{
  "id": 8086009,
  "title": "Two Connecticut baseball players, friends since kindergarten, commit to UConn",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/two-connecticut-baseball-players-friends-since-kindergarten-commit-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T19:36:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/two-connecticut-baseball-players-friends-193607815.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Blake Huston and Gavin Halovatch, childhood friends who have been baseball teammates since kindergarten, have both committed to play for the University of Connecticut (UConn) baseball program. The pair, who hail from Oxford and North Haven respectively, join a growing list of Connecticut natives who have chosen UConn. Huston, an outfielder/pitcher from Oxford High School, was named a CHSCA All-State selection as a sophomore and was nominated for the top fastball of the 2026 CIAC season. Halovatch, an infielder/pitcher from North Haven High School, was a first-team All-SCC selection in 2026. Both players are excited about the opportunity to play for UConn, a school they have long admired. Huston expressed his joy at staying in Connecticut and wearing the Huskies' colors, while Halovatch highlighted UConn's strong track record of developing players and the convenience of the location. Both players could potentially be versatile players for UConn, with Huston capable of playing both outfield and pitching, and Halovatch likely to primarily play infield positions while also pitching. The two friends plan to continue training together and will have the chance to spend four more years playing baseball together at UConn.",
  "summary": "The two North Haven natives played Little League together and will team up at UConn after graduating in 2028.",
  "key_points": [
    "Blake Huston and Gavin Halovatch commit to UConn baseball program.",
    "Childhood friends from kindergarten, hail from Oxford and North Haven.",
    "Both versatile players, could play multiple positions for UConn."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}