North Hagerstown Hubs Baseball

#9-CHRIS PALMER, SENIOR
2006 All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Infielder, First Team
2006 All-Washington County Infielder, First Team

#11-FREDDIE KREIGER, SENIOR
2006 All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Infielder, Second Team
2006 All-Washington County Infielder, Second Team

#6-JUSTIN WEAVER, SENIOR
2006 All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Infielder, First Team
2006 All-Washington County Infielder, First Team
2006 Herald-Mail All-Area, DH, Second Team

#15-KENT WORTHINGTON, SENIOR
2006 All-Washington County Pitcher, First Team
2006 All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Pitcher, Second Team

#21-MARCELLUS SUMLIN, JUNIOR
2006 All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Outfielder, Second Team
2006 All-Washington County Utility Player, Second Team

#12-MARK DATILLIO, JUNIOR
2006 All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Outfielder, First Team
2006 All-Washington County Outfielder, First Team

OTHER 2006 AWARDS
#5-DANNY OLSON, SENIOR
2006 All-Washington County, Honorable Mention
#17-KYLE HOFFMAN, SOPHOMORE
2006 All-Washington County, Honorable Mention
#10-ADAM TOSTEN, SENIOR
2006 All-Washington County, Honorable Mention
#1-TOMMY EVANS, JUNIOR
2006 All-Washington County, Honorable Mention

2006 Players of the Games

at Frederick: Kent Worthington (Win, 2-2, RBI)
at Hedgesville: Justin Weaver (HR, 3 RBI's); Chris Palmer (3-3)
vs Linganore: Chris Palmer (3-3, RBI), Tommy Evans (3 RBI's)
vs Smithsburg: Kreiger (2-3, Win), Robinson (3-4), Weaver (3-5), Sumlin (3-4)
at Williamsport: Adam Tosten (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI's)
at Clear Spring: Kyle Hoffman (Win, 6+ inn, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 K's)
vs Catoctin: Kent Worthington (3-4, 3 RBI's, 2-hit ShO, Win); Marcellus Sumlin (3-4, 3 RBI's, game ending hit)
vs Westminster: Cody Nelling (1.3 IP, 0 ER)
vs South Hagerstown: Justin Weaver (3-4, HR, 4 RBI's); Freddie Kreiger (Win, 4 IP, 0 ER)
at Boonsboro: Kent Worthington (6.1 innings, 0 ER, 5 K's)
at South Hagerstown: Mark Dattilio (2-3, HR, 4 RBI's)
at Smithsburg: Danny Olson (3-4, HR, 3 RBI's, 3 runs)
at Brunswick:
at Williamsport:
at Boonsboro:
vs Clear Spring: Marcellus Sumlin (2-4, 2 RBI's)
at Catoctin: Mark Dattilio (2 hits, 3 RBI's)
vs South Hagerstown: Kent Worthington (CG win)
vs Allegany: Kyle Hoffman (1 ER), Josh Koontz (two-run double)

PLAYOFFS
vs Francis Scott Key: Mark Dattilio (3-3)
at South Carroll: Marcellus Sumlin (CG win)
at Liberty: Danny Olson (2-3)

2006 North Hagerstown Schedule & Results
Wednesday 22-Mar Away FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL, WON 5-1
Friday 24-Mar Away HEDGESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 5-6
Wednesday 29-Mar Home LINGANORE HIGH SCHOOL, WON 6-5
Friday 31-Mar Home SMITHSBURG, WON 18-8
Wednesday 5-Apr Away WILLIAMSPORT, LOST 2-4
Monday 10-Apr Away Clear Spring, WON 7-3
Wednesday 12-Apr Home CATOCTIN, WON 10-0
Saturday 15-Apr Home WESTMINSTER (Easter Tour), LOST 1-20
Saturday 15-Apr Home SOUTH HAGERSTOWN, WON 15-5
Friday 18-Apr Away BOONSBORO, LOST 0-1
Wednesday 19-Apr Away SOUTH HAGERSTOWN HIGH, WON 11-5
Friday 21-Apr Away SMITHSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, WON 18-3
Monday 24-Apr Home BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 1-0
Monday 24-Apr Away BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 4-3
Wednesday 26-Apr Home WILLIAMSPORT HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 9-5
Friday 28-Apr Home BOONSBORO HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 12-5
Monday 1-May Home Clear Spring High School, LOST 14-8
Wednesday 3-May Away CATOCTIN HIGH SCHOOL, WON 13-5
Friday 5-May Home SOUTH HAGERSTOWN HIGH SCH, WON 12-1
Monday 8-May Home ALLEGANY HIGH SCHOOL, WON 6-5
PLAYOFFS: 2A West Quarterfinals
Monday 15-May Home FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, WON 7-6
PLAYOFFS: 2A West Semifinals
Wednesday 17-May Away SOUTH CARROLL HS, WON 6-2
PLAYOFFS: 2A West Finals
Friday 19-May Away LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 4-3

2006 Varsity Stat Leaders

(FINAL OVERALL)

BATTING LEADERS
Hits: 30, Mark Dattilio, Chris Palmer
Batting Avg: .492, Chris Palmer
Singles: 24, Chris Palmer
Doubles: 8, Justin Weaver
Triples: 1, Chris Palmer, Justin Weaver
HR's: 6, Justin Weaver
RBI's: 24, Justin Weaver
Runs: 21, Justin Weaver, Freddie Kreiger
SB's: 7, Freddie Kreiger
Walks: 16, Marcellus Sumlin
SLG%: .767, Justin Weaver
OB%: .577, Chris Palmer
XBH: 15, Justin Weaver
Total Bases: 56, Justin Weaver
HBP's: 7, Kent Worthington
Avg/RISP: .552, Mark Dattilio

