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Clutch Hitting Propels Whitman Over Wootton
April 30, 2009 --
Catcher Danny Lee didn't waste any time after he strode the plate in the fifth inning of a 4-4 game against Wootton with the winning run on second base. He drilled the first pitch into right-center field, bringing home two runs, and making a winner out of pitcher Danny Williams.
Williams, who found out just before game time that he would be getting the start, had a rocky first inning, giving up four runs on only two hits to 12-3 Wootton, which was ranked fifth in the metro area before the game. But the gritty senior found his rhythm in the second inning and with the help of his battery mate--who threw out runners trying to steal second in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings--didn't allow another run. Ethan Thompson relieved Williams in the 7th to record the save.
Michael Flack delivered what may have been an even bigger hit in the game. His team down 4-1 in the 4th, he drilled a one-strike fastball over the fence in left, bringing home three runs to tie the score. As one fan noted, the ball was gone the second it left his bat.
Whitman (11-3) used the long ball to go ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Senior Max Hilbert reached up to cork an 0-1 pitch over the wall in left-center, his first homer of the year. But an agressive Wootton team, fresh from victories over Damascus and Quince Orchard, struck for four runs in the bottom of the first. The Patriots sent all nine batters to the plate and stole four bases, many on the first pitch.
Wootton led 4-1 when Whitman's Dan Novak led off the fourth with a nine-pitch walk. Then Williams walked to bring the tying run to the plate. It was at that point that Flack delivered his clutch home run to tie the game.
But Whitman still had work to do. Thompson opened the fifth inning by roping a single to left, his second hit of the game. Chris Kelly, who also had two hits, followed with a sharp ground ball through the left side of the infield. Dan Novak, who reached base three times in the game, dropped a bunt down the third-base line to load the bases.
One out later, Flack hit a ground ball to the third baseman who pegged home to get the force out. The catcher threw to first to get the double play, but the ball hit Flack and scooted into foul territory. Lee followed with his two-run single to right-center.
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Vikings Hold on to Defeat Magruder 4-3
May 2, 2009 --
Junior Reid Kellam took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of Whitman's game against Magruder, which came into the game with an 8-7 record. Two hits and two outstanding defensive plays later, he emerged with a 4-3 victory that dramatically improved the 12-3 Vikings' chances of earning an important first-round bye in the state tournament beginning next week.
After a rocky first inning, Kellam (3-0) settled down and retired 15 Colonels in a row, with Viking fielders putting on a defensive clinic in front of the home crowd. In the fourth, first baseman Chris Kelly dashed into foul territory to make a diving catch in front of the Magruder dugout. In the fifth inning, with Whitman hanging to a precarious 3-1 lead, center fielder Max Hilbert ran a long way into the left-center-field gap, catching the ball at full stride to take away an extra-base hit. In the sixth inning, shortstop Jesse Mates first ranged deep to his right, then far to his left, to gun out consecutive hitters at first.
But the Vikings may have saved their best web gems for the seventh inning. With two runners on and no one out, and Whitman ahead 4-1, left fielder Dan Novak caught a ball over his shoulder on the dead run for the first out. If Novak hadn't caught the ball, Magruder may have tied the game, because the Colonels wound up eventually scoring two runs. Then, with the tying run on second, Kelly ranged all the way to the fence in short right field, dove, and snabbed the ball to end the game.
The Vikings staked Magruder to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but tied the game in the second. Novak singled to center, his first of two hits, and stole second. On a two-strike count, Danny Williams moved him to third base with a ground ball to second. Novak scored when Michael Flack dropped a blooper down the left-field line.
Whitman broke the 1-1 tie with two runs in the fourth inning. Novak hit his second single and scored when Williams ripped a double to left-center. Williams was thrown out trying to go to third after a play at the plate. But the inning wasn't over. Flack singled again, this time floating a jam-shot into short center. He alertly took second on a bad pick-off throw and scored on a sharp single to right by Danny Lee, who improved his team-leading RBI total to 20.
The Vikings added what proved to be a critical insurance run in the sixth. After singles by Williams and Lee, Sam Sharpe stroked a single to left-center, scoring Williams and making it 4-1. It turned out the Vikings needed the additional run because Magruder scored twice in the seventh to close to within 4-3.
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Whitman Defeats Northwest to Reach Regional Final
May 13, 2009 --
Walt Whitman defeated Northwest 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon to reach the regional finals for the first time in school history. The 14-3 Vikings play at Quince Orchard on Friday afternoon for the right to move on to the state semis.
Junior Reid Kellam (4-0) pitched a five-hit complete game, relinquishing only one run, in the first inning. Northwest threatened to score again several times, but some clutch defensive plays and great situational pitching preserved the victory. Freshman Michael Flack had three hits to pace Whitman's attack.
