Aaron Hill has put in the work both in the classroom and on the baseball field.

Hill's work has paid off in the form of a partial scholarship to play baseball at UConn. The Fitch High School shortstop signed his letter of intent Tuesday.

"I like the academics a lot," said Hill, a National Honor Society member. "It has a good school of business. Everyone always has good things to say about Coach (Jim) Penders. He's a great guy. The team chemistry is good. They really have a good team over there."

Hill was a first-team pick to The Day's All-Area baseball team last spring and was also a New Haven Register All-State selection. He batted .345 with 21 RBI, 21 runs, 11 stolen bases and 11 walks as he helped the Falcons to the CIAC Class L championship.

UConn finished 31-27-1 last season and advanced as far as the Big East semifinals. It played in the NCAA Super Regionals during the 2011 season.

"He's one of the few who jumps right into a varsity program as a freshman," Fitch coach Marc Peluso said. "To see him grow and develop as a player from freshman to junior year last year, as a coach, that's what you hope for. He's a kid who buys in. He's a 'yes, coach, no, coach' kind of guy.

"As I said today at our press conference, he just gets it done. He knows what's expected of him and he performs. If he keeps doing that, keeps working at it at that level, he has a chance to do something special, and that's all you can ask for from baseball at that level."

n.griffen@theday.com