Local roundup: Johnny Rockets takes the lead in ECML series

Groton - Chris Wojick pitched a five-hitter with four strikeouts and an earned run as Johnny Rockets beat Esh's Monday 4-2 in the first game of the best-of-three ECML finals at Washington Park.

Johnny Rockets can wrap up the series with a win tonight at the same site (7 p.m.)

Alec Christian had two hits, including a double, with a run and an RBI for Johnny Rockets and Bob Chmeil added a single, a run and an RBI. Also, Ben Farina scored twice.

Paul Martinez had two hits, a run and a stolen base for Esh's and Brian McGugan added two hits, including a double, and scored.

Potvin tournament (15)

• The Connecticut Raiders won their second championship in three years as they beat the Shoreline Hammerheads Sunday 6-3 in the title game. John Barstow had three hits for the Raiders and Troy Stefanski had two hits. Also, Ross Goblewski, Kendrick Boss, Jack Livingston, Adam Goss and Stefanski combined to pitch Connecticut to victory.

Men's soccer

• UConn senior midfielder Carlos Alvarez and sophomore goalkeeper Andre Blake have both earned a spot on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the highest individual award in intercollegiate soccer presented annually in January during a banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Alvarez had six goals and eight assists last season for the Huskies, while Blake had a 19-3-3 record with a 0.39 goals against average. He was also named the Big East Goaltender of the Year.

New London football

• Football practices begins Wednesday. All athletes are to meet at the locker room at 4 p.m. Paperwork can be obtained in the main office.

Fitch fall sports

• Football practice begins Wednesday at 4 p.m., at the fieldhouse. 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). Athletes must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring their most recent physical form.

All other sports begin on Saturday, Aug. 25. They are as follows: boys' cross country in the gym lobby (9 a.m.); girls' cross country in the gym lobby (9:30 a.m.); girls' soccer on the baseball field (8:30 a.m.); boys' soccer at Cutler Middle School (8:30 a.m.); girls' swimming at Avery Point (5:30 a.m.); volleyball in the large gym (10 a.m.) and field hockey at the Mystic Education Center (9 a.m.).

For more information contact athletic director Marc Romano at mromano@groton.k12.ct.us or (860) 460-2898.