The Vikings scored all the runs they needed in the first inning. Jesse Mates reached base to open the frame. Max Hilbert followed with a sharp single up the middle. Mates scored on a ground ball to first by Chris Kelly. Hilbert came home later in the inning on an infield single by Dan Novak, who had two hits in the game. The ball was misplayed by the second baseman allowing Hilbert to come all the way around from second base.
Though neither team scored after the first inning, the game was tense throughout. Whitman, which had 10 hits in the game, had several opportunities to pad its lead, stranding runners in several innings. Northwest had several additional opportunities to score as well.
In the fifth inning, second baseman Ethan Thompson jumped high in the air to snab a line drive and double up a runner on first to end the inning. The Jaguars, who had defeated Whitman earlier in the year, loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning but failed to score after left fielder Novak retreated to the fence to catch a ball for the final out.
The Vikings had reached the third round of the state playoffs two times in the last 10 years, but lost both times to Gaithersburg.
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Four-Run First Inning Carries Whitman Past Walter Johnson
May 11, 2009 --
The Vikings came out swinging against Walter Johnson in their opening round game of the playoffs on Monday evening, played in front of one of the largest home crowds of the season. The first four batters in the lineup singled, and when the inning was over, the Vikings had scored four runs on six hits. This was more than enough as senior pitcher Ethan Thompson took control from there and never relinquished the lead.
On a night that was intended to honor Whitman’s senior players, with many baseball alumni in attendance, the first five batters, all seniors, reached base. Jesse Mates led off the game with a single, followed by singles by Max Hilbert and Ethan Thompson, scoring one run. Chris Kelly followed with another single, which scored another run, and after a base on balls by Dan Novak, one out later, Michael Flack singled, scoring the third run of the inning. Danny Lee finished the scoring for the inning with a check swing single to right, which knocked in the fourth run.
After the Vikings’ first inning barrage, Ethan Thompson took over, scattering eight hits, striking out five along the way. Thompson and the Vikings were only really threatened once--in the top of the fifth inning. Walter Johnson put together four hits and scored one run, and, with the bases loaded, threatened to score more. But Thompson got the third out by coaxing a ground ball to Chris Kelly at first base to end the inning.
Max Hilbert and Chris Kelly paced the Viking attack with two hits a piece, including a triple by Hilbert in the bottom of the fourth inning, when the Vikings scored their fifth run.
Thompson held Walter Johnson in check for his fourth victory of the season, lowering his ERA to 2.27. Robin Mowatt and Carson Kenny each recorded three hits for Walter Johnson. But they proved to be not enough, as the Vikings won their sixth game in a row, following a heartbreaking loss to Quince Orchard in mid-April.
Whitman’s next playoff opponent is Northwest, who beat the Vikings 6-4 earlier this year. The game is scheduled for 4:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13, at Whitman.
Howard Flack
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Whitman Defeats Sherwood to Go 10-3
April 28, 2009 --
Strong defense, good pitching, timely hitting--the Walt Whitman Vikings used baseball's key ingredients to defeat last year's state champions, the Sherwood Warriors, by a 5-2 margin on Tuesday afternoon.
The Viking infield formed a leather curtain behind pitcher Ethan Thompson, who pitched a complete game for his third victory against three defeats. The infield--Danny Williams at third, Jesse Mates at short, Michael Flack at second, and Chris Kelly at first--accounted for 15 assists, some of them spectacular plays. Catcher Danny Lee repeatedly blocked pitches in the dirt to prevent Sherwood baserunners from advancing.
Thompson pitched his best game of the year, giving up only one earned run on a 280-foot homer over a short right-field fence. He took advantage of the thick, slow grass at Sherwood, keeping the ball down and coaxing ground ball outs. He only struck out two Sherwood batters, but the Warriors only managed to hit a handful of balls into the outfield. Thompson limited Sherwood to four hits.
The Vikings, who had been falling behind early, this time jumped on top in the first inning on a manufactured run. Lead-off hitter Mates opened the game with a walk, stole second, went to third on an infield out, and scored on a ground ball through the left side by Kelly.
Whitman added another run in the third inning after two were out. Mates doubled down the left-field line and went to third on a balk. Max Hilbert drove him home with a single to left.
The Vikings added two more runs in the fourth inning to push the score to 4-0. Daniel Novak lashed a double to the wall in right center and scored on a sharp single up the middle by Williams, who went all the way around to third after the ball went between the center-fielder's legs. Michael Flack drove him home with a one-out ground ball to second base.
Whitman let down its guard in the bottom of the fourth, allowing Sherwood to score twice, once on a homer, and a second time on a defensive lapse. But the Vikings regained the momentum after that, shutting down the Warriors over the final three innings.
