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2005 Varsity Hubs Schedule
vs TUSCARORA, WON 11-6
vs FREDERICK, LOST 6-5
vs LONG REACH, LOST 12-11
vs WESTMINSTER, WON 5-4
vs WILLIAMSPORT, WON 7-5
at BOONSBORO, LOST 9-6
vs BRUNSWICK, WON 11-7
at CATOCTIN, WON 17-3
vs CLEAR SPRING, WON 17-7
at SMITHSBURG, WON 12-6
vs SOUTH HAGERSTOWN, WON 11-5
at WILLIAMSPORT, LOST 5-0
vs BOONSBORO, WON 13-3
vs CATOCTIN, WON 21-12
at CLEAR SPRING, WON 17-1
vs SMITHSBURG, WON 7-3
at LINGANORE, WON 6-4
vs WALKERSVILLE, WON 12-2
at BRUNSWICK, LOST 6-5
at SOUTH HAGERSTOWN, WON 8-1
2A West Playoffs
Quarterfinals
vs Middletown, WON 11-7
Semifinals
vs Fort Hill, WON 7-2
Finals
vs Century, WON 3-0
State Semifinals
vs Southern-AA, WON 10-5
State Championship
vs Eastern Tech, LOST 9-4
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2005 Varsity Stat Leaders
(Final Regular Season)
BATTING LEADERS
Hits: 29, Matt Ridenour
Batting Avg: .509, Matt Ridenour
Singles: 19, Matt Ridenour
Doubles: 7, Matt Murray, Justin Weaver, Matt Ridenour
Triples: 4, Chris Grove
HR's: 5, Justin Weaver
RBI's: 26, Justin Weaver
Runs: 30, Justin Weaver
SB's: 8, Matt Ridenour
Walks: 23, Matt Ridenour
SLG%: .772, Matt Ridenour
OB%: .675, Matt Ridenour
XBH: 13, Justin Weaver
Total Bases: 49, Justin Weaver
HBP's: 5, Matt Murray
Sac Flies: 2, Colby Thompson
Avg/RISP: .750, B.J. Soto
PITCHING LEADERS
Wins: 5, Brian Barnhart
Saves: 2, Jacey McElroy
Strikeouts: 51, Kent Worthington
ERA: 2.44, Kent Worthington
Shutouts: 0, none
Complete Games: 2, Brian Barnhart
Win PCT: 100.0%, Kent Worhtington
WHIP: 0.53, Chris Grove
Opp Avg: 0.95, B.J. Soto
FIELDING LEADERS
Most Assists: 53, Justin Weaver
PO's: 101, Colby Thompson
Fielding PCT: 1.000, several players
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2005 Hub Varsity Players of the Game
vs Tuscarora: Matt Ridenour (3-4, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R)
vs Frederick: Matt Murray (3-4, 3 RBI) & Kent Worthington (9 K's)
vs Long Reach: Matt Murray (2-3, HR, 3 RBI)
vs Westminster: B.J. Soto (2-3)
vs Williamsport: Matt Murray (2-2, 2 doubles, 5 RBI's)
at Boonsboro: Brian Barnhart (2-3, 2 RBI's)
vs Brunswick: Ridenour (3-4), Weaver (2-4, HR, 3 RBI), Murray (2-4, HR, 2 RBI), Toms (3-4), Soto (Win)
at Catoctin: Chris Grove (2-3, 4 RBI)
vs Clear Spring: Justin Weaver (3-4, Grand Slam, 5 RBI)
at Smithsburg: Chris Grove, Freddie Kreiger (3 hits, 3 RBI's)
vs South Hagerstown: Brent Toms (3-3), Kent Worthington (Win, 9 K's)
at Williamsport: Brian Barnhart (5 IP, 2 ER)
vs Boonsboro: Matt Ridenour, Justin Weaver
vs Catoctin: Matt Ridenour (3-5, 2B, 5 RBI's)
at Clear Spring: Kent Worthington (win, 1-hitter, 5 K's) & Justin Weaver (4-4, 7 RBI's, 4 runs, 3 doubles)
vs Smithsburg: Matt Murray (win, 4 K's, 1 hit allowed)
at Linganore: Brian Barnhart (CG win, 2 ER's allowed, 2 K's)
vs Walkersville: Matt Murray (CG win, 3-hitter; 2 hits, RBI, 2B)
at Brunswick: Kent Worthington (3-3, 8 K's)
at South Hagerstown: Matt Ridenour (2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, BB)
Playoffs
vs Middletown: Matt Murray (3-4, HR, 3 RBI's; 6 K's)
vs Fort Hill: Brian Barnhart (CG win, 2 hits allowed, 11 K's)
vs Century: Kent Worthington (CG ShO win, 4 h allowed, 5 K's)
vs Southern-AA: Matt Ridenour (2-3, 2B, 3 RBI's)
vs Eastern Tech: Matt Ridenour (2-3, 3B, RBI)
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Matt Ridenour
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference Outfielder, First Team
2005 Herald-Mail All-Area Outfielder, First Team
2005 All-Washington County Outfielder, First Team
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Matt Murray
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference DH, First Team
2005 Herald-Mail All-Area DH, First Team
2005 All-Washington County DH, First Team
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Justin Weaver
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference Infielder, First Team
2005 All-Washington County Infielder, Second Team
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Kent Worthington
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference Pitcher, Second Team
2005 All-Washington County Pitcher, First Team
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Freddie Kreiger
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference Infielder, Second Team
2005 All-Washington County Infielder, Second Team
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Chris Grove
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference Outfielder, Second Team
2005 All-Washington County Outfielder, Second Team
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Brian Barnhart
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference Pitcher, Honorable Mention
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Brent Toms
2005 All-MVAL Antietam Conference Infielder, Honorable Mention
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Technical Difficulties
Hubs fall to Eastern Tech in State Championship, 9-4
From Baltimore Sun Newspaper
Harmons, MD---In his first appearance in a state final in 2003, Gerard Sokolis remembers being ahead by four runs only to lose. Yesterday, he and his Eastern Tech teammates fell behind by four runs, but this time they came back to win.
After two frustrating seasons of chasing their first Class 2A state baseball championship, third-ranked Eastern Tech put the crown on yesterday at Joe Cannon Stadium in Harmans with its 21st consecutive victory, 9-4, over North Hagerstown of Washington County.
Scoring four runs in each of the fourth and sixth innings, the Mavericks (22-1) overcame a 4-0 deficit. That gave left-hander Sokolis more runs than he needed.
Sophomore Josh Kempa started the comeback with a booming leadoff homer in the fourth.
As special as winning a school's first state championship is, it was extra special for coach Spike McElfish, his top assistant Ty Whittaker and the only two seniors who played in the Mavericks' inaugural final in 2003, a 5-4 loss to Walkersville.
