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Providence Bruins skate past Sound Tigers

By RICK COHEN

Jeff Penner had a goal and two assists and Jeff LoVechio added a goal and an assist as the Providence Bruins defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 4-3, Sunday afternoon at the Dunkin Donuts Center.

 

An exciting first period saw the game tied at two. The Sound Tigers struck first, just 12 seconds into the contest. After Dany Sabourin misplayed a clearing attempt in front of his net, Greg Moore picked up the loose puck and sent it into the slot for Trevor Smith who snapped a quick shot into an empty net for his fifth tally of the season.

 

The first period saw 11 penalties called between the two teams. Bridgeport ’s Trevor Gillies received a five minute major for elbowing at the 15:23 mark

 

Bentivoglio wins it with 10 seconds left

By RICK COHEN

Sean Bentivoglio scored the game winning goal with 10 seconds remaining in regulation and Nathan Lawson made 35 saves as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers held off the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 2-1, Saturday night at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza .

 

The first period ended scoreless, but it was not for lack of action. Both goaltenders made some excellent save, including a sequence late in the period in which Penguins goaltender John Curry made a toe save on a slot shot by Jesse Joenssu leading to a transition rush for Wilkes-Barre that saw Lawson rob Konstantin Pushkarev with a sprawling glove save. Lawson made 14 saves in the opening period to keep the Penguins off the scoreboard.

 

Sound Tigers skate past Worcester

By RICK COHEN

Trevor Smith had a goal and an assist and scored in the shootout and Mikko Koskinen stopped 32 shots in his professional debut as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers won a shootout, 2-0, to earn a 4-3 win over the Worcester Sharks Friday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

 

Worcester jumped on top first, as Jon McCarthy tipped home a blast from the point off the stick of Dan DaSilva, beating  Koskinen at the 8:45 mark of the first period. Mark Katic tied the score with 2:27 to go, ripping a shot past Alex Stalock off a feed from Dustin Kohn. The goal was Katic’s first as a professional. The Sound Tigers took a 2-1 lead into the locker-room after Greg Moore snapped a wrist shot past Stalock with 28 seconds remaining in the frame.

 

Sound Tigers win opener

Andrew MacDonald scored the game winning goal 2:54 into overtime and Sean Bentivoglio added a goal and two assists as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers posted a 4-3 victory over the Lowell Devils in the season opener for both teams Saturday night at a sold out Arena at Harbor Yard.

 

Trevor Smith got the Sound Tigers off to a good start, opening the scoring just 38 seconds into the game. Dustin Kohn put an initial shot on goal that was turned aside by Gerald Coleman but the hard rebound landed right on Smith’s stick and he backhanded it into the top of the net.

 

Utah Grizzlies to host Faceoff Luncheon

The Utah Grizzlies have announced that the public is invited to attend the annual "Face-Off Luncheon" and Media Day Tuesday, October 20 at the E-Center.  Fans can reserve seats for the luncheon by calling (801) 988-8800.  Lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. and the cost is $10 for Grizzlies season ticket holders. The cost for the general public is $20.

Players and coaches will be introduced and Head Coach Kevin Colley will give his comments on the upcoming season.

Bluefish finally win

By POORYA NAYERAHMADI

The Camden Riversharks were defeated by the Bridgeport Bluefish tonight, by a final score of 6-1. Camden starter Kalen Gearhart (1-3) suffered the loss, as he allowed 5 runs on 9 hits in 5 innings pitching. Bridgeport’s Matt Pike (7-9) picked up the win, as he gave up just 1 run and 9 hits in 7.2 innings of work. With the loss, the Riversharks’ second half tally falls to 27-38, while Bridgeport’s improves to 30-35.

The Bluefish jumped out to an early lead, and brought two runs across the plate in the first inning. With two runners in scoring position, third baseman Luis Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Adam Greenberg and advanced Tyrone Pendergrass to third. The next batter was Brandon Sing, who also notched a sacrifice fly, scoring Pendergrass and giving the visitors a 2-0 lead. They would tack on a third run in the 3rd inning, as Sing would once again bring home Pendergrass with a double to deep center field.

Bridgeport would add to their lead in the 4th, and take a 4-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Camden’s Kalen Gearhart walked Pendergrass, giving Ryner Bautista a free pass home. The visitors would score again the following inning, as first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke launched a solo homerun over the left field wall, his 22nd of the year.

