since turning pro. Collier, who graduated this year, ranks No. 3 in scoring, fourth in rebounds and seventh in blocked shots in UConn women’s basketball history. A key member of the 2016 UConn national championship team, Collier averaged a double-double as a senior before being drafted in the first-round (No. 6 overall) by the Lynx.

Jasmine Thomas led the Sun with 16 points, while Alyssa Thomas (11), Courtney Williams (11) and Bria Holmes (10) scored in double digits for Connecticut, which  fell to 9-5 and now trail first-place Washington by a half game in the Eastern Conference race.

Minnesota (8-6) trailed 58-54 entering the fourth quarter. Lexie Brown quickly cut the deficit to one with a 3-pointer and her 3 at the 7:19 mark put Minnesota ahead for good 62-60. Sims made back-to-back jumpers for a 70-65 lead with 2:38 to go.

Robinson made two free throws at 54.2 seconds for a 72-69 lead and then two more after the Sun missed a pair of 3-pointers. Her free throws at 8.2 seconds iced the game.

Jasmine Thomas had 16 points to lead the Sun (9-5).

“Well, disappointing for us to lose at home,” said Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller. “It’s magnified because we take such pride in getting to the finish line at home. Both ends of the floor… You feel like you did a lot of good things defensively and a lot of nights good enough defensively to get that win.”

Miller said his team played well offensively in stretches, but also were sloppy at times.

Courtney Williams (10) puts up two of her 10 points in the
Sun's loss to the Lynx. It was the first time Connecticut ha
lost at home this season--but was the team's fourth loss
in a row.

“We left a lot of points out there with our double figure turnovers in the second half,” he continued. “What really hurt was holding [Minnesota] to 10 points in the third quarter and we couldn’t break away because we had so many turnovers in a stretch. So, double figure turnovers in the second half, [the Lynx] were better in big plays down the stretch and really determined getting to the rim.”

The Lynx, of course, are playing the 2019 season without the services of Maya Moore. The UConn legend, one of the greatest players—if not the greatest—in WNBA history is on sabbatical for the 2019 season. Indeed, while many thought she was simply taking time off to rest from the wear-and-tear from year-round play (most WNBA players, even its best players, need to play year-round abroad thanks to the low salaries offered by WNBA), Moore was, in fact, following her heart. She is spending the 2019 season working toward the release of a man serving a 50-year sentence for burglary and assault in her hometown of Jefferson City, Mo., whom she believes was wrongly convicted.

The Sun will be in action next on Wednesday, July 10 when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Dream at 11 a.m. The game will be televised live on NESN and NBA-TV. Tickets for all games at Mohegan Sun Arena are available now. Visit the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, ConnecticutSun.com or call 1-877-SUN-TIXX to purchase.

Taking Pride

Friday night will be Pride Night at the Mohegan Sun Arena when the Sun host Phoenix Mercury. Pride Night is a celebration of diversity and equality. Tip-off is at 8 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

Friday could see the return of Diana Taurasi to Connecticut. The Mercury guard and UConn legend—herself openly gay—has not played yet in 2019 due to a back injury but has been medically cleared to play. The Hartford Gay Men’s Choir will perform the national anthem prior to the game. Alyson Stoner, an actress, voice artist, singer, dancer and model, will perform at halftime. Stoner, a former Disney star best known for her role in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Cheaper by the Dozen, also authored an article in Teen Vogue last year in which she described falling in love with a woman she met at a dance workshop. She has released 12 singles and served as a backup dancer for Missy Elliott and Eminem.

After the game, fans will have the opportunity to hear from a panel pertaining to LGBTQ+ issues with Sun guard Layshia Clarendon, Mercury forward Brittney Griner, Stoner and Connecticut Kid Governor Ella Briggs, who will also serve as the Guest of the Game. The panel will be moderated by espnW writer Katie Barnes.

“The WNBA has led the charge in its bold stance around diversity and inclusion,” said Vice President of Sports Amber Cox. “Everyone is welcome at Sun games—no o matter race, gender or sexual orientation. It’s truly a wonderful sight to see a melting pot of fans from all over New England gathering at Mohegan Sun Arena sharing their collective passion for Sun basketball.”

The Sun are offering a variety of fan-friendly packages for Pride Night. Packages including a game ticket, a limited-edition Sun Pride T-Shirt, access to the post game panel and a special postgame pool party at the Mohegan Sun Pool start at $30.00. Sun season ticket holders can purchase the Pride Night package of a T-Shirt and party entry for $20 by calling the Sun office at 877-SUN-TIXX. The postgame pool party will feature appearances by members of the Sun who will be available for photos and autographs at the exclusive event. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

—with staff reports