Then sophomores, they were Sokolis and Vince Stella, who McElfish said "are like two of my own sons and that's what makes it so sweet for them and the rest of my seniors. Gerard has rose to the occasion every time."
Last year, it was even tougher than losing on the field for all of those who were on that team when they were disqualified after a semifinal victory over Liberty. Sokolis went all seven innings, but unfortunately for Eastern Tech, he had pitched 15 innings in seven days and state rules allow only 14.
Liberty went on to win what could have been Eastern Tech's title.
"This has been the best season of my life," said Sokolis, who went all the way yesterday in an eight-hitter and four strikeouts, to finish his senior year at 9-0 and his three-year varsity career at 24-1. "It's been a miracle season. We were cruising in 2003 and last year was just terrible."
Sokolis remembered being ahead 4-0 in the final in 2003. He moved from first base to the mound that game after Walkersville took the lead. Fellow senior Stella was at shortstop that bitter day.
"We might have been one inning too late for Gerard that day, but this is sweet revenge to finally win it," said Stella, who is headed to CCBC-Essex.
"It's sad it has to end. We will never play another high school game together again."
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One Win Away
Hubs to play for state championship after 10-5 victory over Southern-AA
By BILL WAGNER, Annapolis Capitol Newspaper Staff Writer
Gambrills, MD---Two ugly innings spoiled an otherwise solid performance by the Southern baseball team in last night's Class 2A state semifinals.
Errors, wild pitches and passed balls fueled five-run rallies in both the third and seventh innings as North Hagerstown defeated Southern 10-5 at Arundel High.
Kent Worthington hurled 2 strong innings of relief while center fielder Matt Ridenour went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for North Hagerstown (19-5), which will take on Eastern Tech in tomorrow's state championship game at Joe Cannon Stadium. The Hubs are seeking their third state title, having previously won in 1986 and '89.
"We made some defensive mistakes that hurt us," Southern coach Manny Branco said. "You've gotta make plays when the opportunities present themselves. If you don't in this game, it usually comes back to haunt you."
Branco could have been referring to what happened in either the third or seventh.
Southern starter Johnny Nevin was close to getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the third inning, having induced a popout and a fly out. It seemed Nevin would escape unharmed when Ridenour grounded to shortstop Ken Misal, but the throw to first was a tad late and two runs wound up scoring.
A wild pitch by Nevin brought home another run while a throwing error by third baseman Nathan Mayberry plated two more as the Hubs took a 5-0 lead.
Southern battled back with two runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth.
Shaun Collins and Jimmy Smith opened the fourth with consecutive singles and wound up scoring on a throwing error and a fielder's choice groundout.
In the fifth, Nevin delivered a two-run double then came around on a single by Patrick O'Brien as the Bulldogs tied the score 5-5.
"I was proud that we didn't give up, that we scrapped our way back into the game," Branco said.
North Hagerstown coach Shawn Reynolds brought in Worthington, the team's ace, to close out the fifth and he silenced the Southern bats thereafter to preserve the tie.
"I second-guessed myself a little about whether I should have gone to Worthington a couple batters earlier," Reynolds said.
Meanwhile, Misal came on in the third and worked 3 scoreless innings before things fell apart again for Southern in the seventh.
A leadoff walk proved costly when Ridenour doubled in pinch runner Jimmy Connor with the go-ahead run. Ridenour moved to second on a passed ball and to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a fielder's choice groundout.
Misal, who finished with six strikeouts, had a chance to get out of the inning with no further damage after cleanly fielding a bunt with two outs. However, he overthrew first base to allow another run to score. Two more insurance runs came home on a wild pitch.
This is the third straight season that Southern has lost in the state semis. The Bulldogs reached the Class 2A championship in 2002.
"We just can't seem to get over the hump," Branco lamented. "It's a credit to the program that we keep getting to this level. Hopefully, one of these years we'll find a way to finish it off."
N. Hagerstown (19-5) 005 000 5 _ 10 6 2 Southern (12-10) 000 230 0 _ 5 6 2 WP: Worthington (7-0). LP: Misal (6-3). 2B: NH - Ridenour. SO - Nevin. RBI: NH - Ridenour 2, Toms. SO - Nevin 2, O'Brien 2.
Without Rain the Hubs pour it on
North Hagerstown to play for state crown Saturday
by DAN KAUFFMAN, HERALD-MAIL
GAMBRILLS, Md. - This week's rain may have been an omen for North Hagerstown's baseball team.
"(Assistant coach) Fred (Kreiger Sr.) told me the last time we won the state title (in 1989), we got rained out on Tuesday and Wednesday," Hubs coach Shawn Reynolds said.
North is one win away from a little deja vu, thanks to a little hitting and a whole lot of hustle in Thursday's 10-5 victory over Southern-Anne Arundel at Arundel High School.
The Hubs (19-5) will face Eastern Tech - a 4-1 winner over North Harford in Thursday's other semifinal - on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 for the Class 2A state title at Joe Cannon Stadium in Harmans, Md.
North, playing as the visitor, claimed a 5-0 lead in the third before watching it evaporate as Southern scored twice in the fourth and three times in the fifth.
But in the seventh, Matt Ridenour's two-strike bloop to left landed right on the foul line to drive in the tie-breaking run. It also opened the flood gates as the Hubs scored four more runs in the inning to pull away.
"The whole game, they pitched me away," said Ridenour, who was the only Hub to have two hits while driving in three runs. "I looked for a pitch I could hit to left field and it hit the line."
Matt Murray was hit by a pitch to lead of the seventh, and took second on a wild pitch. Ridenour fouled a couple of pitches off to left in his at-bat, but the one that counted somehow avoided slicing into foul territory.
"I knew if I didn't run and it was fair, I was going to get chewed out," Ridenour said.
Ridenour scored on Brent Toms' RBI groundout to make it 7-5. North added a run on a throwing error and two more when Chris Grove struck out on a wild pitch that went all the way to the backstop some 50 feet from home plate. B.J. Soto scored from third and Fred Kreiger Jr. raced all the way around from second to slide in safely around the tag to make it 10-5.
"We just used another element off our game tonight," Ridenour said. "We're usually a good hitting team, but the hits weren't flowing tonight, so we took advantage of the backstop being away (from home plate) and took extra bases."
The Hubs jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third behind more hustle. With the bases loaded and two outs, Ridenour hit a slow-rolling grounder just past Southern pitcher Johnny Nevin, and slid head-first into first just as the throw from shortstop Ken Misal got there. Ridenour was ruled safe, Soto scored from third and Kreiger, in a wonderful display of heads-up baserunning, scored from second, easily beating the throw home.
"I knew once I hit the ball and saw it get by the pitcher, I had a chance," Ridenour said.
"A big hustle play leads to a big inning," Reynolds said. "Freddie, he scores from second twice and the ball never leaves the infield."
A wild pitch and a throwing error allowed the Hubs to score three more runs in the inning.