Whitman scored an insurance run in the seventh inning, when Sam Sharpe hit a dribbler down the third-base line with the infield in that still managed to score Flack, who had singled earlier in the inning.
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Whitman Lets QO Game Slip Away
April 25, 2009 --
As Yogi Berra was fond of saying, "It's never over until it's over." The Walt Whitman Vikings provided a reminder of the wise one's sagacity on Saturday as they appeared to beat Quince Orchard only to let the game slip away.
The Saturday action was the continuation of a suspended game that started at Quince Orchard on Tuesday. The score was tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth, with Whitman runners on first and second and one out, when the rain came down. The game was picked up at Whitman rather than QO because Whitman had played at home earlier in the day and the field was ready.
Both teams elected to bring back their starting pitchers (Ethan Thompson for Whitman and Mike Ryan for Quince Orchard) since they had had three days rest. The pair had locked in a tense duel on Tuesday, which they continued on Saturday.
Whitman failed to score in the top of the eighth, despite opening with two men on base. The Vikings put a runner on in the ninth inning as well. Michael Flack opened the inning with a single to left, his second hit of the game. But QO turned a double-play on a sacrifice bunt to end the threat.
Meanwhile, Thompson picked up where he left off on Tuesday, keeping the Cougars off stride with a befuddling mix of curve balls, change-ups, and splitters. Thompson struck out four and walked two in 9 and two-thirds innings of work.
The Vikings finally scored in the top of the 10th inning to take a 2-1 lead. Jesse Mates led off with a single down the left-field line, his third hit of the game. He took second on an errant pick-off throw by Ryan. The bases were loaded after an intentional walk to Thompson and an infield single by Kelly. That brought the infield in. Mates was forced at the plate on a ground ball to second base. Two pitches later, Ryan threw a curveball in the dirt that eluded the catcher and Thompson ran home to score the go-ahead run.
Thompson retired the first batter in the bottom of the 10th, but the second reached on an infield error. The second out was recorded on a long fly ball. QO had two runners on base when Thompson appeared to strike out Ryan on a ball in the dirt for the final out. But Whitman couldn't get the runner out at first, which loaded the bases for QO's clean-up hitter. He lined a single to left to score two runs and win the game 3-2.
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Whitman Rolls to Victory Over Kennedy
April 26, 2009 --
The Walt Whitman Vikings rolled to a 12-5 victory over Kennedy on Saturday afternoon, running their record to an impressive 9-2 on the season. Danny Williams picked up the win for the Vikings, pitching the final four innings and allowing only one hit. Virtually everyone Viking got to hit and play the field.
Williams, who also drove in two runs, entered to pitch in the fourth inning in relief of Ross Olchyk and Danny Shannahan. He struck out four and walked only one batter en route to the victory.
Kennedy, which had played a game earlier in the day, came out hitting in the first inning, scoring two runs on three hits. But Whitman returned the favor in the bottom of the first, bringing three runners across the plate.
Jesse Mates, who had walked and advanced around the base paths on a stolen base and a wild pitch, scored on a sacrifice fly by Max Hilbert. Ethan Thompson walked, stole second and third, and scored on a wild pitch. Williams singled home the final run of the inning.
The Vikings scored two more runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-2 lead. Danny Lee crushed a triple to the warning track in right-center and scored when Jason Keene grounded out to the pitcher. Mates scored the second run on a wild pitch after doubling sharply and stealing third.
After Kennedy closed to within 5-4, the Vikings scored once in the bottom of the third, when Lee hit a sacrifice fly to score Dan Novak, who had singled. Whitman put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kennedy wild pitches and errors led to several runs. The big blow of the inning, though, was a two-run single by Williams.
The Vikings capped the scoring in the fifth inning, when Thompson hit a ground ball to third that scored Mates, who had walked and stolen two bases. Mates scored three times in the game. He has nine stolen bases on the season.
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Whitman Beats Churchill on Community Night
April 24, 2009 --
The roughly 150 fans who came out to watch Whitman play Churchill on Thursday night were treated to all the excitement and spectacle one would expect from our national pastime. They also got to see a great baseball game, as Whitman defeated Churchill 12-6 to improve its record to 8-2. Michael Flack (3-0) recorded the victory for Whitman, assisted by two strong innings of relief from Danny Williams.
Even the weather cooperated as Principal Dr. Alan Goodwin shook off some pre-game jitters and fired a perfect strike to Danny Lee in a ceremonial first pitch. Announcer Dan Shannahan got virtually every name right as the players on each team stepped forward to take a bow, then stood at attention as the national anthem played.