PITCHING LEADERS
Wins: 4, Kent Worthington
Saves: 1, Justin Weaver, Cadyn Robinson
Strikeouts: 39, Kent Worthington
ERA: 2.69, Kent Worthington
Shutouts: 1, Kent Worthington
Complete Games: 5, Kent Worthington
Win PCT: 100.0%, Kyle Hoffman, Freddie Kreiger
WHIP: 1.09, Justin Weaver
Opp Avg: .111, Justin Weaver

FIELDING LEADERS
Most Assists: 44, Justin Weaver
PO's: 107, Tommy Evans
Fielding PCT: .983, Chris Palmer
____________________________________________________________________

Tommy Evans connecting on the game winning hit

Hubs do it the hard way, beat Allegany 6-5 in the bottom of seventh

May 8, 2006---North Hagerstown blew a three-run seventh inning lead, but recovered with a last inning rally to pull out a dramatic 6-5 victory over visiting non-conference foe Allegany.

The Hubs scored one run in the first on a Danny Olson RBI double and two in the second frame on a Josh Koontz two-run double.

North stole a run in the third as Adam Tosten sprinted home from third after pinch runner Mike Twigg swiped second base, giving the Hubs a 5-1 lead.

The Campers got one run in the sixth inning after a single by Ryan Buzzard and double by Eric Shank, chasing North starter Kyle Hoffman. Hoffman pitched over five strong innings, allowing only one earned run, while striking out four.

Back to back singles and a error allowed Allegany to put two quick runs on the board in the top of the seventh. Shawn Helmsetter tied the game with a bloop single. Hubs closer Justin Weaver retired the final three batters---ending the Camper threat.

North would have a gold opportunity to win the game in the last of the seventh as the heart of the Hubs order was due up.

Number three batter Justin Weaver started the inning with a single. Kent Worthington tried to sacrifice bunt Weaver to second, but drew a walk instead. Mark Dattilio moved both runners with a bunt, but beat the throw to first---loading the bases with no outs.

Now the stage was set. The bases loaded, no outs, and one of the area top hitters at the plate---Chris Palmer---to win the game. Palmer didn't dissapoint the home crowd as he slapped a single to center to give the Hubs a victory in the regular season finale.

The Hubs finish the regular season at (11-9, 7-7) and will receive a first round bye in the 2A West playoffs. North will open the playoffs on Monday, May 15 at home.

Boonsboro, Shifler blanks Hubs, 1-0

Boonsboro, MD---xxx

Boonsboro scalps Hubs, 12-5

Ugly night in Brunswick

Ejections, costly errors highlight conference sweep to 'Roaders

Brunswick, MD---The North Hagerstown Hubs suffered two huge L's in the loss column and three members of their team on Monday evening in Brunswick. The Roaders won the first game 1-0, completing a suspended game from April 3, while winning the nightcap 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth.

In the first game, a seventh inning error and a double led to Brunswick breaking the scoring ice. The Hubs went quietly in the bottom of the seventh, giving the 'Roaders a 1-0 victory.

The second game saw the Hubs commit six errors, while having three members of the team ejected. North acually capitalized on two Brunswick errors to put two runs on the board.

The game remained tied 3-3 for four innings. In the top of the ninth with the Hubs knocking on the door, Hubs first base coach Steve Greathead was ejected after arguing a questionable call. North loaded the bases, but Brunswick reliever Aaron Main got Danny Olson to fly out---ending the Hubs threat.

Hubs reliever Cody Nelling pitched a solid game out of the pen, going six innings, while not allowing a run until the bottom of the ninth inning.

After two walks, another questionable call at first base loaded the bases for Brunswick. The umpire tossed North third baseman Freddie Kreiger for questioning the close call, then ran Hubs pitching coach Fred Kreiger.

After order was restored, Nelling struck out Davis Keller for the first out of the inning. Nelling's first pitch to Mike Minch was wild, bringing Seth Keyser to the plate.

Hub's catcher Tommy Evans recovered the ball and tossed it to Nelling covering the plate. Nelling's tag appeared to beat the runner---but the umpire called Keyser safe---ending the game and an ugly night in Brunswick.

Hubs -'Roaders game derailed by Mother Nature

April 3, 2006---For five innings on Monday North Hagerstown's Kent Worthington and Brunswick's Chris Porter locked up in a MVAL-Antietam Conference pitching duel---until Mother Nature had other plans. A strong thunderstorm rolled through the area, halting a scoreless game in the top of the sixth. Both teams will likely resume the game when they meet again in Brunswick on April 24.

Hubs bust skid, beat Catoctin, 13-5

Hubs hammer Catoctin, 10-0
Worthington, Sumlin, Evans lead North past first place Cougars

April 12, 2006---In in any level of baseball when a team gets great pitching, great hitting, and great fielding is usually adds up to a victory in the win column. On Wednesday afternoon at Chuck Zonis Field---it did.

The Hubs pounded out 16 hits and Kent Worthington held Catoctin to only two hits in North's 10-0 six-inning victory over the first place Cougars.

Worthington helped his own cause at the plate, going 3-for-4, with three RBI's, while Marcellus Sumlin also added three hits and three RBI's.

Tommy Evans broke out with a monster homerun to left in the second inning, then caught Catoctin off guard by laying down a bunt single. Justin Weaver added two hits and two RBI's.

The Hubs improve to (5-2, 3-1) and will face the MVAL's Chesapeake Conference leader, Westminster (8-1, 5-0), on Saturday at 11AM in the Zonis Easter Tournament.