Southern made it 5-2 in the fourth on two hits and a Hubs error, and would have scored more were it not for a spectacular diving catch by Grove, who robbed Ryan Sullivan of at least a two-run triple and maybe an inside-the-park home run by snaring his liner down the right-field line for the second out.
Undaunted, Southern tied the game in the fifth on Nevin's two-run double and Pat O'Brien's RBI single, forcing Reynolds to go to the pen for ace Kent Worthington, who replaced Brian Barnhart.
Worthington worked 2 1/3 hitless innings for the win, striking out five and walking three.
"We just never die," Reynolds said. "We get down in some ballgames, and we battle back. The big thing is, we're there."
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Hubs' hot hitters are leading the way
by DAN KAUFFMAN, HERALD-MAIL
The song may say "easy as 1-2-3," but when it comes to North Hagerstown's baseball success this season, a more accurate lyric may be "easy as 2-3-4."
The middle of the Hubs' potent lineup - shortstop Justin Weaver, catcher Matt Murray and center fielder Matt Ridenour - has made the offense go for North (18-5), which rolls into today's Maryland Class 2A state semifinal game against Southern-Anne Arundel at Arundel High School in Gambrills, Md.
Through the regular season, Weaver batted .368 with seven doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI, Murray hit .452 with seven doubles, three homers and 25 RBI and Ridenour batted .509 with seven doubles, two homers and 24 RBI.
Behind them, the Hubs scored 197 runs in 20 regular-season game. North added 25 more runs in its three playoff victories over Middletown, Fort Hill and Century to reach the state semis for the first time since 1994.
Add in the efforts of Chris Grove (.308, three triples, 20 RBI) and Fred Kreiger (.413, 20 RBI) - each of whom has spent time at the leadoff spot - and few opposing pitchers have the ability to work through the Hubs' lineup without excessive damage.
"Our top four really has carried our team," North coach Shawn Reynolds said. "(Brent) Toms has come on here in the playoffs, but it's been mostly our top four, especially our 2-3-4."
Thanks to squeezing in their regional final game between raindrops on Friday, the Hubs had the opportunity to watch Southern vanquish Glenelg in the Class 2A South final on Saturday.
"(Southern) plays lot of 4A schools, and they have pretty good record," Reynolds said. "They're pretty solid. Defensively, they played real well and they had 13 hits. It's not like they tore cover off the ball, but they put the ball in play."
Reynolds said Southern used its top pitcher in the regional final, meaning neither team will have its ace on the hill today (Hubs ace Kent Worthington threw a four-hit shutout against Century on Friday).
"Most likely, we're looking to start Murray, and we're looking to use everybody," Reynolds said. "If we have to use him late, we'll use Worthington. You have to win Tuesday before can worry about Saturday. I kind of talked to (Worthington) today and he said he was hoping I'd ask him that."
The Hubs took Saturday off, and due to Monday's rain they didn't get in any fielding work, instead taking batting practice inside the gym. Reynolds isn't worried about the time away from the diamond.
"The thing about it is most of them were either playing in Legion or Colt League, so it wasn't like they weren't on the field," Reynolds said. "Most of them are playing summer ball. It's not like they're not seeing the field for three days."
Are the Hubs ready for their biggest game in 11 years? Reynolds said it's difficult to know because of the consistently laid-back, confident approach his players have.
"The team I got, you can never tell until the first pitch," Reynolds said. "They know they can play. You can't get a read on them until the first or second inning of how they're going to react. But they seemed pretty pumped up tonight at practice."
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Worth the Wait
Worthington blanks Century to lead Hubs to 2A West Regional Championship
Hagerstown, MD---On a cold, soggy, and dreary day, the North Hagerstown Hubs made it one of the brightest days in school baseball history as they shutdown Century 3-0 and won the 2A West Regional Championship---the first since 1994.
Kent Worthington pitched the game of his career, shuting out Century and only allowing four hits, while striking out five Knights en route to the regional title.
Matt Ridenour, Brent Toms, and Colby Thompson put three straight hits together in the second inning to stake Worthington a 2-0 lead.
Jimmy Conner led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, then took second on a Freddie Kreiger sacrifice. Chris Grove doubled in Conner for a three-run Hub lead.
Worthington did the rest, retiring seven of the last eight Century batters to improve his record to (6-0) on the season and pick up his first career shutout.
The Hubs improve to (18-5) and will face the winner of Southern-AA and Glenelg at Arundel High School on Tuesday at 7PM.
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Hubs climb the Hill to 2A West Regional Finals
Barnhart pitches gem to lead North past Fort Hill, 7-2
Hagerstown, MD---Brian Barnhart pitched in the biggest game in his high school career on Wednesday afternoon. When it was over---it was one of the best---as he struck out 11 Sentinels en route to a 7-2 victory over Fort Hill in the Maryland 2A West Semifinals.
Matt Ridenour and Brent Toms staked Barnhart an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Chris Grove started thing with a walk and took second on a wild pitch. Two batters later Matt Ridenour doubled to plate Grove, then Brent Toms slammed his first homer of the season to give the Hubs a 3-0 lead.
Fort Hill answered right back in the top of the second as Jon Dicken led off the inning by getting drilled by a Barnhart pitch. Justin Kunis followed with a two-run homerun to cut the Hub lead to 3-2.
North would add three more runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Ridenour led off with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Toms flew out out to deep center and advanced Ridenour to third. Colby Thompson followed with a RBI single to right, scoring Ridenour.
Brian Barnhart was then plunked by a Josh Root pitch to put runners on first and second. B.J. Soto grounded out to first moving Thompson and pinch runner Chris Baer up. Freddie Kreiger came up and delivered a two-out two run double to put the Hubs on their way.
Barnhart did the rest on the mound as only one Sentinel could reach base the final four innings---and that was on an error. The senior righthander retired Fort Hill in order in the seventh to notch his sixth win of the season and put North in the regional finals for the first time since 1994.
Ridenour and Toms led the Hubs with two hits each, while Toms and Kreiger each drove in two runs.
The Hubs improve to (17-5) and will face Century in the 2A West Regional Finals on Friday afternoon at 4:45 PM.
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Hubs say good-knight to Middletown
North advances to play Fort Hill in regional semis on Wednesday
Hagerstown, MD---The North Hagerstown Hubs pounded out 13 hits, 11 runs, and answered every Middletown rally on Monday afternoon to walk away with an 11-7 victory over the Knights in the Maryland 2A West Regional Quarterfinals.
Matt Murray led the Hubs at the plate, going 3-for-4, with a homer, and three RBI's, while Justin Weaver and Brent Toms added two hits each. Toms had a triple and drove in two runs in the victory. Matt Ridenour hit a solo HR and also drove in two runs as every North batter had at least one hit.
Murray gave the Hubs four innings on the mound before giving way to Kent Worthington. The junior righthander came on to close out the Knights and picked up the victory.
