Local roundup: Sun sells out Tuesday’s home game at TD Garden
Mohegan — The Connecticut Sun game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, the first WNBA game ever to be held at storied TD Garden in Boston, is officially sold out, the Sun announced Friday.
The 19,156 tickets sold for TD Garden, home of the NBA champion Boston Celtics, marks Connecticut’s sixth sellout of the season and largest home audience in franchise history.
“We’re thrilled that our first-ever WNBA game at TD Garden, featuring the Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks, has sold out,” Glen Thornborough, President of TD Garden and COO of the Boston Bruins said in a press release.
“This remarkable turnout showcases Boston’s deep support for women’s professional basketball and our vibrant sports scene. TD Garden broke attendance records with the first-ever Dunkin’ Women’s Beanpot earlier this year, and we are proud to keep the momentum and immense support of women’s sport going.”
The Sun are hosting several events leading up to the game, including a Youth Sports Festival, free to the public, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday the New Balance Track (91 Guest Street, Boston), and a watch party for Sunday’s away game at the Atlanta Dream. The watch party for the 3 p.m. game will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Game On! Fenway at 82 Lansdowne Street in Boston.
There will also be a Sun Block Party on Canal Street outside TD Garden from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday. For more information, visit https://sun.wnba.com/boston-game/
"We are thrilled with the reception from the Boston market for our game at TD Garden,“ Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti said in the release.
“It's truly special to make history by hosting the first-ever professional women's basketball game in this arena, known for its incredible basketball prowess and championship culture. ... Women's sports are here to stay, and this is a wonderful celebration and confirmation of that fact.”
• Prior to Friday’s game at Dallas, the Connecticut Sun signed rookie guard Celeste Taylor to a seven-day contract.
Taylor, an Ohio State grad who was originally drafted 15th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, most recently played on a seven-day contract for Phoenix, including appearing in Thursday night’s 85-65 victory over the Chicago Sky. She was waived by the Fever on June 25 after appearing in five games.
Headed into Friday’s game with Dallas, the Sun were short-handed. DiJonai Carrington (personal reasons) and Tiffany Mitchell (illness) were not with the team and Olivia Nelson-Ododa was questionable with a right foot injury.
NECBL
• Waterford’s Connor Podeszwa (Tufts) was one of two members of the Mystic Schooners to be named to the All-New England Collegiate Baseball League first team. Podeszwa, the Schooners closer, was joined on the first team by fellow relief pitcher Max Haug (George Washington).
Podeszwa, who earned the save in the NECBL All-Star Game and helped lift the team to a playoff berth, finished with a 2.70 ERA in 13 appearances. Haug appeared in 12 games, striking out 39 in 25.1 innings and posting a 1.77 ERA.
Mystic third baseman Tyler Minick (UConn) and starting pitcher Connor Harris (Winthrop) were named as honorable mention selections. Minick batted .304 with seven homers and 23 RBI, earning a spot on the East Division roster at the All-Star Game. Harris was 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA and 29 strikeouts. He pitched four scoreless outings for the Schooners.
Calendar
• The 2024 Jimmy Fund One-Pitch Softball Tournament for men’s and women’s teams will be held Sept. 7-8 at Washington Park in Groton. The entry fee is $125 per team. For information, contact Glen Graham at ggraham@groton.k12.ct.us or (860) 445-7926.
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