Hubs slide continues, Clear Spring defeats North, 14-8

Hagerstown, MD---xxx

Sophomore Hoffman pitches Hubs to 7-3 victory over Clear Spring
Palmer, Dattilio, Weaver pick up big hits in conference road win

Clear Spring, MD---Kyle Hoffman started his first career varsity baseball game on Monday afternoon. The North sophomore looked like a seasoned veteran as he kept Clear Spring without a hit for five innings. Hoffman almost went the distance, running out of gas with two outs in the seventh, but still picked up the win in the Hubs 7-3 victory over the Blazers.

North used two walks and an error to load the bases in the second inning. Tommy Evans drew the third walk of the inning to force in the game's first run. Chris Palmer blooped a ball over the infield for a RBI single and Cody Nelling hit into a fielder choice driving in the Hubs third run of the inning.

Mark Dattilio jumped on a Nathan Mills pitch for a two-run homerun in the third inning to extend the North lead to 5-0.

North tacked on two more runs with Palmer's RBI single in the fifth and Justin Weaver's solo homerun in the sixth---giving the Hubs a 7-1 advantage.

The Blazers finally got to Hoffman in the seventh with four hits---but it was too little, too late. Justin Weaver relieved Hoffman and got Aaron Mills to bounce out to first base for the save.

Palmer had two of the Hubs five hits, while also driving in two runs. Weaver, Dattilio, and Cadyn Robinson each scored two runs in the win.

Hoffman (1-0) finished with only two earned runs over six and two-thirds, with four strikeouts. Weaver recorded North's first save of the season.

The Hubs improve to (4-2, 2-1) and will come home on Wednesday to face Catoctin. A pitchers duel between two of the MVAL's best hurlers is likely as North's Kent Worthington (2-0) is scheduled to face the Cougar's Jake Yocum (2-2).

Hubs have "Key" to playoff victory

Evans RBI single in bottom of seventh leads North to 7-6 victory over FSK, sends Hubs to 2A West Semis

by JACK HILL III / Staff Correspondent

May 15, 2006---Tommy Evans stroked an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead North Hagerstown to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over Francis Scott Key in a Maryland Class 2A West baseball quarterfinal Monday.

Evans' game-winner capped North's rally from a 6-2 deficit in the final two innings.

With one out in the seventh, Chris Palmer and Danny Olson walked to set up Evans' heroics. Evans delivered with a line drive to right.

"Tommy Evans has struggled a little bit at the plate," North coach Shawn Reynolds said. "But he came through with a big hit for us in the last inning. He hit the ball in the right spot."

The Hubs (12-9), the No. 3 seed in the region, will travel to No. 2 seed South Carroll for a semifinal matchup Wednesday at 4:30. The Cavaliers edged Century 11-10 on Monday.

Down 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth, the Hubs finally got something going. Mark Dattilio opened the inning with an infield single. Palmer drew a walk and Olson advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt before Evans walked to load the bases.

Adam Tosten singled in Dattilio and Fred Kreiger knocked in Palmer with a base hit to cut the Eagles' lead in half. Evans also tried to score on the play but was gunned down at the plate.

Marcellus Sumlin followed with a double to left to tie the score.

"It's a big win for us," Reynolds said. "We survived. That's what the playoffs are all about: surviving. We were down by four runs, but we didn't give up. We showed a lot of guts and determination. We could have easily folded up our tents. But we showed a lot of toughness and battled. We stayed in the ballgame."

Kreiger, Dattilio and Tosten each had two hits for the Hubs. Justin Weaver got the win in relief.

North grabbed an early 2-0 lead with two runs in the first. With two outs, Weaver slugged a solo homer to center. Kent Worthington beat out an infield single to the shortstop. After taking second on a passed ball, Worthington's courtesy runner, Nathan Harden, scored when Dattilio reached on a fielding error.

The Eagles (11-11) tied it with two runs in the fourth when Logan Hersh was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Matt Ward hit an RBI grounder.

The Eagles got four runs in the top of the sixth for a 6-2 lead. Justin Franklin had an RBI single, Matt Hyson hit a sacrifice fly to center and Jimmy Gilford added a two-run triple to right.

Hubs fall to Liberty in Regional Championship, 4-3

Hubs win thriller over Linganore, 6-5

March 29, 2006---The North Hagerstown Hubs used skill and some luck to pull out a thrilling 6-5 final inning victory over Linganore on Wednesday afternoon.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh, Adam Tosten hit a ball that could have been a game-ending double play. Linganore got the second out at second base, but the throw to first for the double-play went wide---allowing two runs to score, giving the Hubs a tough non-conference victory.

The Hubs plated three runs in the third inning with a two out rally. Consecutive hits by Mark Dattilio, Cadyn Robinson, Chris Palmer, and Tommy Evans put North ahead 3-0.

After the Lancers scored two runs in the top of the fourth, The Hubs added one more in the bottom half on a Tommy Evans sacrifice fly.

The error bug hit the Hubs in the sixth inning, as the first three Lancers reached base on North miscues. Linganore's Mike Herrod drilled a two-run double and Jay Greene's sac-fly gave the Lancers a 5-4 lead.

North's Chris Palmer continues to swing a red-hot bat, going 3-for-3, with a double, and a RBI. Mark Dattilio and Freddie Kreiger had two hits each, while Tommy Evans drove in three runs in the Hub victory.

Kent Worthington (2-0) pitched a complete game victory, striking out four, allowing only two earned runs, while walking none.

The Hubs improve to (2-1) and will start conference play at home on Friday against Smithsburg at 4PM.

Hubs defeat South Hagerstown, 11-5

by Curt Hornbecker, Herald-Mail

Hagerstown, MD---Marcellus Sumlin's change of uniform colors from green to red gave the South Hagerstown baseball team the blues Wednesday night.