The Hubs advance to play Fort Hill on Wednesday afternoon at 4:45PM in the 2A West Regional Semifinals at North.
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Ending on a good note
Hubs sweep South 8-1, head to playoffs as top dog
Hagerstown, MD---The day started and ended on a good note for the North Hagerstown Hubs. Earlier in the day they received word they won a coin flip for the #1 seed in the 2A West playoffs, then Tuesday ended with the Hubs defeating archrival South Hagerstown, 8-1.
A six run fourth inning keyed by a two-run single by Justin Weaver paced the Hubs to the Hub City sweep over South Hagerstown.
Jimmy Conner and Matt Ridenour led the Hubs with two hits each, while Weaver and Brent Toms had two RBI's each.
Brian Barnhart pitched a complete game gem. Barnhart scattered eight hits, allowing only one run, striking out four Rebels, while earning his team high fifth victory of the season.
The Hubs (15-5, 11-3) now take six days off before returning to the field on Monday at home to open the 2005 MPSSAA playoffs. North will face the winner of the Walkersville-Middletown 2A West first round game. Game time is scheduled for 4PM.
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Heartbreaker
'Roaders score three in seventh to sink Hubs, 6-5
Brunswick, MD---updated soon
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Hubs flex muscle, ten-run Walkersville
North offense pounds out 16 hits in 12-2 rout over Lions
Hagerstown, MD---After two straight sub-par offensive performances---that is for North Hagerstown standards---the Big Red Machine cranked into gear on Friday afternoon for 16 hits in the Hubs 12-2 victory over 2A West conference foe Walkersville.
The Big Red Machine got crankin' early, scoring four runs in the first inning, keyed by four walks and a Kent Worthington two-run single.
That was plenty for starting pitcher Matt Murray who delivered his second straight solid outing on the mound. Murray pitched six innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs, while striking out three in picking up his second victory.
The Hubs tried to end things real early in the fifth inning. With two on, Chris Baer connected on a double, scoring Chris Palmer. Brian Barnhart also attempted to score, but was gunned down at the plate, holding the score at 11-2.
North Head Coach Shawn Reynolds decided in the sixth to give his bench a chance to hit---good move.
Pinch hitter Chris Palmer led off the inning with his first varsity hit--a double, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Another pinch hitter, Adam Tosten, ended things with a game ending single, scoring Palmer to give the Hubs victory by the ten-run rule.
Freddie Kreiger, Justin Weaver, Matt Murray, and Colby Thompson finished with two hits each, while Kent Worthington and Brent Toms each drove in two runs.
The Hubs improve their season high winning streak to six games and move to (14-4, 10-2) on the year. With the win, North is guaranteed a top two seed in the 2A West playoffs. The Big Red Machine will return to action on Monday at Brunswick for a 4:30 first pitch.
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Five-run fourth lifts Hubs over Linganore
New Market, MD---North Hagerstown fell behind early but rebounded with a five-run fourth inning and added an insurance run in the sixth to hang on to a 6-4 victory over Linganore.
The Lancers struck first with two runs in the second inning. Back to back walks and an error loaded the bases. Brian Barnhart got Chad Smith to popup, but was as lucky with Ryan Murray. The Lacers number eight hitter smacked a two-run double to give Linganore the lead, 2-0.
Matt Ridenour got things going in the top of the fourth with a leadoff double. Brent Toms reached base after getting drilled by a Justin Powell pitch. Colby Thompson followed with a bloop single to load the bases.
Brian Barnhart helped his own cause with a sac-fly, plating Ridenour and cutting the lead to 2-1. After Powell struck out Jimmy Conner, B.J. Soto delievered a two out two-run single, giving the Hubs a 3-2 lead. North would add two more runs in the inning for a 5-2 lead.
Linganore cut the lead to 5-4 with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth off two hits and a Hub error.
In the sixth, Matt Murray hit a ball as far as you can without hitting it out of the park, as it cracked off the top of the fence for a run scoring double. Freddie Kreiger, who slapped a single, scored on the Murray two-bagger.
Starter Brian Barnhart did the rest as he shutdown the Lancer offense in the final two innings to give the Hubs the road victory. With the complete game victory, Barnhart improves to (4-2).
Colby Thompson was the only North player with two hits, while Soto led the Hubs with two RBI's.
North improves to (13-4) overall and will face 2A West region foe Walkersville at 4:45PM at home on Friday.
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Hubs defeat Smithsburg, 7-3
Hagerstown, MD---Matt Murray pitched six strong innings, allowing only one hit, and picking up his first victory of the season on the mound in the Hubs 7-3 victory over Smithsburg on Friday afternoon.
North opened the game with a six run first inning, keyed by a Colby Thompson's two-run single.
Murray pitched the first five innings without allowing a Smithsburg hit. Cleanup batter Joe Acre broke up the no-no in the sixth inning with a leadoff double.
B.J. Soto came on in the seventh to seal the North victory by striking out Acre to finish the game.
Matt Ridenour led the Hubs with two hits and also stole his eight base of the season, while Thompson had two RBI's and Brent Toms doubled.
The Hubs improve to (12-4, 10-2) will trek across town to meet their rival South Hagerstown on Monday afternoon at 4:45.
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W Boys lead Hubs to W
North Hagerstown routs Clear Spring 17-1, keeps pace in title chase
Clear Spring, MD---In the 1960's the New York Yankees had the famous M&M Boy's, on Wednesday the North Hagerstown Hubs turned those M's upside down and had the W&W boy's---Weaver & Worthington.
Justin Weaver had the best day of his high school career, going 4-for-4 with seven RBI's, four runs scored, and three doubles. Kent Worthington did his part on the mound, pitching a complete game one-hitter, striking out five, not allowing an earned run, while picking up his fourth victory of the season.
For the second straight game North scored in every inning, racking run 17 runs on 16 hits, while walking 11 times.
Worthington also had a good day at the plate, slapping two doubles, while Freddie Kreiger, Matt Murray, and Adam Tosten each added two hits. Tosten added two RBI's and Jimmy Conner scored three runs.
The Hubs improve to (11-4, 9-2) and will come home to face Smithsburg on Friday afternoon for a 4:45 first pitch.
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Runs, Runs, Runs
Hubs rack up 21-12 victory over Catoctin
Hagerstown, MD---Monday's Antietam Conference matchup between North Hagerstown and Catoctin had 33 runs, 22 hits, and 21 walks, while taking over three hours to complete as the Hubs overpowered the their foes from Thurmont, 21-12.
North scored in every inning, including a back-breaking seven run frame in the fourth. The Hubs finished with 16 hits, while walking 13 times.
Matt Ridenour led the Hubs with three hits and five RBI's and Brent Toms also racked up three hits, while driving in three runs. Freddie Kreiger, Matt Murray, and Chris Grove each added two hits.
Kreiger finished with four RBI's and three runs scored and Justin Weaver blasted his fourth home run of the season---a three run shot. Grove and Jimmy Conner scored four runs each in the victory.
