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.
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