The North Hagerstown southpaw settled down after a shaky start against his former teammates and sparked the Hubs to an 11-5 MVAL Antietam win again their crosstown rivals.

"I felt more confident as the game went on, playing against my old school," said Sumlin (1-2). "I was able to settle down, and I knew our defense would back me up."

Mark Dattilio's second home run of the season - a three-run shot to left - broke the game open for North (7-4, 4-2) in the seventh. Until then, South's pitchers managed to dodge bullet after bullet.

Despite issuing nine walks and hitting two batters, the Rebels (2-8, 2-7) trailed by just three runs entering the seventh inning, as North left the bases loaded in three of the first four innings.

"We just couldn't get the big hit early," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "We left 10 runners in the first four innings. Finally, we got a big hit late in the game, and that opened it up a little bit."

A critical play at the plate in the bottom of the third thwarted a Rebels rally and changed the complexion of the game.

With the score tied 3-3 in the third, Brad Logsdon's single to right center scored Zach Bucher. But Zeke Ricketts, following Bucher, was called out at the plate for lowering his shoulder into North catcher Tommy Evans.

Had Ricketts slid in safely at the plate, South would have had a 5-3 lead with one out and a runner at second. Instead, Sumlin managed to retire Derrick Hendershot to end the inning.

Ricketts was ejected from the game for the incident and is forced to sit out South's next game on Friday.

"(Ricketts) said he was trying to dive around (Evans), but (Evans) moved in front of him," said South coach Ralph Stottlemyer. "That was a big play, but losing him was even bigger."

North regained the lead with two runs in the top of the fourth on a Justin Weaver double, walks to Kent Worthington and Dattilio, and a two-run Chris Palmer single.

Two more Hubs scored in the fifth on two walks, two stolen bases and an RBI groundout.

Bucher plated South's first two runs with his third home run of the season in the first inning.

South starter Brock Jamison (1-2) gave up five earned runs in 3 1/3 innings of work and handed out five walks while fanning four.

Cadyn Robinson pitched the final two innings to pick up the save.

Olson, Hubs batter Smithsburg, 18-3

Smithsburg, MD---Danny Olson had three hits, including a three-run home run, and North Hagerstown pounded out 18 hits to defeat Smithsburg in an MVAL Antietam game.

Marcellus Sumlin, Justin Weaver, Chris Palmer, Cody Nelling and Fred Kreiger had two hits each for the Hubs (8-4, 5-2). Justin Weaver and Mark Dattilio hit home runs.

Josh Conway, Josh Humelsine and Kevin Kocsis had two hits each for the Leopards (4-9, 1-7).

Hubs comeback to smash Smithsburg, 19-8

March 31, 2006---The Hubs were in a tough situation heading to the bottom of the second on Friday afternoon---down eight runs with starters on the bench. North wasn't fazed as they proceeded to score 19 runs over the next five innings to ten-run Smithsburg, 19-8.

Smithsburg capitalized on several North errors and some timely hitting to jump on the Hubs 8-0 after two innings.

The Hubs started their scoring barrage in the bottom of the second, highlighted by Freddie Kreiger four-base error that cut the lead to 8-3.

The North bats caught fire in the bottom of the third---putting a nine-spot on the scoreboard. Justin Weaver had two extra base hits in the frame with a double and a triple, while Cadyn Robinson and Mark Dattilio also had two hits each in the inning, as the Hubs sent 14 players to the plate.

The Red & Black tacked on five more runs over the next two innings to increase the lead 17-8. Kreiger took over for Marcellus Sumlin on the mound and absolutley shutdown the Leopards. The senior right-hander pitched 3 2/3 innings, striking out six, while not allowing a run.

Kreiger, who picked up the win, gave way to Justin Weaver. Weaver pitched a scoreless sixth by striking out the side.

Weaver led off the bottom of the sixth with a rope into the right-center gap resulting in a double. After a groundout, senior Kent Worthington stepped to the plate for the first time. Worthington crushed a 3-0 pitch over the left field fence, giving the Hubs a 19-8 ten-run rule victory.

Sumiln, Weaver, Dattilio, and Robinson each had three hits to lead the Hubs. Kreiger, Cody Nelling, and Chris Palmer picked up two hits each in the Hubs 21 hit attack. Sumlin, Dattilio, Nelling, and Kreiger added three RBI's each.

North improves to (3-1, 1-0) and will start an important stretch on Monday as they host the Brunswick Railroaders.

Sumlin pitches gem, Hubs "walk" past South Carroll, 6-2

Double Rebel Three-Peat

May 5, 2006---The North Hagerstown Hubs earned a pair of three-peats with their 12-1 victory over South Hagerstown at Municipal Stadium on Friday evening.

North won all three games in the season series with South Hagerstown, while also winning the third straight Diamond Classic Trophy.

Freddie Kreiger, Mark Dattilio, and Danny Olson each had two hits in the five-inning victory. Marcellus Sumlin reached base all four times to the plate with three walks and a HBP, while also scoring three runs.

Justin Weaver and Kent Worthington had three RBI's and Dattilio drove in two runs.

Worthington pitched five complete with six strikeouts, while picking up his fourth win of the season.

The Hubs improve to (10-9, 7-7) and will face Allegany on Monday afternoon.

Cats use extra effort to defeat Hubs, 9-5

by Curt Hornbecker, Herald-Mail

Most baseball teams would be ecstatic to get six extra base hits in a game.

Williamsport turned the trick in just one inning Wednesday, using a seven-run sixth to topple North Hagerstown 9-5 in an MVAL Antietam game.