Brian Barnhart (3-2) picked up the victory for the Hubs, pitching four and a third and striking out five.
The Hubs improve to (10-4, 8-2) and will travel to Clear Spring (3-9, 1-9) on Wednesday for a 4:45 first pitch with the Blazers.
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Making a Statement
Hubs pound Antietam Conference leader Boonsboro 13-3, move back into first place tie
Hagerstown, MD---The Hubs entered Wednesday's Antietam Conference game coming off a loss and facing first place Boonsboro. North didn't need any motivation as they knew what was at stake---first place.
The Big Red Machine cranked into overdrive in the bottom of the fifth inning, exploding for eight runs, while adding one more in the sixth to ten-run the Warriors, 13-3.
Matt Ridenour gave North a quick lead with a three-run first inning homerun after Justin Weaver walked and Matt Murray was hit by a pitch.
In the second inning Chris Baer drew a two out walk. Freddie Kreiger followed with a single and Baer scored after the ball got by the centerfielder for a 4-0 North lead.
Boonsboro got two back in the top of the third with a two out, two-run single by Kyle Kane, cutting the Hub lead to 4-2.
The Warriors would add one more in the fifth as Kane delivered again with a run scoring single---knocking out North starter Kent Worthington.
Reliever Chris Grove entered the game and got Boonsboro's Cody Poffenberger to bounce into a 6-6-3 double play---ending the inning.
North broke out their bats in the fifth inning---scoring eight runs and breaking a one-run game wide open. Brent Toms two-run double, Chris Grove's three-run triple, and Justin Weaver's two-run HR put the Hubs ahead 12-3.
The Hubs ended the game in the sixth as Ridenour, Adam Tosten, Brandon Brown, and Josh Koontz each drew walks, forcing in a run to give North victory by the ten-run rule.
Weaver led the Hubs with two hits, both coming in the fifth, while scoring three runs, driving in two, and homering. Ridenour reached base four times, scored three runs, had three RBI's, and also homered.
Grove had three RBI's and Toms drove in two runs. Starter Kent Worthington picked up his third victory of the season, scattering six hits, allowing one earned run, and striking five in four and a third innings. Grove picked up his first save, while not allowing a hit.
The Hubs improve to (9-4, 7-2) and move back into a first place tie with Boonsboro and Williamsport in the MVAL-Antietam Conference. North will travel to Brunswick on Friday for a 4:30 first pitch.
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Taylor, Cats baffle Hubs, 5-0
Williamsport stops Hubs five game winning streak
Williamsport, MD---When everything clicks, Aerik Taylor can be the most dominating pitcher in Washington County.
With bright, sunny skies above, Williamsport's Taylor clicked on all cylinders as he kept the North Hagerstown bats in cold storage, tossing a one-hitter as the Wildcats prevailed 5-0 in an MVAL Antietam clash Monday.
The win, which avenged a 7-5 loss to North on March 30, kept the Wildcats tied with the Hubs in the conference, one game behind Boonsboro.
Taylor's pitch count hit 94 when North's Andy Murray sent Phillip Jordan to the fence in center for the final out. Taylor had only 32 called balls - 16 in the first two innings.
"On a day like this there's no doubt about getting looser as the game goes on," said Taylor (3-0). "I might have been trying to be too sharp in the first two innings."
Tight or loose withstanding, Taylor allowed only a leadoff single to Matt Ridenour in the fifth inning that went straight through the box to center. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter.
"I fall off some toward first on my delivery and I thought I could have stopped that one," Taylor said.
The only other baserunner for North (8-4, 6-2) came in the second inning when Taylor hit Brent Toms with a pitch.
"This was a big win for us as a team and for me," Taylor said. "Everyone was together today and our defense really played well."
The only runs Taylor really needed came in the second inning as the 'Cats (10-2, 6-2) made the most of two hits and two walks off North starter Brian Barnhart (2-2).
"(North) sat on Aerik's fastballs the first time," said Williamsport coach Rod Steiner. "He mixed up his pitches very well and as the game went on you could see he was gaining so much more confidence."
The decisive blow came off the bat of Matt Sweigert, who entered the game with a .238 batting average, the lowest of Williamsport's regulars.
After a walk and force play, Jordan had an infield single to short that moved Corey Itnyre to second. After a fly ball out, the Wildcats had three runners when Corey Broadwater walked.
Appearing down-and-out with an 0-2 count on Barnhart, Sweigert became feisty by working the count even before lining a wicked hopper past North's Toms at third to score Itnyre and Jordan.
"I've started to swing the bat a little better and it felt good to help the team getting some RBI," Sweigert said.
Williamsport tallied three runs in the bottom of the sixth as Barnhart gave up a single to Taylor and walked Itnyre and Jordan before departing. J.C. McElroy came in and walked three straight batters.
"We got to (Taylor) the first time but we had nothing today," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "We won a big game Friday (over South) and we weren't ready to play today, and I take some of the blame for that. (Taylor) was a great pitcher today."
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Hubs claim Diamond Classic, 11-5
by CURT HORNBECKER/Staff Correspondent
Shawn Reynolds is hoping that his North Hagerstown baseball team finally developed a killer instinct.
But it'll be tough to convince South Hagerstown coach Ralph Stottlemyer that his club didn't throw the game away.
A four-run fourth inning propelled the Hubs to an 11-5 MVAL Antietam win over their cross-town rival before 472 fans Friday at Municipal Stadium.
"The name of the game is to hit the ball, and make the other team field it," said Stottlemyer. "We didn't field it very well tonight."
Meanwhile, Reynolds was concerned about the Hubs' killer instinct after watching a 7-0 advantage get trimmed to 7-5. But North (8-2, 6-1) rallied for four runs in the sixth to put the game away.
"Any time you can get a lead you have to be able to put it away," said Reynolds. "We coasted too much. We didn't have that killer instinct."
Brent Toms gave the Hubs a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI single to score B. J. Soto, who reached on an error.
Chris Grove's triple in the second highlighted a three-run North rally, with Soto's double plating the third run.
A Matt Murray single in the third made it 5-0, before two errors and a Toms single pushed the lead to 7-0.
Kent Worthington got the win for the Hubs, pitching 5 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.
"(Worthington) pitched well into the fifth inning," said Reynolds. "He really didn't start to struggle until the sixth. I knew coming into the season that we'd be a good-hitting ball club. We just need to get good pitching."
Pat Hutzler tripled to open the Rebels' fifth and scored on North's only error of the game, coming on a pick-off attempt.
Brad Logsdon led off the sixth for South (2-5, 2-5) with a walk, moved to second on Beard's single and scored on Zachery Bucher's double. Consecutive sacrifice flies from Jake Johnson and Hutzler made it 7-4, before Justin Stottlemyer drove in the final run of the inning with a single.