Bluefish staggering to the finish line

The Camden Riversharks defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish tonight, by a final score of 9-1. Camden starter Ryan DiPietro (6-10) picked up the win, as he pitched 6 innings of shut out ball, allowing just 4 hits and 2 walks. Bridgeport’s Kyle Jackson (11-11) suffered the loss, as he gave up 7 runs on 8 hits in 5.1 innings pitched. With the win, the Riversharks' second half record improves to 27-37, while Bridgeport’s falls to 29-35.

The Riversharks broke the scoreless tie in the 3rd inning, and took a 1-0 lead. Center fielder Wayne Lydon lined a one out triple down the right field line, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Walker. The run gave Walker his 82nd RBI of the season.

High school soccer roundup

By ROB SULLIVAN

Soccer season is here, and several of our local teams should be competitive on the pitch.

Weston coach Kevin Fitzsimmons is upbeat as the season beckons.

“I have an optimistic outlook for the season especially as the boys have
worked very hard in pre-season and are looking sharper everyday,” said Fitzsimmons. “On the field the boys will be playing a passing and possession game so you
will not see many long balls being played I want all my teams to entertain
me with nice flowing soccer, the way it should be played.”
The Trojan captains are JD Thompson and Dennis Levene, and Fitzsimmons expects the SWC to be a powerful league noting, “I expect every opponent to be strong as they have been coached by the same coach for more than a week, unlike my boys so they should be a lot further on than us in terms of development, but I doubt any of them work as hard as
my boys.”

Joanna Hallac, the Weston girls soccer coach is as enthusiastic about the season ahead as her colleague on the boys side.

Goaltender Lawson is re-signed

The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with goaltender Nathan Lawson.

Lawson spent the majority of last season with the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In 31 games with the Sound Tigers, Lawson posted a 19-9-2 record with a .927 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average. He had a nine-game unbeaten streak to open his career in the AHL, going 8-0-1.

Lawson, who began the season with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, was named to the AHL All-Rookie at the conclusion of the season.

“Nathan had an impressive season last year in Bridgeport,” said Garth Snow, Islanders General Manager. “His competitiveness increases our organizational goaltending depth.”

Prior to last season, the Calgary, Alberta native played the 2007-08 in the ECHL for both the Phoenix Roadrunners and Utah. From 2004-07, Lawson played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage of the WCHA. During those three seasons, he played in 75 games while posting a .906 save percentage and a 3.24 goals against average.

Sound Tigers announce preseason schedule

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have announced the dates and times of their training camp and two pre-season games.

Training camp will take place at the Sound Tigers official practice facility, The Rinks at Shelton in Shelton, from Sept. 22-27. Fans are welcome to attend all on-ice sessions.

The Sound Tigers will play two preseason games this year. Both contests will be against the archrival Hartford Wolf Pack. On Friday, September 25 at 7:00 pm the teams will face-off at the Champions Skating Center in Cromwell. On Saturday, September 26 the Sound Tigers will host the Wolf Pack in a preseason game at The Rinks at Shelton at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Sound Tigers-Wolf Pack game in Shelton will go on sale this Saturday, August 22 at The Rinks at Shelton Customer Service window. For more ticket information, practice times and group discounts, please call The Rinks At Shelton at 203-929-6500 ext 10.

Football is in the air already

By ROB SULLIVAN

Maybe it’s the return of Tom Brady, which has all New England Patriots fans champing at the bit for the National Football League regular season to start. In his first appearance since the 2008 season opener, Brady performed well in the Pats 27-25 preseason win against the Philadelphia Eagles completing 10 of 15 passes for 100 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Or maybe it was watching the New York Football Giants against the Carolina Panthers win their preseason opener in such a bizarre manner. For those who missed it, the Giants and Panthers were tied at 17-17 with 10 seconds left to go in the game when Carolina Panther quarterback Hunter Cantwell faded back to pass from his own 18-yardline.

Cantwell was hit as he tried to throw and Giants defensive end Thomas Hill picked off the ball in midair and romped into the end zone for the winning score with no time left on the clock.

Whatever the reason, many local sports fans, myself included, are starting to focus on football as summer speeds to a conclusion. And, no, I am not giving up on baseball and I am not yearning for the gridiron simply because I am a frustrated Boston Red Sox fan.