The carnival-like atmosphere was interrupted by the sound of stinging steel in the bottom of the first as the Vikings put an early hurt on the Bulldogs, scoring three times. With the crowd cheering each hitter, Whitman opened the game with three straight rockets to left field. By the time it was over, Jesse Mates, Max Hilbert, and Ethan Thompson had scored to make it 3-0.
As lines at the Armands concession formed, and the souvenier booth sold out of white Whitman hats, Churchill struck back with two runs in the top of the second inning. The slugfest was on. The Bulldogs, who brought out dozens of fans themselves, would have scored more if not for an inning-ending play at the plate. A long double to the wall in right field scored two runners, but a third was gunned down at the plate on a perfect relay from Daniel Berman, to Thompson, to catcher Danny Lee.
Undaunted, Whitman stormed back with three more runs in the second inning. Mates walked then swiped second and third base. Hilbert singled, his second of three hits on the night, then stole second. Thompson drove him home on a two-strike count, ripping a high fastball down the left-field line, stole second, and, two wild pitches later, scored the third run of the inning, making it 6-2.
Meanwhile, burritos were flying out of the ballpark, thanks to a raffle of Chipotle gift certificates. And, as if the parental units needed further proof evidence that all the children of Bethesda and Potomac are above average, virtually every kid asked to participate in a ball toss between innings fired it into the bucket to win candy.
But the real excitement was the baseball game. After the pesky Bulldogs came right back with three runs of their own in the top of the third to make it 6-5, the Vikings scored another three runs in the bottom of the third to run the score to 9-5. Senior third baseman Williams clobbered a double into the gap in left-center field, his first of two long doubles on the evening. The bases were loaded after Flack walked and Lee hit an infield single. Sam Sharpe drove in the first run. Two other runs scored on Churchill errors.
The Vikings added solo runs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th. Flack singled sharply to left to score Williams who had doubled in the fourth inning. In the fifth, Hilbert, who had three line-drive hits, roped a long double to left, stole third, and scored when Thompson grounded to short. Williams smacked a double that nearly reached the wall in right-center to open the sixth, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sac fly by Flack.
Williams came on in relief of Flack in the sixth inning and retired the Bulldogs 1-2-3. After he worked out of trouble in the seventh inning to end the game, the teams lined up to shake hands, the last pizza slices were given away, the t-shirt concession shut down, and the fans filed out, knowing they'd experienced more than just a great high school baseball game. They'd been treated to an ageless piece of American culture. It's as Whitman said, "The game of ball is glorius."
The "grounds crew" (mostly Whitman position players) stayed after to rake the dirt around their stations and put away the equipment. By the time coach Cassidy turned off the lights and locked the gates at 9:30, everyone had gone home. Besides the crumpled up pizza wrappers under the stands, there were few clues that a game had even been played.
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Whitman Battles Quince Orchard to 1-1 Tie
April 21, 2009 --
Walt Whitman battled Quince Orchard to a tense 1-1 tie on Tuesday afternoon in a game that was suspended due to lightning in the top of the 8th inning with Viking runners on first and second base with one out. The game will be completed on Saturday afternoon at Whitman.
The pitcher's duel pitted Whitman's Ethan Thompson against QO's Mike Ryan, a pre-season all-state selection. Both pitchers were supported by fabulous defensive play, including several double-plays and long fly balls run down by outfielders. The game was played under what felt like playoff conditions.
With one out in the top of the eighth, Thompson reached on a rare error by QO's third baseman, who was otherwise stellar. Pinch-runner Jason Keene took second on a wild pitch. Chris Kelly was walked intentionally to bring up Daniel Novak, a left-handed hitter to face the left-handed Ryan. Play was halted after lightning struck in right field.
Quince Orchard got on the scoreboard first, scoring its lone run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly to center. Whitman scored its run in the fifth inning, when freshman Michael Flack led off with a long double over the left-fielder's head that rolled up the embankment. Danny Lee dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Flack to third, and was safe at first when the peg to third failed to get Flack. Flack scored after Jesse Mates, who had two hits on the day, hit a comebacker to Ryan that he threw to second to get Lee. Flack broke for home on the play. The throw to the plate was too late to get him.
Whitman used some great defense to get out of trouble in the second inning. With runners on first and second and one out, third baseman Danny Williams fielded a ground ball and threw to second for one out. Second baseman Michael Flack's throw to first was in the dirt, but Kelly scooped it to make the double-play. Later in the game, Hilbert ranged deep into center field to make an over-the-shoulder catch on a ball that otherwise might have gone for a home run.
Whitman had two good opportunities to score a second run but couldn't convert. The Vikings stranded two runners in the first, after Mates led off with a single and Kelly walked. In the third, Mates reached second base with one out. The next two batters, Max Hilbert and Thompson, lined out sharply to right.
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