New Canaan Sports Digest Aug 11

In yet another one-run game between the teams, New Canaan lost to Newtown 8-7 Wednesday in the winner's bracket final of the 11-year-old Cal Ripken New England Regionals in New Milford.

All four games between the teams in the postseason have been decided by one run. Newtown has won three of the four meetings after taking two of three in the state tournament.

Newtown took the first contest 2-1 before New Canaan answered with an 8-7 victory to force a deciding game in the state finals, which Newtown won 12-11 in eight innings.

On Wednesday, New Canaan came up short again but not before rallying from a 7-2 deficit after two innings to tie the game at 7-7.

New Canaan scored one run in the third inning to make it 7-3 on Dillon Abate's two-out RBI single. Robby Jones then singled and scored on a wild pitch, pulling New Canaan within 7-4.

In the fourth, New Canaan scored three runs to tie it. Quinn McMahon led off with a walk, Abate followed with a single and Mikey Pelli was hit by a pitch to load the bases. 

Jones ripped a double off the left-field fence, scoring two  runs, before Pelli scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

Newtown scratched out a run in the top of the fifth on a walk, a balk and a wild pitch to regain the lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, JD Sparks delivered a one-out single. Abate followed with a hard shot to right field, but the rightfielder made a great play as he threw out Abate at first base for the second out.  Sparks was stranded at second to end the inning.

New Canaan plays Exeter, N.H., on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the loser's bracket final.

if New Canaan wins, it will get one more crack at Newtown in the finals on Friday at 3 p.m.

New Canaan Field Hockey Association

Registration is continuing for the New Canaan girls field hockey program, which promotes the sport in a fun, safe, and travel-game format for girls residing in New Canaan.

New players to field hockey learn the basic fundamentals while returning players build upon existing skills with an eye toward the high school programs.

Registration for the program started in March and will be ongoing until capacity is met. The program will start Sept. 1 at the track field at New Canaan High School.

New Canaan varsity high school coach Erin Gildea heads the program and will be supported by a strong group of field hockey professionals for our youth teams.

New Canaan girls who will be in seventh and eighth grade this fall are encouraged to join the team, which will compete against other squads in Fairfield County.

The team will meet twice a week - Monday and Wednesday (5-630pm), for practice - and on weekends for a game.

Equipment needed to participate includes shin guards, goggles, sticks, and a mouth piece.  Bob’s Sport’s in New Canaan is offering a package deal on equipment needed after August 17.

Registration fee is $240 and the program runs through Nov. 7. Registration is online at http://www.fcfha.com, click on New Canaan tab.

For more information, call Deborah Dodds at 914.260.0017 or email newcanaanfh@gmail.com with questions.

New Canaan's Andrew Campbell Nominated For Award

New Canaan's Andrew Campbell has been nominated as the U.S. Olympic Committee's Athlete of the Month for July.

A New Canaan High School graduate and Harvard sophomore, Campbell had a tremendous month, winning a bronze medal at the U-23 World Championships in the lightweight men's pair.

He also earned a spot on the  U.S. national team and will compete in the world championships in Bled, Slovenia in late August.

Seventeen athletes have been nominated for the award, including athletes from the Summer Olympic Sports. Campbell stood in third place early Wednesday morning in voting behind weightlifter Darren Barnes and swimmer Ryan Lochte.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS

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