Bluefish continue to sag down the stretch

The Long Island Ducks won their fifth straight game on Tuesday before a past-capacity crowd of 6,231 at Citibank Park, defeating the Bridgeport Bluefish 7-4.

The Ducks and Fish traded a pair of runs in the first inning.

Bridgeport pushed ahead in top of the first as Adam Greenberg led off the game with a double and came around to score on a Luis Lopez RBI groundout. Long Island quickly tied it in the last of the frame when George Lombard’s two-out RBI single brought home Lew Ford, who singled to begin the inning.

The second inning would serve similar as once again the Fish took the lead in the top of the frame as Jesse Hoorelbeke led off the inning with a homer to left field off Ducks’ starter Troy Cate. The Ducks quickly tied it on Ford’s RBI sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning.

Fish get fried in Long Island

By CASEY LYNN

The Long Island Ducks won their fourth straight game on Monday before a past-capacity crowd of 6,406 at Citibank Park, defeating the Bridgeport Bluefish 3-2.

Bridgeport starter Dan Reichert’s leadoff walk issued to Lew Ford in the first inning proved costly as George Lombard brought him in with a RBI single to give the Flock a 1-0 lead.

The Fish quickly tied in the subsequent half inning as Wilson Batista’s two-out RBI single off Ducks’ starter Julio Manon plated Brandon Sing, who led off the frame with a double.

Bridgeport took their first lead of the contest in the third as Luis Lopez’ RBI sacrifice fly scored Tyrone Pendergrass, who led off the inning with a triple.

Long Island regained the lead in the last of the fifth. Ray Navarrete’s RBI sacrifice fly evened the score at two and Lombard’s RBI double into right field gave the Flock a 3-2 advantage.

Manon (7-3) tossed six innings, surrendering six hits and two runs, while fanning five. Ron Flores, Jason Olson, Joe Valentine and Billy Simas nailed down the final three innings in scoreless fashion, with Simas notching his league-leading 19^th save. Reichert (10-8) was hit with the loss going eight innings, allowing seven hits and one earned run, while walking five and striking out four.

The Ducks and Bluefish continue their series on Tuesday. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m., with the Citibank Parkgates opening at 6:05 p.m. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Thunderstix, by St. Catherine of Siena.

Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at liducks.com, with Chris King calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

Yan rejoins Bluefish

Bridgeport Bluefish team officials today announced that pitcher Esteban Yan has rejoined the team for the 2009 season.

“We are happy to have Esteban back with the team,” says Bluefish general manager Todd Marlin. “He has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the Atlantic League this year and will help us tremendously as we make our playoff push.”

Yan has appeared in 21 games (18 starts) for the Bluefish in 2009, recording 78 strikeouts and holding opposing hitters to a .241 batting average. The righthander leads the Atlantic League with six complete games and also ranks second in wins (10) and fourth in innings pitched (133.2) and ERA (3.43).

Last season, Yan pitched for Norfolk (AAA, Orioles) of the International League. In 37 appearances with the club, he recorded 55 strikeouts over the course of 47 innings of work. The 33-year-old made his Major League debut in 1996 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, appearing in four contests. The following season, the Dominican native was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the expansion draft. He would spend five years with Tampa Bay , with his best season coming in 1998. In 64 outings, the 33-year-old posted 3.86 ERA with five wins, one save and 77 strikeouts in 88 innings pitched. Over the course of his big league career, Yan has also pitched for the Rangers, Cardinals, Tigers, Angels and Reds. He has appeared in 217 Major League games (118 starts), recording 33 victories, 51 saves and 553 strikeouts in 695 innings of work.

To make room on the roster, the Bluefish have placed pitcher Rob Semerano on the disabled list.

Somerset doubles up Bluefish

By MARC RUSINOFF

The Somerset Patriots defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 4-2 at TD Bank Ballpark on Thursday evening.

 

Bridgeport scored to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after a solo homerun by designated hitter Ryan Radmanovich (4).

 

The Patriots tied the game in the bottom of the second inning after second baseman Matt Hagen doubled and scored on an RBI triple by catcher Travis Anderson to make the score 1-1.

