July 28 - Loss to Orioles Force Elimination Game
The Braves fell apart after a controversial call in the eighth inning gave the lead to Youse's Orioles, and were defeated 10-6 in the first game of the Cal Ripken League tournament.

Wednesday's most important play came with Herndon up 6-5 and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, with the bases loaded for the tournament number one seed Orioles. Derrick Brewer (Radford) gave up a single which allowed one runner to score easily, and then a close play at the plate. Johnny Bladel (JMU) threw home to Scott Reed (Bucknell) who appeared to easily apply the tag on the go-ahead run for Youse's Os. The home-plate umpire, however, ruled that Reed missed the tag, and the Orioles took the lead. Clearly mentally shaken, the Braves then committed two more errors in the inning to give the Os its next three runs.

Up until the eighth inning, Herndon's offense was doing well. Ryan Burgess (Radford) had two RBI in the game, and Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) was 2 for 4 and scored two runs.

The Braves will play again today at 4 p.m. in Towson, MD against the Baltimore Redbirds in an elimination game for the tournament. The winner will play again in Bethesda on Friday.

July 26 - Playoff Games to Begin July 28
The top-seeded Youse's Orioles will host the four-seed Herndon Braves at Bachman Park on July 28 at 7 pm. The two-seed Baltimore Redbirds will play as the home team against the three-seed Bethesda Big Train at Shirley Povich Field at 7:30 pm. The following day, regardless of what happens on July 28, the Redbirds will play at Carlo Crispino Field and the Big Train will play at Shirley Povich Field. The Braves finished the regular season with a 22- 20 record.

July 24 - Braves Lose Final 2 Games
The Braves faced the Alexandria Aces for a regular season final DH game. Temperatures were over 100 degrees for the first game and seemed to take most of the Braves energy. The Braves scored early, scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning and added on 2 more in the 3rd to go up 5 - 1. However, the 7th inning would be disastrous as the Aces would score 7 runs to win the DH shortened 7-inning game, 6 - 7.

Nike Kime (VCU) and Scott Reed (Bucknell) each went 3 for 4 and Reed had 5 RBIs and a homerun. John Beasley (U Penn) pitched 6.2 great innings, striking out 8, but would take the loss.

In the 2nd game, the Braves could only manage 4 hits and committed 3 errors, losing 0 - 8. Kevin O'Keefe (Moravian College) pitched 2.1 and struck out 2, but earned the loss.

July 23 - Braves Clinch Playoff Spot
The Braves clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the Cal Ripken League on Friday by defeating the only team that could have overtaken them in the standings, the Rockville Express. Herndon's 4-2 victory was in doubt, with the game tied 2-2 going into the eighth inning, before some clutch hits secured the win.

Ryan Burgess (Radford) hit a one out double to get on base, and two hitters later came home on a single by Brian Deering (Niagra). Paul Rambaud (Villanova) then scored the final run of the game after Jeremy Maas (UPenn) hit in to a fielders choice.

Jay Lynch (Binghamton) pitched seven strong innings and struck out four while only giving up one earned run. Lynch now improves to a staff high of five wins on the year.

Closer Derrick Brewer (Radford) was the final part of important win, striking out two hitters in the final frame to get his league-best ninth save this season.

The Braves will play a doubleheader tonight at the Alexandria Aces, its final two regular season games. The team will begin its pursuit of a championship in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday.

July 22 - Two Wins Ease Pressure for Playoffs
Herndon now has a 2.5 game lead over the Rockville Express for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Cal Ripken League, as the Braves defeated the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts in both games of a doubleheader — 3-0 and 9-8 — on Thursday.

The Braves (21-18) scored all three of its runs in game one in the first two innings, and were able to hold off the Thunderbolts (11-27) after a large rally in game two.

A Scott Reed (Bucknell) single in the first inning of the early game scored both Nick Kime (VCU) and George Piccirilli (VMI), and Herndon added another run in the second inning when Jeremy Maas (UPenn) singled home Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport). Matt Wainman (William and Mary) earned his third win of the season by pitching all seven innings, earning his first complete game and shutout this season, and surrendering just five hits.

Game two was much more offensive affair, with the Braves going down in the second inning 6-2. But Herndon responded in the bottom of the third inning scoring five runs on six hits, with four of the the knocks going for extra bases. The most notable was a two-run home run by Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) hit at least 350 feet to center field.