North retaliated in the bottom half of the sixth. Justin Weaver reached on an error on a close play at first to open the inning, moved to second on a walk to Toms and scored on Brian Barnhart's single. Hubs reliever Jacey McElroy was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Murray was also hit to force in a run.
Barnhart scored on Fred Kreiger's single, and Danny Olsen, who was running for McElroy, followed on a close play at the plate to complete the scoring.
"That inning killed us," said Stottlemyer. "There were some close calls (in the sixth inning). They were tough calls to make, but you gotta make them."
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Big Red Machine rolls Smithsburg, 12-6
Grove, Thompson, Kreiger lead Hubs to fourth straight win
Smithsburg, MD---The Hubs exploded for nine second inning runs keyed by Freddie Kreiger's three-run triple to notch a 12-6 victory over Smithsburg---their fourth straight victory.
North sent 15 batters to the plate in the big second frame, scoring nine runs, on five hits, while drawing six walks. Kreiger's three-bag gapper broke the inning wide open.
Colby Thompson broke out of a season long slump at the plate with two hits in the second inning---as many as he had all season entering Wednesday game.
Smithsburg chipped away at the huge North lead with two runs in second, one in the third, and two more in the fourth to cut the score to 9-5.
In the top of the fifth, Matt Ridenour crushed a Jake Staebler pitch over the right-center field fence for a solo homerun---his first round-tripper of the season.
Chris Grove added two more North runs in the top of the seventh, with a monster blast of his own and putting the Hubs on their way.
Brian Barnhart settled down and pitched solid in the fifth and sixth innings before giving way to lefty reliever B.J. Soto in the seventh. After two walks, Soto retired the next three batters to close out the game for the Hubs fourth win in a row.
Grove, Thompson, and Kreiger led North with three hits each, while Grove and Kreiger drove in three runs apiece. Ridenour and Jimmy Conner both finished with two RBI's.
Barnhart picked up his second win of the season, scattering seven hits, two earned runs, while striking out five Leopards.
North Hagerstown improves to (7-3, 5-1) and will face cross-town rival South Hagerstown at Municipal Stadium on Friday evening at 7PM.
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Hubs ten-run Blazers, 17-7
Weaver's slam powers North to third straight victory
Hagerstown, MD---Justin Weaver smacked three hits---one a grand slam---while driving in five runs to propel North Hagerstown to a six inning victory over Clear Spring, 17-7.
Things didn't start very well for North, allowing the Blazers to score three runs in the top of the first on two hits, two walks, and an error.
North responded with six of their own in the bottom half of the first inning that lasted over 45 minutes. The first seven Hub batters reached base---six on singles.
Clear Spring tied things up in the top of the second with three more runs. Two hits and walks each, along with two costly errors allowed the Blazers to tie the game.
The Hubs would answer again, this time with a huge eight-run inning. Four straight walks got the inning started, then junior Justin Weaver put the rout on with a monster grand slam blast to leftfield, giving the Hubs a 14-6 advantage.
Hubs reliever "Boomer" McElroy pitched two solid innings in relief of starter Matt Murray to pick up the victory, while Chris Grove slammed the door in the top of the sixth, sitting the Blazers down 1-2-3.
The big red machine picked up one run each in the fourth, fifth, and six innings to claim victory by the ten-run rule. The last run coming on Brandon Brown's triple and a Clear Spring error allowing the speedy junior to score---ending the lengthy contest.
With the win, North has won three in a row and improves to (6-3, 4-1). The Hubs will travel to Smithsburg (1-3, 1-3) on Wednesday for a 4:45 first pitch with the Leopards.
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Hubs rout Catoctin
Thurmont, MD---North Hagerstown scored 17 runs on 14 hits, but officially only 12 runs counted in the Hubs 12-3 victory, as the game was called in the top of the seventh due to darkness.
Chris Grove, Justin Weaver, Jimmy Conner, and Freddie Kreiger each had two hits in leading the Hubs to the one-sided victory. Grove also drove in four runs, while Kreiger had three RBI's, and Brent Toms finished with two RBI's. Kreiger also scored a team high four runs.
Matt Ridenour tied a school single-game record with four walks as North ended with 14 free passes for the game.
Kent Worthington picked up his first career varsity win, pitching five innings, scattering three hits, striking out two, while not allowing an earned run. Brian Barnhart closed the door in the sixth inning to lock up the North victory.
The Hubs (5-3, 3-1) will be off until Monday when they return home to face Clear Spring for a 4:45 PM first pitch.
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Hubs out-slug Brunswick, 11-7
North smacks 14 hits in bounce-back victory
Hagerstown, MD---The Hubs had five players with a multiple hit game, crushed six extra base hits, and finished with 14 hits overall in North Hagerstown's 11-7 Antietam Conference home victory over Brunswick on Monday afternoon.
North scored in five of the six innings they batted, with the first two runs coming on a Matt Murray two-run blast in the bottom of the opening frame.
Two walks, two errors, and two hits led to three Brunswick runs in the top of the second, giving the 'Roaders a 3-2 advantage.
With two outs in the Hubs half of the second Brandon Brown singled to start a rally. Grove singled to drive in Brown after he stole second. Justin Weaver followed with his first career homerun to left-centerfield, a two-run roundtripper---giving the Hubs a 5-3 lead.
After North added two more runs in the third, Brunswick loaded the bases in the fourth thanks to an error and two walks by the Hubs.
Aaron Main drilled a two-run double to knock out starter Matt Ridenour. B.J. Soto came on to retire the next three batters, but not before Josh Via drove in a run on a fielder's choice and Pat Curry hit a sac-fly---tying the game at seven.
North took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth with a Weaver run scoring double and a Ridenour two-run triple.
The Hubs tacked on one more run in the home half of the sixth as Colby Thompson drove in Ridenour on a sacrifice fly.
Kent Worthington closed things out in the seventh with three straight strikeouts after a leadoff walk, giving the Hubs their second conference victory.
North improves to (4-3, 2-1) and will travel to Thurmont on Wednesday afternoon to face undefeated Catoctin.
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One man show leads Boonsboro over lackluster Hubs, 9-6
Boonsboro, MD---Usually when teams don't take advantage of opportunities and put games away---it'll catch up and cost them---on Friday it caught up with North Hagerstown.
The Hubs gave up six runs in the final two innings to blow a 6-3 lead and lose 9-6 to a young scrappy Boonsboro Warriors squad.
North was given two early runs in the first inning thanks to three Warrior boots. Chris Grove, Matt Ridenour, and Brent Toms reached base on errors, while Grove and Ridenour came around to score, giving the Hubs the early 2-0 lead.
Josh Lewis smashed a two-out home run in the bottom of the second inning to cut the North lead in half, 2-1.
In the top of the third North managed to tack on four more runs due to more Boonsboro errors and a Brian Barnhart two-run single, increasing the lead to 6-1.
