News

The Boys of Mead: 2015 New Canaan Rams Baseball Preview

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The snack shack got back to business at Mead Park a couple weeks ago. Now the boys of the New Canaan Rams baseball program are getting ready to do the same. After a 2013 season that culminated in the program winning its first state championship since 1950, it was going to be tough for the 2014 Rams to follow such an act. But while 2014 didn’t include any championships (14-6, 12-6 FCIAC) it did feature continued development of some top talent and leaders that are ready to create their own story in 2015. That story begins with the team’s four senior co-captains: outfielder/pitcher Alex LaPolice, pitcher/outfielder David Giusti, shortstop Brandon Abate, and All-State catcher Zack Smith.

News

Five New Canaan High School Seniors Sign Early Letters of Intent to Play Sports in College

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Five New Canaan High School seniors signed early letters of intent Tuesday morning to play sports next year at colleges and universities that have accepted them. The gallery above includes photos and information for each of these Rams student-athletes—congratulations to them and their families. The larger signing that’s expected to include several football players and other sports will come in February, Athletic Director Jay Egan said. (Note: Casey Clifford’s letter from Brown, an Ivy League school, could be called a “likely letter” in that the university, though it offers no athletics scholarships per se, can issue an agreement signifying that it’s committed to admitting a recruited athlete.)

Of Tuesday’s signing in the New Canaan High School gym, Egan said: “It’s just really exciting for the families and the kids. It’s a fresh start for them and a happy day.”

In addition to the NCHS students in the gallery above, Matty Novick’s twin sister Emma—a student at Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich—also signed a Letter of Intent early to play lacrosse at Lafayette.

Sports

New Canaan Baseball Tops New Fairfield as Rajkowski Returns

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For New Canaan’s Dan Rajkowski, opening day could not come soon enough. Almost one year ago to the day, Tommy John surgery put an end to Rajkowski’s junior season, forcing the flame-throwing righthander to the bench during the Rams’ storybook 2013 state title run, and clouding the pitcher’s baseball future. “When I found out that I had to have Tommy John surgery, it was heartbreaking,” Rajkowski told NewCanaanite.com. “I just thought to myself if I ever come back out I’ll make it the best year of my life.”

He’s off to a good start. Rajkowski made a triumphant return to the Mead Park diamond Wednesday night, driving in the first two runs of the game with a booming triple off the tree in right center and–perhaps more importantly–closing out the game with a scoreless 7th inning on the mound, as the Rams began their title defense with an 9-0 win over New Fairfield.