Matt Paradise (Santa Clara) would later add insurance runs with his first home run of the year, a two-run score pulled over the left field wall.

Derrick Brewer then earned his league-leading eighth save this season for the Braves, recording three strikeouts in his three batters faced.

Herndon plays at Rockville tomorrow, where a win would clinch a playoff spot. The team will be home again on Sunday for the final regular season game, against the Alexandria Aces at 1 p.m.

July 21- Big Win Against Big Train
After two days of rest, the Braves traveled to play the Bethesda Big Train who are currently in 2nd place with their playoff spot secured. It was a huge 6th inning that put the Braves ahead. The game was scoreless through 3 innings, but Big Train struck first and scored one run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Mike Graham (VCU) pitched 5 great innings, allowing only one run and striking out one.

In the 6th, Shannon Mark (CNU) singled to start the inning. George Piccirilli (VMI) followed Mark with a single of his own. Ryan Burgess (Radford) reached base on an error and Mark and Piccirilli both score on a throwing error. Matt Paradise (Santa Clara U) hit a sac fly to score the final run by Burgess.

Chris Yates (William & Mary) came in to relieve Graham in the 6th and pitched 2 innings with no runs allowed. In the 8th inning, Geoff McCowat (American International) came in and struckout 2 in the 8th inning. Big Train pitcher, Brian Hamilton shut the Braves down in the top of the 9th.

The 9th inning was a nail biter. Derrick Brewer (Radford) came in to close the game, but two costly errors allowed runners on the corners and threatened to tie the game. A strikeout, a line drive out, and a fly ball out helped the Braves defeat the Big Train.

July 19 - Game is CANCELED due to Inclement Weather - will be replayed on Thursday, July 22nd at 5:30 pm

July 18 - One Win, One Loss
After losing the lead in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday, eventually losing 5-4, the Braves came back and throttled the Southern Mayland Nationals in game two winning 6-3.

Herndon (18-18) came back in the first game, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead. A two-RBI triple from Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport) allowed Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) and Matt Paradise (Santa Clara) to score, giving the Braves the lead. However, Geoff McCowat (American International) gave up two runs to the Nationals (14-23) in the bottom of the inning and took the loss for Herndon.

Game two had the Braves down 2-1 after the second inning despite an RBI double by George Piccirilli (VMI) in the top of the frame. But Herndon scored two runs in both the third and fourth innings — along with another in the fifth — to take a commanding lead. Jeremy Maas (UPenn) had two RBIs in the second game, and Leach added one of his own after hitting a triple.

Jay Lynch (Binghamton) earned the win in game two, going six innings and getting his fourth win of the year.

Herndon, still in the midst of a playoff race and holding on to the final playoff spot in the Cal Ripken League, will play again tomorrow night at home against Silver Spring-Takoma at 7 p.m.

July 17 - Loss Snaps Winning Streak
None of the Braves' three runs on Saturday night came via a hit, which may have why the team's three game win streak was snapped in its 4-3 loss to Youses Orioles.

Herndon (17-17) scored early against the league's first place team, when Johnny Bladel (JMU) hit into an RBI fielder's choice to score Nick Kime (VCU) in the first inning. Bladel would also get another run batted in with another fielder's choice in the third inning when he scored Jeremy Maas (UPenn). But the team fell down 4-2 after the team's starting pitcher Pat Devlin (Rider) allowed a home run and an RBI double to the Orioles (23-10) in fourth and sixth innings respectively. A seventh inning score by George Piccirilli (VMI) due to a balk was not enough to spur a comeback.

Devlin took the loss, falling to 2-2 this season as Youse's Orioles earned their sixth straight win. Braves reliever Chris Yates (William and Mary) was impressive in three innings pitched, not allowing a run or a hit.

The Braves have just eight games left this year beginning with a doubleheader at the Southern Maryland Nationals today.

July 16 - Great Pitching Helps Cinch Win
While the Braves scored nine runs on Friday night, it was great pitching that should be credited for the team's victory. Matt Wainman (William and Mary) went eight innings, giving up 10 hits and getting his second victory of the year as the Braves beat the visiting Rockville Express 9-4 on Friday night.

Wainman was in a first inning jam, but induced two straight outs with a runner on third base to keep the Express (14-17) scoreless until the fourth inning. This helped, as Braves hitters continued their offensive surges. Herndon had it's seventh (and later eighth) home run in three games in the bottom of the second inning when Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) had a two-run shot. Leach had his best game of the year, getting three hits in as many at bats and scoring three runs. The Braves would add another home run in the sixth inning when Jeremy Maas (UPenn) had a moonball over the left-centerfield wall.