The Wildcats collected four doubles, two triples and a pair of infield singles off Hubs starter Marcellus Sumlin (1-3) to rally from a 4-2 deficit.

"We've been waiting for that," said Williamsport coach Larnie Vickers. "They kept their heads in it and they got it. We were hitting the ball well tonight, but in the sixth they just started dropping."

Jason Sutherland knocked in two runs with a double, while Phil Jordan, Aerik Taylor, Ryan Heavener, Derek Hadley and Tyler Beard each drove in a run in the sixth for Williamsport (8-8, 6-4).

"They swung the bats well in that one inning," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "I knew (Sumlin) was close to his pitch count, but we're kind of banged up arm-wise. A couple kids we would use in that situation have sore arms."

The big inning made a winner of Heavener (2-2), the Wildcats' starter, who overcame first-inning control problems.

The right-hander walked Sumlin and Mark Dattilio to start the game before Kent Worthington's double gave the Hubs a 2-0 lead.

Doubles from Jordan and Sutherland made it 2-1 in the second and Taylor's third home run of the season tied it at 2-2 in the fourth.

North (8-7, 5-5) broke the tie in the fifth on a Dattilio double, a walk to Worthington and RBI singles from Chris Palmer and Tommy Evans.

The Hubs pushed across a run in the seventh on a Worthington single and an RBI double by Palmer, but Justin Bussard came on to close it out for Williamsport.

Taylor's three hits and two RBI sparked the Wildcats, while Sutherland drove in three with two hits.

Worthington went 3-for-3 for North with two RBI and Palmer had two hits and two RBI.

Miscues cost Hubs in 4-2 loss to Cats

Hubs experience both sides of 10-run rule in Zonis Tournament

by Chris Carter, Herald-Mail

North Hagerstown's baseball team had plenty of offense left for crosstown rival South Hagerstown on Saturday afternoon.

The Hubs' bats, which were virtually dormant in an earlier loss to Westminster, came alive against the Rebels to the tune of 12 hits, leading to a 15-5 victory in six innings and a split in the Chuck Zonis Easter Classic.

The Hubs dropped the opener to the Owls 20-1 in five innings.

"It's good to win by the 10-run rule after losing by it," said Hubs shortstop Justin Weaver.

Weaver put the Hubs ahead early against South, skying a Zach Bucher fastball over the fence to left-center for a two-run home run and a 2-0 lead after the first inning.

"It was a fastball down the middle. That's the pitch I'm going to sit on," Weaver said. "I knew it was gone. I know when I hit it like that, it's going out."

James Hutzler scored on a Luke Lichtenberg single to get the South (1-7) on the board in second. The Hubs (6-3) got it back in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a bases-loaded walk to Fred Kreiger - one of three walks in the inning and 11 in the game that the Rebels gave up.

"No one pitcher had any consistency," said South coach Ralph Stottlemyer, who went through four pitchers. "That was the ballgame. We put them on base too much ... but they also hit the ball well."

The closest thing to consistent pitching for the Rebels was when Bucher retired the Hubs in order in the third on 11 pitches. Bucher did not take the hill in the fourth.

"We're going to want to use him later. We have three games later this week," Stottlemyer said. "We wanted to get some other guys some work, too."

Facing a new pitcher in the fourth, the Hubs broke the game open. Kyle Hoffman and Mark Dattilio opened the inning with back-to-back hits and Chris Palmer followed with a run-scoring single. A walk to Fred Kreiger loaded the bases and another free pass to Marcellus Sumlin scored a run to make it 5-1. Weaver singled to bring in another run and Cadyn Robinson was the seventh consecutive Hub to reach base with a three-run double. Robinson later scored to give the Hubs a 10-1 lead.

Kreiger was solid on the mound for the Hubs, allowing just three hits over four innings with five strikeouts. He gave way in the fifth to Robinson, who was one strike away from a perfect inning when he beaned Rebels cleanup hitter Zeke Ricketts. Josh Dowler came up next and blasted a two-run homer to close the deficit to 10-3.

"You put people on base, then you give extra outs," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "We did that a couple of times early in the game and got away with it, but most times it's going to cost you."

Robinson surrendered another two-run home run in the sixth to cut the lead to 10-5, but got an inning-ending double play to prevent further damage.

The Hubs clinched the win in the bottom of the inning by taking advantage of everything South had to give. After a groundout, the next eight Hubs reached base on three walks, two hit batters and three singles, resultinh in five runs - the last an RBI single by Robinson that triggered the 10-run rule. Robinson and Weaver finished with four RBI apiece.

The Hubs were beneficiaries of walks against South, but were the ones doing the giving in the opener against Westminster. The first three North pitchers combined to give up 11 walks, combining with 16 Westminster hits to make for a long morning.

Sumlin started for the Hubs and allowed two runs in the first two innings, but was roughed up in the third. The junior southpaw walked two and gave up home runs to Jeff Pfarr, Steve Krider and Sean Blake. The Owls (9-1) batted around to score five to increase the lead to 7-1.

The fourth inning turned out to be much more grim for the Hubs. Westminster sent 15 hitters to the plate and scored 12 - capped by winning pitcher Chris Maienshein's three-run home run - to go up 19-1. North walked six and made three errors in the inning.

"The score is not indicative of the team North Hagerstown has," said Westminster coach Bryan Harman. "We've been in some tight ballgames up here and we wanted to get as many runs as possible."

Hubs cage Leopards, 12-1

By TIM KOELBLE / April 25, 2012

HAGERSTOWN— The parade of hits and runs keeps on coming for the North Hagerstown baseball team.

