By Dave Borges and Henry Chisholm
Masuk senior Thomas Milone, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the third round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft, has decided to go pro and forego a scholarship to play baseball at UConn.
“It was definitely a tough decision,” he said. “(Playing professional baseball) is what I always wanted to do. I felt like it was the right decision for me.”
Milone said he might report to Port Charlotte, Fla. on Monday and begin his career with the Gulf Coast Rays, Tampa Bay’s Class-A short-season affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.
Milone should sign with the Rays this weekend for about $530,600, slot value. The 6-foot, 185-pound lefthanded hitter was the 97th overall pick in the draft. This past Monday he had a physical with the team and said he is excited to get out there and play. The GCL Rays opened their season Friday against the GCL Orioles.
“I’m just ready to start playing baseball again,” he said.
This season at Masuk, he won Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year and batted .471 with 33 hits, 11 RBIs, 27 runs scored and four home runs in 23 games. He was walked a team-high 19 times. Milone also played football for the Panthers and scored 35 touchdowns as a wide receiver.

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Branford 9, North Haven 0: Branford batted around as Tyler Criscuolo, Nick Perrelli, Ben Criscuolo and Augie Torella had RBIs and all nine batters scored. 

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#ctbase-- Welcome to State Final Central. Here you will find game day rosters, previews and live updates from each game. The headlines contain links that will bring you to the CIAC weave to check out the brackets. Click on the "Meet the" link to get game day rosters for the title.

CLASS LL FINAL: No. 6 Amity versus No. 4 Southington 

All You Need To Know About The Big Game

No. 6 Amity 4, No. 4 Southington 0 (fifth inning): Mike Concato continues his dominance of Class LL with his third RBI of the day to score Jake Russo. 

o. 6 Amity 3, No. 4 Stonington 0 (third inning): Mike Concato picked up his second RBI of the day, lining a single to right to score Jake Russo and Justin Ashworth hit a dribbler that scored Concato.

No. 6 Amity 1 No. 4 Southington 0 (first inning): Mike Concato drove in Keith Klebart with a sac fly to give the Spartans an early lead.

No. 6 Amity (21-4)

vs. No. 4 Southington (20-3)

WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Palmer Field, Middletown

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Amity's Mike Concato has yet to surrender a hit during the Class LL tournament. Meanwhile, Southington is averaging 7.3 runs per game. The Blue Knights pitching has also been good, only giving up three runs in three games during the state tournament. The Spartans might have a bone to pick with Southington, as the Blue Knights topped the Spartans 3-1 in last seasons Quarterfinals. Southington edged Glastonbury in extras 3-2 and Amity rallied to top Fairfield Prep 3-2 in the semifinals, so neither team is afraid of crunchtime. If Concato's pitches are working, and the Spartans can tack on at least three runs, they could win the title.

CIAC CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: Amity is 2-2, with its last championship coming in 2007. Southington is 3-7 with its last title coming in 1999 and its last appearance in 2011 ending in a heartbreaking 3-2 10 inning loss to Newington.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: This is the second straight year the Class LL final pits an SCC team against a CCC team. Last season Shelton (SCC) topped South Windsor (CCC) 7-2.

Meet the Spartans 

Meet the Blue Knights 

CLASS L FINAL: No. 4 New Canaan versus No. 2 Waterford

All You Need To Know About The Big Game

No. 4 New Canaan (20-5)

vs. No. 2 Waterford (23-4)

WHEN: Sunday, 12:30

WHERE: Palmer Field, Middletown

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Waterford is arguably the hottest team in the playoffs, riding a 10-game winning streak going back to the regular season. Waterford, which won the Eastern Connecticut Conference championship by topping defending Class L champs Fitch, has only given up three runs during the tournament. Waterford also has two shutout victories. New Canaan's pitching has been strong, too. The Rams have not given up ,ore than two runs in a game during the postseason. 

CIAC CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: New Canaan is 0-2 in the state title, losing its last appearance last season to Fitch. Waterford is 7-3 with the last win coming in 2005 and the last appearance being a 6-4 loss to Montville in the 2010 Class M final. 

YOU SHOULD KNOW: New Canaan, an FCIAC team, could become the team from the conference to win a Class L title since Staples in 2001.

Meet the Rams 

Meet the Lancers 

CLASS M FINAL: No. 11 St. Joseph versus No. 1 Northwestern

All You Need To Know About The Big Game

No. 11 St. Joseph 2, Northwestern 1 (Final/Nine innings):  Matt Batten drove in Brett Olayos with the winning run in the top of the ninth and pitcher Nick Williams pitched a complete game to lead the Cadets to the 2013 Class M championship at Palmer Field in Middletown. 

No. 11 St. Joseph 2, No. 1 Northwestern (ninth inning): Matt Batten drives in Brett Olayos to put the Cadets up with a chance to close out the Class M title.

No. 1 Northwestern 1, No. 11 St. Joseph (second inning): Mike Pulaski scored off an RBI from Jake Amoroso to tie the game in the top of the second.

No. 1 Northwestern 1, No. 11 St. Joseph 0 (first inning): John Lippincott drove in Connor Guiheen with an RBI single to put the Highlanders up early in the Class M title game.

 

No. 11 St. Joseph (19-6) vs. No. 1 Northwestern (23-1)

WHEN: Saturday, 3-30 p.m.

WHERE: Palmer Field, Middletown

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Northwestern's only loss is a 3-0 defeat to Terryville to close the season. Prior to that loss, Northwestern won 19 straight. St. Joseph topped top 10 teams Greenwich and New Canaan during the regular season. The Cadets also beat North Branford, the top seed in the Shoreline Conference tournament, and Montville. 

CIAC CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: St. Joseph has never lost a championship game, going 3-0. Northwestern is making its first appearance.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Trinity Catholoc was the last FCIAC team to play for and win a Class M title in 1993.

Meet the Cadets 

Meet the Highlanders

CLASS S FINAL: No. 6 Oxford versus No. 1 Cromwell 

All You Need To Know About The Big Game

No. 6 Oxford (17-7)

vs. No. 1 Cromwell (22-4)

WHEN: Sunday, 3:45 p.m.

‰WHERE: Palmer Field, Middletown

‰WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Cromwell is looking for back-to-back Class S championships and a pitching staff that has only allowed one run in three games this state tournament might make that a reality. In fact, the Panthers have 11 shutout victories this season. Meanwhile, Oxford fought it's way to the final, topping No. 11 East Granby 2-1 in an 11-inning second round game and a 3-2 triumph over No. 7 Old Lyme in the semifinals. As gutty and gritty as the Wolverines may be, the Panthers pitching staff and championship experience should carry Cromwell to another Class S crown.

‰CIAC CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: This is Cromwell's ninth appearance, winning three and dropping six. Oxford is making its first appearance in the title game. 

‰YOU SHOULD KNOW: This is the first year since 2010 that the Shoreline Conference champion will not win Class S. East Hampton won the Shoreline, but lost to Cromwell in the Class S semifinals. Northwest Catholic won Class S in 2010.