Herndon also scored four runs in the third inning, including an RBI sacrifice fly by Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport) that scored catcher Scott Reed (Bucknell).

With just nine games left this season, the Braves are currently in position for the fourth — and final — playoff spot in the Cal Ripken League. The team will continue their playoff push tomorrow night against Youses Orioles at 7 p.m.

July 14 - Cal Ripken League All Star Game Postponed due to Wet Field Conditions

July 12 - Braves Team Hit Home Run Cycle
The Braves hit for the home run cycle during Monday's doubleheader against the visiting Maryland Nationals, hitting solo home runs, a 2-run shot, a 3-run bomb, and even a grand slam. Having just five home runs as a team going into the final series before the all-star break, Herndon (16-16) swept the doubleheader with pure power and six home runs in the two games, defeating the Nationals (11-21) 9-1 and 7-1.

Herndon's Jay Lynch (Binghamton) gave up a run in the top of the first inning of game one, but quickly watched his offense recover the lead. The Braves took a 3-1 lead on four infield singles and a line drive by Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport), which was followed by a quick three RBI home run from Paul Rambaud (Villanova). Jeremy Maas (UPenn) and Chris Taladay (Central Florida) would also homer in the game to add to the lead.

Game two was no different for the Braves, witnessing another three home runs. Scott Reed (Bucknell) and Nick Kime (VCU) both hit solo round-trippers in the third inning to start the lead. Then with the bases loaded, Ryan Burgess (Radford) hit a no-doubt grand slam over the right field wall to add to his team's runs.

Lynch and Brennan Huelse (VCU) both earned wins for the Braves, who now have three days off for the all-star break. The team has five players in the all-star game, where the Cal Ripken League will face the Valley League all stars at Shirley Povich field in Bethesda, MD on Wednesday night.

July 11 - Double Header at Redbirds
Herndon traveled to play the Baltimore Redbirds for two 7-inning games. In Game #1 the Redbirds took the lead early and never looked back. By the time the Braves put a run on the board, the Redbirds already had a commanding lead of 8 runs and added 2 more in the bottom of the 4th. The Braves scored one more run in the top of the 5th, but were unable to do more at the plate.

George Piccirilli (VMI) went 3 for 3 with an RBI and teammate, Jeremy Maas (U Penn) got a hit and an RBI. The loss fell to John Beasley (U Penn) who pitched 2.1 innings, struckout 3 Redbirds with 8 earned runs. Brian Deering (Niagara) pitched 3.2 innings, striking out 4 with 2 earned runs. Final Score, 2 - 10.

In Game #2 - the Braves had a chance to win the game, but were unable to generate late game runs. The Redbirds took the early lead in the 2nd inning. The Braves fought back in the 5th inning, scoring 5 runs. In the bottom of the 6th, the Redbirds scored 4 more, eventually defeating the Braves. Kevin O'Keefe (Moravian) pitched the 1st inning and was relieved by Chris Yates (William & Mary) who pitched 3.2 innings, striking out 5 batters. The loss fell to Geoff McCowat (American International) who pitched 1.1 innings.

Brian Deering (Niagara) who pitched in Game #1 went 3 for 3 at the plate, with an RBI. Ryan Burgess (Radford) went 2 for 3, and Johnny Bladel (JMU) got one hit, but had 2 RBIs. Final Score, 4 - 6.

July 9 - Braves Back to .500
Herndon's Pat Devlin (Rider) earned his second win of the season, as the Braves gave up just three hits to the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts on Friday night and played the entire game with a lead after the first inning.

The 4-1 victory for Herndon (14-14) at the Thunderbolts (8-18) was dominant, especially since the Braves scored on just the second batter of the game when Nick Kime (VCU) hit his first home run of the season. Herndon extended its lead in the fifth when Kime and Paul Rambaud (Villanova) scored runs to make it a 3-0 game. Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) also scored for the Braves, in the sixth inning, to get the team's fourth run.

Devlin gave up just two hits in six innings, and the only run of the game for Silver Spring-Takoma was an unearned score given up by Geoff McCowatt (American International). Derrick Brewer (Radford) pitched the ninth inning for Herndon, and went three up-three down to lower his ERA to an astounding 0.42.