 

The Bluefish scored to regain the lead in the top of the third inning after center fielder Adam Greenberg was hit by a pitched and scored on an RBI triple by left fielder Tyrone Pendergrass for the 2-1 advantage.

 

Bluefish sign Francisco

The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signing of pitcher Alex Francisco. Francisco joins Bridgeport after appearing in 18 games for Minatitlan of the Mexican League (AAA).  Francisco struck out 66 batters in 111 innings and posted a 6-8 record with a 3.89 ERA.

“Alex will be a key contributor to our pitching staff during the final stretch of the season,” says Bluefish general manager Todd Marlin. “We are glad to have him aboard.”

Francisco joins the Bluefish for his first season in the Atlantic League and seventh of professional baseball. Last year, the righthander was 12-1 with 64 strikeouts for Sioux City of the American Association.  The Dominican native posted a 3.31 ERA in 100.2 innings of work. The 29-year-old originally made his professional debut as an outfielder with the Colorado Rockies organization in 1999.  After playing in 52 games as an outfielder in 1999 and 34 games as a first baseman in 2000, Francisco began to pitch in 2001 in the Dominican Summer League.  He spent the next three seasons pitching in the Rockies and Cardinals organizations in the DSL. Francisco’s best season came in 2003 with the DSL Cardinals, posting a 2.57 ERA and 15 saves in 35 innings.

Bluefish lose matinee game

The Somerset Patriots defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 6-5 at TD Bank Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Somerset scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 5-5 tie after shortstop Anthony Granato singled, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error, and scored on a wild pitch for the 6-5 lead.

 

The Bluefish scored in the top of the first inning after third baseman Luis Lopez singled, first baseman Brandon Sing reached on a fielder’s choice, and designated hitter Jesse Hoorelbeke followed with a three run homerun (14) for the 3-0 lead.

 

Bluefish win again

By PAUL HERRMANN

The Bridgeport Bluefish defeated the Somerset Patriots 12-8 in front of 5,752 fans at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday evening.

Bridgeport broke an 8-8 tie in the top of the eighth inning after designated hitter Brandon Sing singled, right fielder Ryan Radmanovich singled, and second baseman Todd Davison singled to score both runners for the 10-8 lead.

 

The Bluefish took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning.  Left fielder Tyrone Pendergrass singled, third baseman Luis Lopez reached on a throwing error, Sing walked, and first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke walked to force home Pendergrass.  Radmanovich followed with a walk to force home Lopez and catcher Luis Rodriguez hit into a fielder’s choice to score Hoorelbeke.  Radmanovich eventually came around to score on an error for the 4-0 lead.

 

The Patriots responded with a run in the bottom of the first inning after center fielder Sean Smith walked and came around to score on a throwing error on a ball hit by shortstop Anthony Granato to cut the lead to 4-1.

 

Sing and Yan honored by Atlantic League

The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced that Bridgeport Bluefish outfielder/designated hitter Brandon Sing has been named the July player of the month.  Teammate Esteban Yan was also named Pitcher of the month, sharing the honors with former Long Island Ducks pitcher Troy Cate.

     “We are very pleased to hear that Brandon and Esteban have been named the recipients for these two awards,” said general manager Todd Marlin. “They have been strong contributors to our success this season on the field and we are happy that they have received these accolades.”

     Sing appeared in 28 games for Bridgeport in July, posting a team-high .375 batting average.  The 28-year-old went 37-for-99 with 30 runs, 12 doubles, four home runs and 20 RBI.  Sing led all Bluefish batters with a 1.108 on-base plus slugging percentage.

    

Utah Grizzlies to host amateur tryouts

The Utah Grizzlies will hold amateur tryouts September 17-19 in the Salt Lake City area. At least one player will be selected from this camp to attend Grizzlies training camp in October. The cost for participating in the tryout will be $100 per player. All players must be 19 or over.

“The Utah Grizzlies are excited to have an opportunity to showcase some great local talent here in Utah,” said Grizzlies Head Coach Kevin Colley. Players will participate in a mini-camp conducted by the Grizzlies coaching staff Thursday and Friday, capped off by a scrimmage on Saturday the 19th. Ticket proceeds from the scrimmage will go to support local Utah hockey organizations, who will also have registration tables setup at the game.

To register or for more information, visit www.utahgrizzlies.com/team/tryout. Players trying out cannot currently be under contract with any professional team