Matt Byers and Corey Robinson reached base in the bottom of the third on singles, then with two outs, Boonsboro's Jeremiah Mills smacked a two-run double to the fence in leftfield off North's Brian Barnhart.
The Hubs wouldn't capitalize on scoring opportunities in the fourth and fifth inning, leaving two men on base in each inning.
The Warriors decided since the Hubs allowed them to hang around, they might as well take advantage of it.
Cody Poffenberger opened the inning with a bunt single, followed by a Matt Byers walk, and another bunt single, this time by Matt Fortese. Corey Robinson would ground to third baseman Brent Toms who went home to get the force.
Jeremiah Mills stepped to the plate and crushed a Barnhart pitch over the leftfield fence for a grand slam and a 7-6 Boonsboro lead. Jacey McElroy was called on from the pen to end the inning, but North now trailed with daylight running out.
Late inning heroics would not be in the storyline on this evening as the Hubs Matt Ridenour and Brent Toms walked with two outs, but Warrior reliever Miles Brown got Colby Thompson to flyout to center, ending the North threat and the inning.
Mills would drive in two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving him an eye-popping eight RBI's for the game and leading the opportunistic Warriors over the veteran Hubs.
The game was called in the top of the seventh inning due to darkness, giving Boonsboro a big victory and sending the Hubs to their first conference loss.
North Hagerstown (3-3, 1-1) will come home to face Brunswick at 4:45 PM on Monday afternoon.
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Mr. Clutch
Murray leads North by Williamsport in conference opener
Hagerstown, MD---Matt Murray is fast becoming known as Mr. Clutch on the high school baseball diamond in Hagerstown. Murray finished 2-for-2, with two doubles, and five RBI's, including his bases clearing two-bagger in the sixth to propel the Hubs past Williamsport, 7-5.
The Hubs didn't waste any time jumping on Williamsport starter Aerick Taylor, a preseason all-state selection. Leadoff batter Chris Grove drew a walk, then Justin Weaver smacked a gapper to right-center field for a double, moving Grove to third.
Murray followed with a sac-fly to give the Hubs a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Colby Thompson drove in Weaver with a single up the middle, moving North ahead 2-0.
Williamsport got on the board in the top of the second with a Cory Itnyre round-tripper off North starter Kent Worthington, slicing the lead in half, 2-1.
Weaver started things again in the bottom of the third with a leadoff double. Murray drove in Weaver with a RBI-double, increasing the Hubs lead to 3-1.
Worthington paced the Hubs on the mound, mowing down Williamsport batters through the fourth inning. The junior flame-thrower struck out 10 Wildcats through five and a third.
With one out, Wildcat leadoff batter Derek Hadley singled off Worthington, Tyler Beard reached on an error, and David Warrenfeltz had a RBI double to cut the lead to 3-2.
With Worthington running out of gas Manager Shawn Reynolds called on his bullpen to get North out of a jam. He called on senior Brian Barnhart.
Williamsport cleanup hitter pasted the first Barnhart pitch past leftfielder B.J. Soto to the fence, scoring Beard and Warrenfeltz to give the Cats a 4-3 lead. Barnhart retired the next two Williamsport batters to end the inning.
North loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth on three consecutive walks---but couldn't capitalize---leaving the bases loaded.
The Cats added one insurance run in the sixth inning off the Hubs third pitcher of the day Matt Ridenour. Corey Broadwater led off with a double, then Phil Jordan sacrificed pinch runner Zach Myers to third.
Ridenour plunked Matt Sweigert, giving the Cats two on with one out. Derek Hadley hit a ground ball to shortstop Justin Weaver, who flipped to Chris Grove for the force at second, but wasn't quick enough to nab the Cats speedy leadoff man for the double-play, scoring Myers.
Things started to look bleak for the Hubs after Wildcat reliever Jason Sutherland struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the sixth.
Brandon Brown got things started, beating out a roller to short for a two-out single. Grove and Weaver followed with walks off of Sutherland to bring Murray to the plate.
Williamsport Manager Rod Steiner called on Derek Hadley to get the Cats out of a jam---Matt Murray had other ideas.
Murray crushed a Hadley pitch over the centerfielder's head for a three-run double, giving the Hubs a 6-5 lead. Ridenour wanted to join the two-out rally---so he also doubled---scoring pinch-runner Freddie Kreiger, while giving himself a two-run cushion heading to the final frame.
Ridenour sat the Cats down in order in the seventh to pick up the his second straight victory, while giving the Hubs a conference-opening win.
North improves to (3-2, 1-0) and will travel to Boonsboro on Friday for a 4PM tilt with the Warriors.
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Hubs salvage split in Chuck Zonis Easter Tournament
Long Reach 12, North Hagerstown 11
Hagerstown, MD---The Hubs jumped out to a 10-3 lead thanks two Matt Murray hits---one a HR---eight walks, and five errors, but allowed 11 free passes themselves and blew a big lead before falling to Long Reach 12-11 in the first game of the Chuck Zonis Easter Tournament.
In the fifth with a 10-5 lead, the North bullpen allowed seven Long Reach batters to reach base---five straight on walks--to tie the game.
North battled back in the sixth to regain the lead. With one out, Danny Olson walked and Jacey McElroy singled to give the Hubs two on with one out. Olson tagged on a Brandon Brown flyout to center, but the throw to third, the ball skiped by the Long Reach third baseman, scoring Olson to give North a 11-10 lead.
Long Reach took advantage of North errors and played small ball to add one run in the seventh and eight innings, and walk away with an come from behind victory over the Hubs (1-2).
North Hagerstown 5, Westminster 4
Hagerstown, MD---The 2005 North Hagerstown Hubs obviously likes playing in one-run ballgames. For the third straight game, North played a one-run game and finally pulled this one out, 5-4 over a decent Westminster squad.
In the second inning, North drew first blood with a Matt Ridenour walk, followed by Brent Toms reaching base on a Owl error. After a strikeout, Kent Wothington hit a sac fly to score Ridenour, giving North a 1-0 lead.
The Hubs added three more in the fourth inning thanks to two errors, a B.J. Soto hit, and two walks. Brian Barnhart drove in a run on a base loaded walk, Soto had a RBI on his single, and Chris Grove drove in the final run of the inning.
Westminster answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at four. Both teams settled in over the next four innings, not allowing a run.
In the ninth inning, Soto led off with a single to get the Hubs going. Grove sacrificed Soto to second. Westminster releiver Tehansky got Justin Weaver to strike out, giving the Owls two outs.
Matt Murray stepped to the plate and blooped a RBI-single into rightfield, allowing Soto to score the go-ahead run.
Reliever Matt Ridenour slammed the door on the Owls in the bottom of the ninth, picking up the victory for himself and the Hubs (2-2). North will play Williamsport next on Wednesday with a 4PM first pitch.
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Hubs rally comes up short
Hagerstown, MD---For six innings the potent North offense looked like it didn't have a pulse. In the final frame, the Hubs finally showed it had a heartbeat and nearly pulled off a magic trick.
