Two Connecticut baseball players, friends since kindergarten, commit to UConn
The list of Connecticut natives to join the UConn baseball program continues to grow.
From players who reached the majors like Matt Barnes (Bethel) and Mike Olt (Branford) to recent successes like 2026 Big East Freshman of the Year Cam Righi (Wethersfield) and 2025 Big East Player of the Year Ryan Daniels (St. Paul), UConn has often taken in the state’s top talent.
In early September, a pair of CIAC baseball players from the Class of 2028 who have been friends since kindergarten announced plans to play for the Huskies, joining Southington’s Class of 2027 commit Luke Prozzo.
Outfielder/pitcher Blake Huston, who attended Oxford High School as a freshman and sophomore but is currently at Shelton, announced his commitment on Sept. 9. Days later, North Haven High School infielder and pitcher Gavin Halovatch did the same.
Huston was a CHSCA All-State selection as a sophomore, primarily for his bat after slashing .500/.580/1.089 (1.669 OPS) with nine doubles, three triples and six home runs. On the mound, Huston has one of the hardest fastballs in the state, regularly touching 90 miles per hour. He was nominated for the top fastball of the 2026 CIAC season.
“It has always been a dream of mine to go to UConn,” said Huston, a North Haven native. “I grew up watching UConn baseball. Being from Connecticut, there is a great sense of joy playing for UConn. When I was given this opportunity, I thought it was perfect for me. I get to stay home, play for a really good baseball school and wear Connecticut across my chest.”
Halovatch was a first-team All-SCC selection in 2026, playing shortstop and pitching for North Haven.
“(Halovatch) is a very competitive player,” North Haven coach Joe Romanelli said. “He came in freshman year and right away everyone knew he belonged, just by the way he composed himself. He is a gamer who will do anything to win a ballgame.”
As a sophomore, Halovatch batted .405 with a 1.050 OPS, eight doubles, two triples, 21 RBIs and 18 runs scored. On the mound, he had a 1.02 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 13.2 innings.
“I chose UConn because they have been a great team that is great at developing players,” Halovatch said. “The academics are very good as well, but the number one reason was location. I think being able to represent my town and home state is something special.”
Halovatch is currently playing football for North Haven after taking last season off from the sport. He scored a rushing touchdown in the team’s opening game.
The longtime friends have continued to train together despite Huston moving to Oxford before his freshman year.
“(Halovatch) and I have been friends for a while,” Huston said. “Me and him started that friendship when we were in kindergarten. We have always trained together, we hit with the same hitting coach, Roberto Mena, who is now the strength and conditioning coordinator at the University of Tampa. We would always work out together. We played Little League together and we have played travel ball together. We have always had a strong relationship, and that will be huge taking that into UConn.”
Both players could have an opportunity to be two-way players at UConn. Huston could be both an outfielder and a pitcher, while Halovatch will likely primarily be an infielder who may also pitch.
“It is great to see one of my childhood friends go to the same college,” Halovatch said. “It is a great feeling to know we will get to spend another four years together.”
Although Huston will be playing his junior season at Shelton, his two years at Oxford helped mold him into the player he is today.
“I love every single coach on the staff at Oxford,” Huston said. “Coach (Susi) took me under his wing my freshman year and gave me the opportunity to be the starting center fielder, number three hitter and the number two on the mound. That gave me a lot of confidence. I couldn’t have had the success I had last year without (Susi) and the coaching staff.”
Oxford coach Brett Susi praised Huston.
“What is fun about coaching a player with that much raw ability at such a young age is that you get to see him mature quickly,” Susi said. “He runs like a deer, he can hit to all fields with power, and he has a great arm. He is as good as anyone at center field, and he was also one of our biggest stolen base threats. While I think he is ahead on the offensive side, he has a ton of talent on the mound. He pitched a lot of big games for us and kept us in those games, including twice against Ansonia, which went to the state championship.”
This article originally published at Two Connecticut baseball players, friends since kindergarten, commit to UConn.
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