The Braves will be home again tonight at 7 p.m. against the Maryland Nationals before playing a doubleheader away on Sunday.

July 8 - Loss at Home
The Braves took a fourth-inning lead in what was a pitchers duel, but were shut down by the Rockville Express pitchers in Thursday 6-1 loss.

Herndon (13-14) and Rockville (14-11) were both scoreless through the first three innings, with both sides garnering just one hit, until the bottom of the fourth inning went the Braves way. Johnny Bladel (JMU) stole his league-leading 20th base of the season to move from first to second, and eventually came home on a Chris Taladay (Central Florida) sacrifice fly.

Yet, the lead was given away in the sixth inning the Express took advantage of Matt Wainman (William and Mary) for three runs. Until the sixth, Wainman had given up just three hits. More late runs made the Rockville lead grow, and in the end it was four errors committed by Herndon fielders that gave away the game.

July 3- DH = Double Win
The Braves played the Youse's Orioles in a DH that resulted in two, much needed W's for the Braves. The games were 7 innings each, but the Braves took advantage. In Game 1, the pitching staff for both teams controlled the game. Brennan Huelse (VCU) pitched 5 innings, giving up just one hit and striking out 6. The Braves scored their only run in the bottom of the 2nd inning, but that was all they would need to get the win, 1 - 0. Highlights for Braves hitters were Chris Taladay (UCF) going 2 for 3, and Shannon Mark (CNU) going 1 for 2. Derek Brewer (Radford) pitched 2 scoreless innings with 2 K's. Final Score, 1 - 0.

In Game 2 - the Braves took the early lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. They added a run in the 5th and 6th innings, but again, that was enough. The Orioles threatened to close the gap in the top of the 7th when they got one batter across the plate, but amazing pitching by Jay Lynch (Binghamton) kept the game in the hands of the Braves. Lynch pitched all 7 innings, with 5 hits and 5 strikeouts. Standouts at the plate were Nick Kime (VCU) who went 3 for 3 with an RBI, Jeremy Maas (U Penn) who went 2 for 3, and Paul Rambaud (Villanova) who went 2 for 3. Final Score, 3 - 1.

July 2 - Big Train Overpowers Braves
The Braves faced Big Train on a nice Friday night. John Beasley (U Penn) started on the mound for the Braves and pitched 3 scoreless innings. In the 4th inning, both teams scored a run. In the 7th, Beasley was replaced by Geoff McCowat (American International). Beasley gave up only 3 hits and struckout 5 Big Train hitters. McCowat struck out 2 more batters, but ended up with the loss. Derek Brewer (Radford) closed the game out in the 9th and struck out one batter.

At the plate, Jeremy Maas (U Penn) went 3 for 5, and Paul Rambaud (Villanova) and Brian Deering (Nigara) each went 1 for 4 with an RBI. Other Braves getting hits were Johnny Bladel (JMU) and Chris Taladay (UCF).

July 1 - Deficit too Big to Defeat T'bolts
The Braves couldn't overcome giving up five-runs to the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts in the fifth inning, eventually falling by a score of 7-3. Herndon (11-12) scored first in the game, with Chris Taladay (Central Florida) singling home Johnny Bladel (James Madison).

But in the third inning, Silver Spring (7-14) was able to score their five runs on just four singles and a Herndon error. After a solo home run made the game 6-1, the Braves scored on a George Piccirilli (VMI) double to make it a four-run deficit. Herndon then loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth, but could only score once in the inning, when Matt Paradise (Santa Clara) singled in Nick Kime (VCU).

Pat Devlin (Rider) took the loss for the Braves, but gave up just six hits and induced five strikeouts.

June 30 - Braves Split DH with Big Train
After a comeback fell short in game one of a doubleheader, the Braves scored five runs in game two for a come-from-behind victory. Herndon (11-11) split with the Bethesda Big Train (13-8) Wednesday at Shirley Povich Field with a five-run final inning — the seventh as doubleheaders have seven inning games — pushing the Braves to an 8-6 win. The Big Train won the first game 7-3.

Getting down by six runs after three innings in the second game, Herndon's Brian Deering (Niagra) came home in the fifth after a double from Johnny Bladel (JMU). The sixth inning had two more Braves runs with Matt Paradise (Santa Clara) and Paul Rambaud (Villanova) both scoring on an error. Finally, in the seventh inning, Herndon scored five runs to take their lead. Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport), Bladel, and George Piccirilli (VMI) all came home to tie the game. A fielder's choice put into play by Rambaud then scored Paradise to take the lead. Scott Reed (Bucknell) also scored in the inning to cement the lead.

