Local roundup: Hahn can finally celebrate first victory

Norwich - The Hudson Valley Renegades scored eight runs on 14 hits and got five shutout innings from Groton native Jesse Hahn to earn an 8-3 win over the Connecticut Tigers at Dodd Stadium on Thursday night.

It was the first professional victory for Hahn, the 6-foot-5 right-hander, a Fitch High School graduate who was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2010 Major League Draft only to spend two years recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Hahn then broke his foot in spring training this year before finally getting his chance on the mound for the Renegades in the Class A New York-Penn League.

Hahn, who is on a strict pitch count, was 0-2 with a 4.22 ERA heading into Thursday's game against the Tigers, but pitched five shutout innings in front of a home crowd that included upwards of 100 friends and family members from the area.

Hahn allowed one hit, striking out six and walking none for the Renegades (36-20).

The game featured nine errors between the two teams: five for Hudson Valley and four for Connecticut (24-31).

The Renegades scored three runs in the second inning, capped by an RBI single by Joey Rickard to score Marty Gantt. Hudson Valley added a single run in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Richie Shaffer for a 4-0 lead.

The Tigers scored single runs in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings, but Hudson Valley continued to add to the lead.

Tigers shortstop Jared Reaves was 3-for-5 and Edgar Corcino was 2-for-4.

The Tigers and Renegades finish their series at 7:05 tonight. Left-hander Matt Spann (2-3, 3.49 ERA) gets the start for Hudson Valley against Connecticut righty Endrys Briceno (4-2, 4.53). There will be a fireworks show after the game.

Stewart leads U.S. U18 team

• UConn incoming freshman Breanna Stewart had a team-high 17 points, adding 12 rebounds and three assists as USA Basketball's Women's U18 National Team topped Argentina 68-28 to go to 2-0 in pool play at the FIBA Americas Championship in Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Stewart, from North Syracuse, N.Y., was joined by UConn classmates Morgan Tuck, who scored 12 points, and Moriah Jefferson, with six points, four rebounds and six assists.

?I just wanted to let the game come to me," said Stewart, who had 14 points and seven rebounds at halftime, in a press release. "They were pressuring a lot of our players and it left people open. I just got some good looks."

Fitch fall sports

• Tuesday, Aug. 21 cheerleading practice (conditioning) begins at 5 p.m., in the small gymnasium. Fall sports night is also Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 6:30 p.m., in the auditorium. It's mandatory for all fall athletes (grades 9-12) to be in attendance. Athletes must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring their most recent physical form.

All other sports begin on Saturday, Aug. 25. For more information contact athletic director Marc Romano at mromano@groton.k12.ct.us or (860) 460-2898.