Sports

Wild Wednesday: New Canaan Baseball, Softball Notch Dramatic Wins

By |

Video by SportsFairfield, New Canaan High School junior Alex LaPolice walk off home run May 21, 2014
[Editor’s Note: The video above is courtesy of SportsFairfield—follow them here on Twitter, covering Fairfield, Trumbull Westport and Wilton.]

In one of the most dramatic days on the diamond in recent memory, the New Canaan Rams baseball and softball teams each pulled off improbable–and important–victories over Trumbull High School Wednesday night. Alex LaPolice’s walkoff grand slam capped off an amazing comeback for New Canaan, who entered the 7th and final inning down 4-0. The Rams seemingly had no answers for Trumbull starter Avery Santos, who went into the seventh inning looking to close out the game having given up just five runs through the first six innings. Santos, however, seemed to suddenly tire in the seventh and lose command of his pitches. Two New Canaan hits, a fielder’s choice, and a hit batter closed the gap to 4-1, loaded the bases and brought the potential winning run to the plate.

News

New Canaan’s Bentley and Silvestri: A Diamond Reunion

By |

The New Canaan Rams baseball team has something special going this season, with a deep and balanced roster that has them sitting near the top of the FCIAC. What many may not know is that there’s also something special within head coach Mitch Hoffman’s staff in 2014, as longtime assistant coach Ron Bentley has been reunited with an old friend: first-year assistant baseball coach Chris Silvestri. “It’s nice to see Ron every day,” Silvestri told NewCanaanite.com. “A lot of memories come back when I’m with him.”

The memories stretch back about 30 years, when the two first became childhood pals at East School. The bond grew stronger as Bentley and Silvestri progressed through Saxe Middle School and on the youth baseball and football playing fields, with both blossoming into excellent–but very different–athletes at New Canaan High School.

Around Town

New Canaan Rams Baseball Defeats Norwalk

By |

 

It might be taking a while for the weather to warm up, but even Mother Nature can’t cool off the New Canaan Rams baseball team. Led by an offensive attack that pounded out 11 hits, including a double and home run by senior captain Nick Cascione, the Rams beat Norwalk High School 7-2 Friday night at City Hall Field. The win was New Canaan’s 6th in a row as they improved to 8-1 (6-1 FCIAC) on the season. “The depth of this lineup is good, because we’re not relying on just one or two,” New Canaan head coach Mitch Hoffman told NewCanaanite.com. “It’s nice to see each guy picking each other up.”

Seven Rams batters had at least one hit with senior captain Matt Toth leading the way with 3 singles and a run.

Sports

New Canaan Baseball Tops New Fairfield as Rajkowski Returns

By |

 

For New Canaan’s Dan Rajkowski, opening day could not come soon enough. Almost one year ago to the day, Tommy John surgery put an end to Rajkowski’s junior season, forcing the flame-throwing righthander to the bench during the Rams’ storybook 2013 state title run, and clouding the pitcher’s baseball future. “When I found out that I had to have Tommy John surgery, it was heartbreaking,” Rajkowski told NewCanaanite.com. “I just thought to myself if I ever come back out I’ll make it the best year of my life.”

He’s off to a good start. Rajkowski made a triumphant return to the Mead Park diamond Wednesday night, driving in the first two runs of the game with a booming triple off the tree in right center and–perhaps more importantly–closing out the game with a scoreless 7th inning on the mound, as the Rams began their title defense with an 9-0 win over New Fairfield.

Sports

Road to Repeat: 2014 New Canaan Rams Baseball

By |

 

It’s a tough act for New Canaan Rams head coach Mitch Hoffman to follow. Leading his team to the school’s first state baseball championship in 63 years was probably the top New Canaan sports story of 2013. Even so, Hoffman is not one to look back…especially considering the level of talent the Rams will put on display in 2014. New Canaan will return six starters to the lineup this season. And despite losing two of the best players in the state–Andrew Casali and Casey Ouellette–to graduation, Hoffman thinks this year’s squad has the potential to be even stronger.