This late comeback was juxtaposed with a game one where the Braves scored two runs in the seventh inning, but couldn't overcome giving up 14 hits to the Big Train.

Matt Wainman (William and Mary) took the loss for Herndon in the first game, while Geoff McCowat (American International) earned the win in the second game, and Derrick Brewer (Radford) gained his fifth save of the season.

June 27 - Early Game Results in a Win
With temperatures predicted to reach close to 100 degrees, the Braves traveled to play the Southern Maryland Nationals at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Braves took the early lead with 2 runs and tacked on another one in the 2nd inning. Jay Lynch (Binghamton) took the mound and kept the Nationals scoreless through 6 innings (6.2 innings, 4 K's). In the 7th, the Nationals tied the game 3 - 3.

However, the Braves came back fast and tacked on 3 more runs on 4 hits to go up 6 - 3. Geoff McCowat (American International) pitched 1.1 innings, with 1 strikeout and Derek Brewer (Radford) came in to close the game in the 9th and did his job.

Hitting Highlights - Jeremy Maas (U Penn) went 3 for 5, George Piccirilli (VMI) went 2 for 2 with a RBI, Johnny Bladel (JMU) went 2 for 5 with a RBI, and Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) with 2 for 5 with a RBI. Other Braves getting hits were - Shannon Mark (CNU), Matt Paradise (Santa Clara U), and Brian Deering (Niagara). Final score, 6 - 3.

June 26 DH Game - Tough Losses to Orioles
The Braves traveled to Carlo Crispino field on another scorching day to face the Youse’s Orioles who are in first place in the league. In game one of a shortened 7-inning game, Greggory Cooke (UCF) started on the mound for the Braves. The Orioles took an early lead in the game and never looked back. Johnny Bladel (JMU) went 2 for 3 at the plate. Other Braves getting hits in the game – George Piccirilli (VMI) and an RBI, Jeremy Maas (U Penn) had a double, Chris Taladay (UCF), Ryan Burgess (Radford), and Conor Coleman (UC San Diego). Final Score, 1 - 8.

In Game #2 of a 7-inning game, the game was tied going into the 7th inning and had to go one additional inning before the Orioles would come away the winner. John Beasley (U Penn) pitched 6 great innings. Taladay went 1 for 2 with an RBI and had help from Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) who went 1 for 3 with an RBI. Despite hits from Nick Kime (VCU), Bladel, and Maas, the Braves were unable to defeat the Orioles. Brennan Huelse (VCU) struck out 2 Orioles batters, but took the loss for the Braves. Final Score, 2 - 3.

June 25 Game - Braves Defeat Express
Herndon scored nine runs in the fourth inning, a season high for a single inning, giving the team a lead they wouldn't concede as the Braves defeated the Rockville Express at home 12-6.

After not getting a hit in the first three innings, the Braves (9-8) took advantage of Rockville (8-8) pitcher Joe Richardson (George Washington) for seven of its nine runs in the inning, and tagging reliever Matt Garlock (Barry) for two more. Seven of the nine players in the Braves starting lineup scored in the inning, including two runs each from Nick Kime (VCU) and Johnny Bladel (JMU). George Piccirilli (VMI) continued his offensive upswing with a two-RBI double for the second and third runs of the fourth. Kime also had a double in the frame, and he was eventually brought home from a two-run home run by Bladel for the last runs of the inning.

The Braves would add one more run in the sixth on a solo home run from Chris Taladay (Central Florida), and two more in the unearned runs in the eighth inning for their twelve runs.

Pat Devlin (Rider) earned the win for the Braves, his first of the season, giving up just four hits in 5.0 innings, and two earned runs.

June 24 Game - 16 Innings of Tough Baseball
The Herndon Braves were defeated by the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, 4-3, in the longest contest of the season so far. The 16 inning marathon had a stretch of eight scoreless innings until the final frame.

The Thunderbolts (5-11) held a 3-1 lead for the majority of regulation, but dropped a Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport) pop-fly with two outs in the seventh and two runners on base that allowed Jeremy Maas (UPenn) and Paul Rambaud (Villanova) to score on the error. The Braves (8-8) had the first chance in extra innings, but stranded Chris Taladay (Central Florida) on third base in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Both sides' relief pitchers dominated the bonus innings, marked by Herndon's Derrick Brewer (Radford), who departed from his usual role as closer to come in and give up just two hits in 4.1 innings.

