DOWN ON THE FARM
of suffered the first loss of his fledgling career on May 24. Despite give up just one run in six innings of work, the Boston Red Sox first-round pick in 2011 was tagged with the loss against Winston-Salem. The former UConn star has been utterly brilliant in the early part of the season, compiling a 4-1 record with a 0.71 ERA between Greenville and Salem. In 50 2/3 innings, Barnes has an eye-popping 70 strikeouts and just six walks. Opponents are batting just .161 against the hard throwing right-hander. If Barnes continues to dominate like he has, a promotion to AA could happen by mid-summer.
If former star continues to rip the cover off the ball, the former first-round pick of the Texas Rangers could be in line for a promotion, as well. Playing for the Frisco Roughriders (AA), Olt is hitting .317 over his last 10 games with three home runs and 12 RBI's. For the season, the third baseman is batting .285 with 34 RBI's. His 11 home runs rank fourth in the Texas League.
Curt Casali of is putting together an impressive season for the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Detroit Tigers Class A affiliate in the Midwest League. Over his last 10 games, the former Vanderbilt star is hitting .324 with two home runs and six RBI's. For the season, Casali is batting .295 with five home runs and 13 RBI's. He also has a solid on-base percentage (.414) and is doing a great job handling the pitching staff.
Casali's teammate at Vanderbilit and former star Jason Esposito has yet to find the hitting stroke that helped make him a second-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles last summer. Playing for the Orioles entry in the South Atlantic League, Esposito is hitting .243 with one home run and 19 RBI's.
Former Amity High School pitching standout, has started to heat up in the California League. In his last four starts, the former fourth-round pick of the Angels has given up just 5 earned runs in 20 innings of work. For the season, the left-hander is 2-4 with a 4.13 ERA.
of Stratford has found his stroke playing for the Clinton Lumberjacks, the Class A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners in the Midwest League. Over his last 10 games, Paolini is hitting .306 with two home runs and 10 RBI's. For the season, the gritty second basemen is hitting .258 with three home runs and 20 RBI's.
ROWING TO A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The University of Virgina's rowing team won its second national championship in three years on Sunday in New Jersey. The Patch area was well represented with athletes who were part of the Cavaliers winning team. They include: Hunter and Paige Terry (Greenwich), Lizzy Youngley (Wesport), Brittany Wengel (), Emily Pik and Emily Crump (Darien), Betsy and Mary Nilan (Milford), Molly Frear (Wilton) and Cristine Candland (Greenwich).
GOING CUP CRAZY
Milford native of the Los Angeles Kings is attempting to become just the third player from Connecticut to hoist the Stanley Cup. Quick attended for two years before transferring to which just happens to be the prep school transferred to from Cheshire High School. Leetch went on to play at Boston College and then helped the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1994. Leetch also won the Conn Symthe trophy that year as the playoffs MVP. of Trumbull and helped lead the Colorado Avalanche to the title as a rookie in 1996.
STREAKING
The boys volleyball team at takes a 42 match winning-streak into the state playoffs. The Rams are attempting to win back-to-back state championships. Other winning streaks of note:
- Greenwich Tennis (Girls), 17-game winning streak.
- Softball, 16-game winning streak.
- Lacrosse (Girls), 14-game winning streak
- Lacrosse (Boys) 13-game winning streak.
