The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, JuIy 4, 2006 - A15 SPORTSa SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sIebIanc@haItonsearch.com Memorable night for Bishop Reding grad ___________________Despite loss, pitching at Rogers Centre thrilhing for Hill By Eamonn Maher SPECIAL TO THE CHAMPION There was no lack of moral support in the audience for Shawn Hill at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday night, as his Washington Nationals took on the Toronto Blue Jays. But the 25-year-old right-handed pitcher - a Georgetown native and graduate of Bishop Reding Secondary School - could have used somne offen- sive support from his Nationals' team- mates, as they were soundly beaten 6-1 by the home side. It was the first time that Hill started a gamne in Canada, and he had about 80 family memnbers and friends in atten- dance. always hoped they'd be around for this, s0 they'll be here (Wednesday) to see me throw. And in that respect, 1 tbink itîIl be nice ibat my family gets to see me throw, more than anything." After tossing four scoreless innings, things unraveled for Hill in the fifth on a two-run triple by Torontos Reed Johnson, as the bail skipped under- neath Washington centre fielder Marlon Byrds glove and rolled to, the fence. Hill gave up four rns on nine hits on the night, watching his record this year faîl to, 1-3 and bis ERA jump to, 4.66. Washington supplied just three sin- gles while Hill was on the mound, and manager Frank Robinson was furious afîerward, calling a closed-door team, up from triple-A New Orlcans by the Nationals, who have been struggling as of late and are experiencing somne injury problemns witb their pitching staff. Hill - coming off major elbow sur- gery that kept him out for the enfire 2005 campaîgn - didn't expect to stick around with Washington for long, but had impressed management with four quality starts heading into Wednesdays game. He was slated to start again last nighî against the Florida Marlins. Growing up a Jays' fan, the local pitcher said he wasn't nervous about pitching in front of so many of bis sup- porters and was poised and confident through bis first four inninga. Hill picked Up his first Major League viy gralluparents nave neyer gotten meeting. win against the Blue laya exacrly îw W * to see me pitch before ai the big-Ieague Its been a whirlwind tour for Hill years ago in Puerto Rico as a member o level, he said before the game. "Tey'd over the past month, after he was called the Montreal Expos. Habs'rookie camp awaits Gleed Blk y Steve LeBlanc cially now that off run this past season should b CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Montreal bas just another feather in bis cap with regarc EAMONN MAHER / sEciAL TO THE CHAMPION HERE'S THE PITCH: Shawn Hill delivers a pitch against the hornetown Blue Iays Wednesday night at the Rogers Centre. ion Gleed would like nothing more than to play at the Bell Centre someday, but woultj be more than content to, compete at another well-known arena this coming faîl. His bid to, do so, begins Sunday, wben the 22-year-old defenceman - a 2004 seventh-round selection of the Montreal Canadiens - bits the ice for a 10-day rookie camp. A strong showing there - as well as at the clubls pre-season prospects tour- nament againat Toronto and Flonida hopefuls in early September - could go a long way toward him cracking the Canadiens' top farm tram, the Copps Coliseum-based Hamilton Bulldogs. Thatîl be a taîl task indeed, espe- draîteo tour more defenceman- including number one pick David Fischer of Minnesota. bard and hope [or the best," said Gleed. "It would Jon GIoed be great to play so close to, home agamn, but if 1 don't make the Bulîdogs theres always the clubs Est Coast affiliate." While Gleed and bis Division 1 Cornell Big Red didn't exactly lare well the one night Canadiens' Director of Player Personnel André Savard came out to, see him play, the NCAA graduate blueliner figures another lengthy play- to bis hockey future. "Having some more team success this year will likely help me," said Gleed, whose Big Red fell just one game short of reaching the NCAAs Frozen Four for a second straight year - losing in triple overtime to eventual national champion Wisconsin. "And from what l've heard they're (Canadiens) happy with my develop- ment." 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