Silver Spring-Takoma though would eventually score in the top of the 16th after a wild pitch from Kevin O'Keefe (Moravian), and a Matt Paradise (Santa Clara) single in the bottom of the inning went for naught as a double play ended the game.

June 23 Game - Victory at Home
In a game that saw eight total errors, including five by the Braves, it was a clutch hit from George Piccirilli (VMI) in the seventh inning that pushed Herndon to an 8-5 win over the rival Alexandria Aces.

Piccirilli committed two of his team's three errors in the field, which helped the the Aces (7-11) go up 4-1 by the third inning. But after the Braves (8-7) were able to score runs in the third and fourth innings, and two in the fifth inning, the game was tied going into the final frames.

Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) doubled to start the seventh inning, and eventually scored after Piccirilli crushed a single into right field. The Braves tacked on two more runs in the inning to solidify their victory.

Brennan Huelse (VCU) got the pitching win for Herndon after pitching 2.0 innings and giving up just one hit. He relieved starter Matt Wainman (William and Mary) who conceded just one earned run in the game, but got a no decision due to four unearned runs. Derrick Brewer (Radford) got his third save of the year.

June 22 Game - DH Split
Despite just a 20-minute break in between the two games, the Braves played two totally different contests splitting a doubleheader, 4-0 and 2-6, with the visiting Baltimore Redbirds on Tuesday night.

Herndon (7-7) had to play on its usual day off against the Redbirds (7-7) after the June 6 doubleheader between the two clubs was rained out midway through the fourth inning of the first game. But with match tied at 0, it was essentially a three-and-a-half inning contest now. The Braves wasted no time breaking the tie, getting four straight runners on base when play resumed Tuesday.

Chris Taladay (Central Florida) and Jeremy Maas (UPenn) both singled to restart the game, and Taladay was promptly doubled in by Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro). Maas also scored after a single from team-hit leader Nick Kime (VCU).

Maas and Brian Deering (Niagra University) also scored unearned runs in the sixth inning to increase the lead. Michael Graham (VCU) earned the win in the first game for the Braves, giving up just two hits in three innings of work.

The second game was well pitched by Herndon’s Jay Lynch (Binghamton), as he survived six of the game’s seven innings (as the teams play only seven innings per game in a doubleheader). Lynch, however, took the loss mainly due to giving up two two-run home runs.

June 19 Game - Another Tough Loss
Home woes continued for the Braves on Saturday night as the team fell 4-5 to the Baltimore Redbirds in a game that was tied until the ninth inning. Herndon (6-5) was tied with Baltimore (5-6) going into the ninth, but reliever Braves' reliever Derrick Brewer (Radford) gave up his first run of the year on a solo home run to Seth Baldwin.

The majority of the Braves runs were scored in the bottom of the third inning, when they responded to four runs the Redbirds brought home in the top of the frame. Chris Taladay (UCF) was able to bring in Johnny Bladel (JMU) and Nick Kime (VCU) with a one-out double to start the scoring in the third. Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) also scored in the inning while coming home from third on a fielders choice put in play by Matt Paradise (Santa Clara).

Kime also scored in the first inning on a fielders choice from Leach.

June 18 Game - Braves Winning Streak Halted
The Braves played a close game with the visiting Bethesda Big Train, but were unable to defeat Big Train and lost , 0-2. Strong pitching from Josh Constable (Radford) for 6 innings with 7 K's, kept the game close. Great pitching relief work from Geoff McGowat (American International College) who went 2 innings with 4 K's, and Derek Brewer (Radford) who finished the game with 1 inning and 2 strikeouts. The bats were mostly quiet for the Braves, but standouts from Paul Rambaud (Villanova) who went 2 for 3, Nick Kime (VCU) who pinch hit and went 1 fror 1, and Chris Taladay (UCF) who also had a hit were the only action at the plate.

June 17 Game - Braves Continue Win Streak
The Braves cruised past the Aces, 8-0, behind a combined shutout from college teammates Matt Wainman (William & Mary) and Chris Yates (William & Mary), as well as four hits from Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport). Mark doubled, drove in two runs, and scored two more. Chris Taladay (Central Florida) also doubled, drove in two and scored two for Herndon. The win was the fifth in a row for the Braves.