The Hubs rapped out 10 hits and, along with seven walks, put them all to good use in reaching their season scoring average, knocking off Smithsburg 12-2 on Wednesday in five innings.

“From the top of the order to the middle, we’re strong, and I think we’re getting better at the bottom,” said North coach Drew Crawford.

North (13-1, 8-1 MVAL Antietam) took a 2-1 lead in the second inning and then put together a four-run third and six-run fourth to make it a short afternoon.

J.T. Root exended his hitless streak to 13 1/3 innings with four innings of work to gain his fifth win.

He allowed a first-inning run with wildness, issuing two walks, throwing two wild pitches and committing a throwing error on a pickoff attempt that plated a run for Smithsburg.

After two good innings, Root again was wild in the fourth, walking one and hitting two batters before leaving the bases stranded.

“J.T. battled through four innings,” said Crawford. “He was wild high with his mechanics. Having to battle through that problem, it might have been good for him to experience those problems now.”

When he was in the mechanical groove, Root made it hard on Smithsburg batters, striking out eight.

“(Root) threw a heck of a four innings,” said Smithsburg coach Trey Cobb.

North’s Andrew Yacyk doubled in Matt Daley for a run in the first and Root scored on a single by Alijah Benson in the second for a 2-1 lead.

Charles Cvijanovich earned a leadoff walk in the third from Smithsburg’s Josh Miller, and he was followed by Matt Daley’s double, a walk to Yacyk to load the bases and a two-run double by Philip Pietro.

North made it 5-3 on a groundout RBI by C.J. Owings and an RBI double by Root for a 6-3 lead.

Benson started the fourth for North with an infield bunt single, and he scored from first on a double by Cvijanovich. Daley walked and Yacyk smacked a two-run double for a 9-1 lead.

Yacyk, Root and Benson had two hits each for the Hubs.

The Leopards (2-13, 0-9), in the midst of one of the their worst years in recent memory, had one ball hit out of the infield.

“The way we played, it didn’t look like we wanted to win today, and that’s a shame,” said Cobb. “We could have fought harder. We weren’t ready to hit the ball and didn’t give (Miller) any support. We know we can win, we just have not played well.”

North Hagerstown 12, Smithsburg 2
Smithsburg  1 0 0 0 1 —  2   0  0
North Hag    1 1 4 6 x — 12 10 1
Miller, Tracy (4), Lee (4) and Shifler. Root, Schreiber (5) and Williams.
WP—Root (5-0)
LP—Miller (0-2)



______________________________________________________________________

May 2004

Three other Hubs ink with colleges

Hagerstown, MD---First, ace pitcher T.J. Hose signed with Division-I East Carolina in September of last year. Now three more Hubs will join him at the collegiate level next season.

Outfielder Trevor Hullinger has signed to play for ex-North star and current manager Ronnie Palmer at Salem-CC in New Jersey. On Thursday infielder Kyle Robinson and outfielder Orland Dean inked to play at Hagerstown Community College for the Hawks.

North Hagerstown will now will send a total of four players to the next level from the 2004 MVAL-Antietam Conference Championship team.

Hubs freeze Frederick, 6-1
Worthington, Dattilio, Robinson lead North to season opening victory

Frederick, MD---Kent Worthington pitched five innings, giving up only one run, on two hits, striking out five, while picking up two hits at the plate in the Hubs 6-1 victory over Frederick on Wednesday afternoon.

Mark Dattilio and Cadyn Robinson led North at the plate with three hits, while each drove in two runs.

North moves to (1-0) and will travel to West Virginia on Friday to meet the Hedgesville Eagles at 4PM.

Hubs stage comeback, fall to Hedgesville, 6-5

by Tim Koelble, Herald-Mail

Hedgesville, WV---The bases are loaded, the No. 5 batter's up and there's only one out.

The last thing to expect is exactly what Hedgesville coach Ben Merica called for, resulting in a surprise ending to the Eagles' 6-5 victory over North Hagerstown on Friday.

Hedgesville (4-0) spoiled a North rally when its only hit in the bottom of the seventh inning went all of 8 feet - a squeeze bunt by Robert Ahalt that left plenty of room for Jesse Simmons to come sliding home with the decisive run.

With the hard-hitting Ahalt at bat and the North defense playing tight, Merica flashed the bunt signal with a 1-1 count and Ahalt deftly responded with the successful bunt.

"Robert's bunting skills are not that good," Merica said, smiling wryly. "He's a senior, he accepted the signal I flashed and got the job done. I suppose there was a little element of surprise there."

"We thought about (the bunt)," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "It was well done on their part."

North's Cadyn Robinson, the third Hubs pitcher, got into the jam with three walks, one of them an intentional pass to Logan Clark, Hedgesville's starting pitcher who earlier hit a pair of ringing doubles and a single.

After North (1-1) scored an unearned run in the fifth to get on the board at 5-1, the Hubs struck for four runs in the sixth inning off relief pitcher Matt Stewart.

With one out, Chris Palmer roped a triple, his third hit of the game. Adam Tosten followed with a walk and Fred Kreiger drove in a run on a force play at second. Marcellus Sumlin coaxed a walk as the Hubs went into the heart of their batting order.

Justin Weaver, who hit the ball hard in the fifth inning but had nothing t o show for it but an out, came to the plate as the tying run in the sixth, and hung a 2-2 fastball from Stewart out to dry with a liner over the fence to left-center field for a 5-5 tie.

"I'm happy with how we battled back and it shows we won't go away and die," said Reynolds.

The Hubs would have been in a better position had they come through early, leaving the bases loaded in the first inning. In the second, North had three hits without scoring, as Clark picked runners off base twice.

"We didn't get the hit early when we needed it," said Reynolds. "On the first pickoff, there was a signal missed and the second one just got picked."

