‘Cats duo combine for 4-hit shutout

NORWICH, CONN. » Tri-City ValleyCats pitchers Cesar Rosado and Colin McKee combined for a four-hit shutout, and Reid Russell delivered all the offense the ‘Cats needed, as they defeated the Connecticut Tigers by a final score of 2-0 on Thursday night at Dodd Stadium in Norwich.

The series finale between the squads was not completed by press time Friday.

Rosado (W, 1-0) got the start for the ‘Cats, and cruised through five innings. He allowed two hits while striking out seven batters. McKee (S, 1) came on in relief to work the final four frames. He allowed just two hits and struck out three.

ValleyCats batters had three hits in the ballgame, and they all came in the second inning. Jake Adams and Kristian Trompiz hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, then Reid Russell smashed a ball to deep center field for the eventual winning two-run double.

The Tigers’ biggest threat came in the ninth inning. With runners on first and second and two outs, Hector Martinez hit a hard ground ball to third base. But Abraham Toro made a game saving stop to prevent a double down the line that may have tied the ballgame. That play loaded the bases, but McKee was able to strike out Joey Morgan to end the threat and the ballgame.

Tri-City improved to 4-6 on the season, and Connecticut fell to 7-3.

Area golf

NENY PGA JUNIOR GOLF TOUR SUMMER CLASSIC » Michael Westfall of Clifton Park shot a 2-over 74 to win the boys 16-18 age division in the NENY PGA Junior Golf Tour event at Eagle Crest Wednesday. He bested Evan Sitts of Oneonta by four strokes and Austin Lunstedt by five strokes.

Jack Manning of Waterford won the boys 13-15 division with a 2-over 74. He edged Saratoga Springs’ AJ Cavotta by a stroke and Paul Goetz III of Clifton Park by two strokes.

Matthew McClenon of Niskayuna topped Kieran Cummins

of Loudonville 48-45 to win the boys 8-12 division. Dixon Boggs of Wilton finished third with 43 points.

On the girls side, Ballston Spa’s Isabella Diaz shot an 87 to win the 16-18 division. She edged Clifton Park resident Emma VanDeCar by a storke and beat Laura Rentz of East Greenbush by two strokes.

Nicole Criscone of Clifton Park won the 13-15 age division with an 80, more than 10 shots ahead of second-place Schuyler Lorette of East Greenbush.

Kennedy Swedick won the 8-12 age group with 34 points while Albany’s Megna Daidu had 33 points and Niskayuna’s Shea Hildenbrandt finished with 26.