June 14 - Four in a Row!
The Braves have now won four straight games, all of them away contests, after Monday night’s victory at the Rockville Express. Herndon (5-3) played the Express (3-4) for the second time in three nights, but won this match with pitching being the key.

Jay Lynch (Binghamton) made his first start of the year for the Braves, and got the victory after pitching 6.0 innings, and giving up just two runs on six hits. Lynch also had seven strikeouts in the win, and benefitted from having his three relievers, Geoff McCowat (American International College), Brennan Huelse (VCU), and Derrick Brewer (Radford) give up just two hits combined in their three innings.

The offense of the Braves got going in the fourth inning after the team fell down 1-0 in the first. Matt Paradise (Santa Clara) hit a one-out double to reach base, and was eventually brought home on a single by Ryan Burgess (Radford). George Piccirilli (VMI) also touched home plate in the inning after a sacrifice fly by Brian Deering (Niagara). Herndon’s Jeremey Maas (UPenn) had the last two runs of the game, scoring an unearned run in the fifth inning, and rounding home after a triple by Johnny Bladel (JMU) in the seventh.

Herndon’s road trip isn’t finished yet as the team plays at Bethesda on Wednesday starting at 7:30, and at Alexandria at 7 on Thursday

June 13 - Braves Bats Get Hot
Herndon scored in just three of the game’s nine innings yesterday. But they were able to string together those three innings to add up to 14 runs, as the Braves won at the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts 14-8 in a contest that had four innings of three or more runs.

After giving up an early run to be down 1-0, the Braves took advantage of shaky pitching for seven runs in the third innings. The frame had no extra base hits, and all but one Brave reached base during the inning. Chris Taladay (Central Florida) and Paul Rambaud (Villanova) both had two RBI singles, while Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro), George Piccirilli (VMI), and Scott Reed (Bucknell) were able to bring in one run with their plate appearances.

But even though the Braves had such a large lead, it was not enough for the game. Greg Cooke (Central Florida) had given up just the one run going into the fifth inning, but was pulled in the middle of fifth during a six-run inning for the Thunderbolts that tied the game. The score would not remain knotted for long with a four-run sixth inning by the Braves, with arguably the most exciting sequence of the game by Johnny Bladel (JMU). The rightfielder singled in the middle of the inning, stole second base, and attempted to steal third on the very next pitch. During his run to third, the throw from the Tbolts catcher went into left field, and Bladel hustled around to score one more run.

The Braves would add three more in the top of the seventh inning to continue their offensive clinic. Rambaud was the top hitter on the day going 4-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Leach had three RBI on just two hits, along with a run scored. The winning pitcher for Herndon is Michael Graham (VCU) who came in to give up just one earned run in 3.2 innings.

June 12 - Braves Continue Winning Streak
The Braves continued their road trip when they visited the Rockville Express at Knights Field. The Braves led the way the entire game, but the Express team mounted a comeback late into the game. However, the Braves stayed on top. Highlights from the game included Matt Paradise (Santa Clara U) who went 2 for 5. Other Braves who had hits - Ryan Burgess (Radford) who had 2 RBIs, Jeremy Maas (U of Pennsylvania), Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) with 1 RBI, Shannon Mark (CNU) with 1 RBI, and Paul Rambaud (Villanova). John Beasley (U of Pennsylvania) pitched 7 innings, allowing just 2 runs and striking out 4 and earning the win. Other pitchers contributing were Chris Yates (William & Mary) and Derek Brewer (Radford). Final score - 8 - 7.

June 11 - Braves Defeat Redbirds
The Braves began a tough road series on Friday, but turned around the recent losses into wins. Highlights from the game included Jeremy Maas (U of Pennsylvania) who went 5 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Zach Leach (UNC-Greensboro) who went 4 for 5. Other Braves who had hits - Shannon Mark (CNU), Johnny Bladel (JMU) who also had a RBI, Nick Kime (VCU), Scott Reed (Bucknell) who had a RBI, Dylan Smith (Eastern Mennonite), and Brian Deering (Niagara). Pat Devlin (Rider) pitched 6.1 innngs, allowing just 2 runs and striking out 5 and the winning pitcher was Derek Brewer (Radford) who pitched 2 innings, allowing no runs and striking out 2 Redbird batters. Final score - 8 - 4.