Hedgesville opened with a first-inning run off Sumlin on a walk to Josh Lebo, the first of Clark's two doubles and a sacrifice fly by Justin Everhart.

The Eagles stretched their lead to 4-0 in the third when Simmons laid down a perfect bunt and went to third on Clark's second double, this one off the fence in center. After a walk to Everhart loaded the bases, Ahalt sent a potential double-play chopper to short. The Hubs got the out at second as Simmons scored, but Kreiger's throw from second was wide, allowing Clark to come around around and score. Michael Lopez then drove in Ahalt with a double.

"We took advantage of our opportunities early by putting the ball in play," said Merica, happy with the Eagles' 4-0 start. "Clark came through when he had to early, keeping (North) from scoring."

Simmons earned the win with a perfect seventh inning of relief, including two strikeouts.

2004 Season Honors

T.J. Hose
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, First Team
All-Washington County, First Team

Matt Ridenour
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, First Team
All-Washington County, First Team

Trevor Hullinger
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Second Team
All-Washington County, Second Team

Kyle Robinson
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Second Team
All-Washington County, Second Team

Orland Dean
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Honorable Mention
All-Washington County, Honorable Mention

Matt Murray
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Second Team
All-Washington County, Honorable Mention

Brent Toms
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Honorable Mention

Chris Grove
All-MVAL Antietam Conference, Honorable Mention
All-Washington County, Honorable Mention

Brian Barnhart
All-Washington County, Honorable Mention

June 2004

Hose named MVP at Camden Yards

From Herald-Mail:

BALTIMORE - T.J. Hose was named the most valuable pitcher for the North team Sunday in the Brooks Robinson All-Star Game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Hose, a graduate of North Hagerstown High School, pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning, while striking out two batters to earn the award. The South beat the North, 5-1.

Other local players who took part in the game, which was formerly known as the Crown All-Star Game, were Jay Love (Boonsboro), T.J. Bowser (Smithsburg), Ben Jordan (Williamsport), Will Delawter (Catoctin) and Garrett Hanselman (Thomas Johnson).

The coaches for the North team were Mike O'Brien (Walkersville), Mike Frankliin (Catoctin) and Ralph Stottlemyer (South Hagerstown).

June 2004

Hose leads Team Maryland past Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla. - T.J. Hose fired a complete game five-hitter and Mitch Saum belted a two-run home run to lead Team Maryland to a 5-2 victory over Oklahoma in the Sun Belt Classic at University of Oklahoma.

Saum's homer highlighted a four-run second inning for Maryland, which managed just three hits, but took advantage of several Oklahoma walks.

Hose allowed two first-inning runs before settling down to finish with six scoreless innings, walking just one and fanning 12.

Maryland continues play in the tournament today with games against California at 10 a.m., Texas at 3:30 p.m. and Florida at 7.

May 2004

Hubs wrap up Antietam Conference Championship with blowout victory
North Hagerstown crushes Catoctin en route to MVAL title, 11-0

Thurmont, MD---1986. That was the year North Hagerstown last won a conference championship. Head Coach Shawn Reynolds was a part of that '86 Conference and eventual State Championship team as a player and now is looking for a little deja vu.

The Hubs took care of business on Wednesday in Thurmont with a rousing 11-0 victory over a fitting opponent---the defending MVAL Champs---Catoctin.

Kyle Robinson got things started in the second inning with a one-out double. Consecutive wild pitches by Catoctin starter Will Delawter allowed Robinson to score.

Colby Thompson walked and advanced to second base on Delawter's second wild pitch of the inning. After a pop-out to third by Jon Breehl, Brent Toms roped a single up the middle to score Thompson and the Hubs second run.

North pinned five more runs on the board in the third inning. With one on and one out, Matt Ridenour doubled to put runners on second and third. Matt Murray followed with a singled to plate pinch runner Jimmy Conner.

Robinson hit a sac fly to score Ridenour, then Thompson doubled to score pinch runner Chris Bumbaugh. Two more hits by Breehl and Toms drove in two more North runs making the score, 7-0.

Senior shortstop Kyle Robinson hit a one-out solo homerun to start the scoring in the fifth inning. Thompson followed with a single, then after a fly out, Toms picked up his third hit of the day with a two-out single.

With two on and two out---Orland Dean crushed a Danny Duranko pitch over the right field fence---deep into the Catoctin Valley and putting the Hubs ahead 11-0.

T.J. Hose took care of the rest as he kept the Catoctin bats silenced throughout the game, allowing only two Cougars hits in a complete game victory.

The North ace struck out six Cougars en route to picking up his sixth victory of the season---his third shutout---and lowered his ERA to a staggering 0.77.

Toms led the way with a 3-for-3 performance, while Robinson and Thompson were both 2-for-2 in the win. Dean led North with three RBI's, while Robinson and Toms drove in two runs. Thompson scored three runs for the Hubs.

With the victory, North wins the first ever MVAL-Antietam Conference Baseball Championship with a 12-2 league mark, one game ahead of pre-season favorite Williamsport.

The Hubs finish the regular season at (15-5) and will play the Century-Rockville winner on Monday afternoon at 4PM. If Century wins, North will host the Knights. North would travel to Rockville if they upset Century.

---

May 2004
A Shutout for the Century
Hose breaks two MVAL shutout marks in North's 7-0 quarterfinal playoff victory over Century

Hagerstown, MD---T.J. Hose continues to get stronger and stronger as the 2004 season rolls into the playoffs. Hose pitched another masterful game by shutting out the Century Knights 7-0 in the 2A West quarterfinals.