Frederick Reliever Jesse Highling held off a furious North rally in the seventh to close the door on the Hubs and put the Cadets in the win column, 6-5.
The Cadets jumped all over the Hubs in the first inning with four runs on four hits, keyed by Mike Herald's three-run triple.
The visitors added one more run in the second inning on a Billy Gross run scoring single. After a walk and a hit batter, North starter Matt Ridenour was knocked out of the game.
Junior reliever Kent Worthington came on to fan Frederick's Brent DeHaven and end the threat.
Matt Murray got North on the board in the third with a bloop hit, scoring Chris Grove to cut the Frederick lead to 5-1.
Cadet starter Billy Gross found his groove, retiring seven batters in a row before being removed after the fifth inning.
Worthington was even more dominate, sitting down 15 straight Cadets, while striking out eight during the stretch.
Gross came through in the top of the seventh with a two out double, followed by a Wesley Gross run scoring single. Worthington settled down to strike out Herald to end the inning.
Ithe final frame, Worthington started the Hub's rally with a one-out walk. B.J. Soto followed with a single, then number nine hitter Brandon Brown drove in Worthington.
Chris Grove reached on an error and Justin Weaver walked to load the bases. Senior Matt Murray came up and lined a rocket to left field, scoring two runs, but Weaver tried to take an extra base and was thrown out sliding into third base for the second out.
Ridenour was up with two outs and the tying run on first base. Pinch-runner Freddie Kreiger stole second base to give the Hubs a runner in scoring position.
Highling came on to slam the door by getting a called third strike on Ridenour---ending the game.
Murray led the Hubs with three hits and three RBI's, while Worthington put in great performance on the mound, pitching five innings, allowing only two hits and one run, while striking out nine.
The Hubs fall to (1-1) and will face Long Reach on Saturday at 11AM in the Zonis Easter Tournament.
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Hubs pound Tuscarora, 11-6
Ridenour, Barnhart lead North to season opening victory
Hagerstown, MD---On Tuesday afternoon Matt Ridenour showed why he was a pre-season all-state selection, smacking three hits and driving in four runs to lead the Hubs to a 11-6 victory over Tuscarora.
The Titans notched the first runs of the game in the first inning with the help of an error, walk, and a two-run single.
Chris Grove put North on the board in the third inning with a blast over the centerfielder's head for a triple. Tuscarora starter Danny Kohler balked in Grove for the Hub's first run.
In the fourth inning, the Hubs opened the flood gates for seven runs on four hits. B.J. Soto doubled with two outs and the bases loaded to clear the bags.
Ridenour collected two hits in the big North fourth inning, the second---a two-run double to increase the Hub lead to 8-2.
Brian Barnhart turned in a solid performance on the mound, pitching five strong innings, scattering four hits, allowing one earned run, and striking out five.
Jacey McElroy relieved Barnhart in the sixth and ran into trouble. A walk, two errors and double led to four Tuscarora runs---cutting the North lead to 8-6.
The Hubs responded in the bottom half of the sixth, pushing three more runs across. Justin Weaver singled, Matt Murray doubled, and Ridenour drove in two more runs on a single up the middle.
Brent Toms reached on an error, allowing Ridneour to score and increasing the North lead to 11-6 entering the final frame.
McElroy sat the Titans down in order to close out the game for North Hagerstown, picking up the save and giving the Hubs a victory in their season opener.
Weaver and Murray joined Ridenour with multi-hit games, finishing with two each. Soto added three RBI's, while Weaver drove in one run.
North improves to (1-0) and will likely have off until Saturday's Easter Tournament do to poor weather moving into the area tomorrow.
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Tuscarora’s Jason Dice wins the race to second for a stolen base as North Hagerstown second baseman Chris Grove receives the ball too late to make a tag Tuesday in the fourth inning of the Hubs’ 11-6 win. (Photo credit: Joe Crocetta / Staff Photographer)
Hubs give Titans history lesson
by ANDREW MASON, HERALD-MAIL
In a historic game for the Tuscarora baseball team, history was on the side of North Hagerstown.
The defending MVAL Antietam champion Hubs came back from an early deficit to take an 11-6 nonconference victory over the visiting Titans in the season opener for each team Tuesday. It was Tuscarora's first game as a varsity program.
"Losing 11-6 to a team that historically wins baseball games, for the most part I'm happy," Tuscarora coach Jason Smith said. "It was our first varsity game, and they're picked to win the league again this year. ... We're going to take our lumps early and we know that. We just have to work on coming back."
Matt Ridenour went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and four RBI to lead North. Two of Ridenour's hits came in the fourth inning, in which the Hubs sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs - all coming with two outs - to turn their 2-1 deficit into an 8-2 advantage. The big blows in the rally were B.J. Soto's three-run double, Ridenour's two-run double and Justin Weaver's RBI single.
"That two-out rally, that's big," Ridenour said. "We just needed to see some live pitches. It just took us a few innings to get everyone's nerves calmed down and get it started."
After giving up a two-out, two-run double to Ian Burks in the top of the first, North starter Brian Barnhart (1-0) didn't allow a run over the next four innings. In his five innings, Barnhart gave up five hits, three walks and struck out five.
"I thought Barnhart threw the ball well for his first time out," North coach Shawn Reynolds said.
The Titans got back in the game against reliever Jacey McElroy in the sixth, using two walks, two errors, a sacrifice fly from Brandon Whipp and a two-run double by Derek Kohler to plate four runs and cut the score to 8-6.
The Hubs answered with three runs in the bottom half of the sixth against Nick Meekins, Tuscarora's fourth pitcher of the game. Weaver started the rally with a one-out single, Matt Murray followed with a double and both scored on a single to center by Ridenour, who eventually came home on an error.
"It's just like last year. We'll get a lead and then kind of coast," Reynolds said. "We set and set and then all of the sudden the kids explode."
Kohler, the Titans' starter, went three-plus innings in the loss. He took a 2-0 lead into third before Chris Grove ripped a two-out triple to center for the Hubs' first hit and scored on a balk.
Spencer Barrick had two of Tuscarora's six hits.
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Ridenour selected to pre-season All-State team
Reynolds honored as District coach of the year
Baltimore, MD---North Hagerstown senior outfielder Matt Ridenour was named to the 2005 Maryland All-State preseason team. Ridenour joined fellow conference players David Warrenfeltz and Aerick Taylor from Williamsport on the team.
Ridenour led the Hubs in several offensive categories in 2004 including average (.443), hits (27), doubles (7), homeruns (3), slugging percentage (.705), and on base percentage (.566). The senior three-sport star will look to lead the Hubs again in 2005.
Along with Ridenour, Hubs Head Coach Shawn Reynolds was recognized as 2004 District I coach of the year at the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches preseason banquet, held at Baltimore's Camden Yards Warehouse.
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