June 10 - Tough Loss to Big Train
Herndon’s hitting questions were answered on Thursday night as the team combined for nine total hits, including a triple from Johnny Bladel (JMU). Unfortunately, a new concern emerged as the Braves (1-3) were not able to convert those hits into runs, and the squad fell to the Bethesda Big Train (2-2) by a score of 7-2.

After just five hits in its previous two contests, Herndon quelled any fears of lack of hitting with a two-run first inning featuring three hits and an RBI single by Nick Kime (VCU).

The difference in the game was the sixth inning, where with a 2-2 score, the Braves weren’t able to convert either out of a double play opportunity. After Scott Reed (Bucknell) caught a runner attempting to steal third, pitcher Josh Constable (Radford) gave up a two-run home run to Bethesda’s Mark Melgosa. The dinger continued the inning for the Big Train, as the team scored twice more in the frame.

The Braves left runners in scoring position in four innings, but showed improvement offensively after weak outings in the batters box in the past two games.

Another good sign for the home team was the relief pitching of Derrick Brewer (Radford), who held the Big Train to just one hit in the ninth and maintained his scoreless ERA.

June 9 game - Braves Suffer Defeat to Aces
Relief pitching was the bright spot as the Braves offense remains stagnant, as the team managed just three hits in Wednesday’s 5-0 loss to the rival Alexandria Aces.

Herndon (1-2) starting pitcher Matt Wainman (William & Mary) gave up two early home runs — a solo shot in the first to Rand Ravnaas and a three-run homer in the third to Will Davis — and the Aces were able to maintain the lead for the rest of the game.

Wainman was removed after four innings, and was replaced by Chris Yates. The reliever from William and Mary gave up just one run in his two innings of relief, and the Braves saw two more pitchers give up just one hit in the last three innings. Geoff McCowat (American International College) conceded a single to the first batter he faced in the seventh before retiring five straight hitters. In the ninth, Herndon pitcher Brandon Huelse (VCU) went three up-three down.

Offensively, only Brian Deering (Niagara), 2 for 3, and Johnny Bladel (JMU), 1 for 3 with a double, could hit the superb pitching of Alexandria starter Max Knowles, who earned his second win of the season against the Braves. Knowles was helped by two double plays bookending the game — one for the first two outs and one to end the contest.

The Braves hope to get back to .500 when they face the Bethesda Big Train at home tonight at 7.

June 7th game - Braves Win With Piccirilli Walk-off Homer in the Bottom of the 9th
Herndon Braves second baseman George Piccirilli (VMI) only got one hit in four at-bats against the Southern Maryland Nationals on Monday night at Alan McCullock Field, but one hit was all he needed to be the hero.

Piccirilli hit a walk-off two-run home run in the ninth inning to give the Braves (1-1) their first victory of the year, and to steal a game from the Nationals (2-1) that seemed as though it was destined to end 1-0.

The VMI Keydet walked up to the plate with two outs in the ninth to face National’s starter Brandon Crigger, who had given up just one hit in the game until that at-bat. With Shannon Mark (Christopher Newport University) on second base after reaching on an error and being moved to second by a sacrifice bunt, Piccirilli was in position to tie or win the game. Getting down 0-2 in the count, Piccirilli took the fourth pitch he saw and pulled it well over the left field wall for the walk-off home run.

It was an oddly offensive ending to a game that had been dominated by pitching until the last two innings. Braves starter Greg Cooke (UCF) went 5 and 2/3 innings, giving up no runs on four hits and three walks. Geoffery McCowat (American International College), who allowed the one run in the eighth inning to the Nats, relieved him.

The win for the Braves is credited to Derrick Brewer (Radford), who came in to pitch a scoreless ninth inning, while the loss is credited to Crigger. Aside from his very last pitch, Crigger tossed a gem of a game allowing just three baserunners before the ninth inning.

The Braves will be home again for two games this week. On Wednesday, the squad will face the Alexandria Aces, and Thursday the Braves welcome the Bethesda Big Train. Both games begin at 7.

June 6 DH game - Rained Out
The Braves had their home opener scheduled against the Baltimore Redbirds. A full day was planned. The day featured recognition of Herndon Optmist Baseball players and parents and a Herndon Buddy Ball game. Unfortunately, rain fell enough to cancel the game that had just begun, as well as the 2nd game of the DH.

June 4 - Tough Loss to Begin
Braves traveled to Four Mile Park to begin the 2010 summer season. The Alexandria Aces handed the Braves their first defeat of the season.