The senior righthander also etched his name atop the MVAL record books by recording his four shutout of the 2004 season and his seventh career shutout---now both his own league records.

The Hubs jumped all over the Knights in the bottom of the first with a five-run inning. Two walks and a Matt Ridenour bloop single loaded the bases with one out. Matt Murray stepped to the plate and slapped a two-run single up the middle to put the Hubs on the board.

Colby Thompson's single added the fourth run by scoring pinch runner Chris Bumbaugh, while a Century error on a Brent Toms hit scored Chris Grove for the Hubs fifth run of the inning.

The Hubs added one run in the third and fifth innings on Toms and Orland Dean's sac-flies to cap the North scoring. Hose did the rest by shuting down one of the MVAL's most potent lineups.

Ridenour, Thompson, and Kyle Robinson finished with two hits, while Murray and Dean drove in two runs for North. Hose pitched a complete game two-hitter, striking out eight, while picking up his record breaking shutout.

North improves to (16-5) overall and will travel to Liberty for the 2A West Semifinals on Wednesday afternoon for a 4PM first pitch. Brian Barnhart (1-0, 3.46) is the the likely Hub starter.


Hose runs off Century with two-hit shutout</font size=+2>

by DAN KAUFFMAN, HERALD-MAIL

Century found out the hard way Monday: Give T.J. Hose a five-run first-inning cushion, and he's awfully tough to beat.

Matt Murray's highlighted North Hagerstown's early offensive explosion with a two-run single before taking his usual spot behind the plate to catch another Hose gem as the Hubs ace twirled a two-hit shutout for a 7-0 victory over Century in the Class 2A West quarterfinals.

"He doesn't need that many (runs)," Murray said. "You get him three runs, you've pretty much got a victory when he's on the mound, especially if his slider's working. ... He was hitting his spots and his slider was vicious."

North (16-5) - champions of the MVAL Antietam Conference - has won 11 straight games and will try for a 12th in the semifinals Wednesday at Liberty.

"We've just played ball like we're capable of and come together as a team," Hubs coach Shawn Reynolds said.

Murray's first-inning single off Century starter Jimmy Mudgett scored Orland Dean and Hose for North's first two runs.

"(Mudgett) was all over the place and we tried to wait him out," Murray said. "I got a hanging curve ball and tried to hit it hard, and I hit it through the hole."

Two Century errors led to two more runs and Colby Thompson's single through the hit-and-run-induced gap at second scored Murray.

That was plenty for Hose, who allowed only a second-inning single and a seventh-inning double while walking four, hitting a batter and striking out eight.

"I was hitting my spots, and once I got ahead, I knew I could throw the slider outside and they'd chase it," Hose said.

"With any pitcher, if you get him runs early, he can relax," Reynolds said. "Not every pitch is crucial when you have a few runs."

In the third, Murray walked, moved up on singles by Kyle Robinson and Thompson and scored on Brent Toms' sacrifice fly for North's sixth run.

In the fifth, Robinson doubled off Century reliever Matt Meadows, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Orland Dean's sacrifice fly to close the scoring.

Hose threw 103 pitches for his seventh career shutout, and according to Reynolds would only come back in a relief role should the Hubs make the regional final, scheduled for Friday.

"I'm not going to risk a kid's arm when he's going to East Carolina," Reynolds said.

May 2004
Abrupt Ending
Liberty routs Hubs 11-1 in 2A West Semifinals

Eldersburg, MD---11 wins in a row. Antietam Conference Champions. A dominating win in the playoff quarterfinals. All that was on the 2004 North Hagerstown Hub baseball team's resumé entering Wednesday afternoon's 2A West Semifinal matchup with the #2-seed Liberty Lions.
All that didn't matter as the Lions smacked the Hubs around for 13 hits in a 11-1 five-inning smackdown.

The day started promising as leadoff hitter Orland Dean smashed a Mike Litz pitch into the right center gap. Liberty centerfielder Shawn Houck fielded the ball and threw to cutoff-man Drew Counselman, who threw a strike to third baseman Robbie Mathias who put the tag on Dean for the out.

Trevor Hullinger followed Dean's smash with a one-out single, but T.J. Hose hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning as the Hubs picked up two hits but came away empty. That was sign of things to come for North.

Liberty started like a firecracker as Drew Counselman led off the Liberty half of the first with a double. Wade Keenan, Matt Anuszewski, and Josh Vittek followed with bloop singles to plate one run. Hub starter Brian Barnhart got double play and a ground out from his defense, but the Lions did manage to score their second run.

Matt Ridenour opened the second inning with a leadoff homerun to put the Hubs on the board, but two quick fly outs and a ground out put a end to a North rally.

Three hits and a walk led to one more Liberty run in the second inning. North was relatively lucky to only allow one run in the inning as the Lions left the base loaded.

Colby Thompson started the North third by reaching on a Liberty error. Lion starter Mike Litz got Brent Toms to strike out and Dean to pop up to give Liberty two outs. Litz then walked Hullinger and Hose to load the bases. Matt Ridenour stepped to the plate with a chance to tie or take the lead for the Hubs. Litz struck out Ridenour, while leaving the bases full and ending another North rally.

Both teams failed to score in the next at bats, but the Lions added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning with two hits and the help of North's two errors.

North Hagerstown, down 5-1, went quietly in the top of the fifth. The Lions were anything but quiet in their half of the fifth inning.

Three staight hits and a walk forced North coach Shawn Reynolds to pull Barnhart and go to his bullpen. Reynolds called on starting catcher Matt Murray, who would enter the game in a very tough situation---trailing 6-1, on the road, in the regional semifinals, with the bases loaded, and nobody out.

Murray walked the first batter he faced to force in the seventh Liberty run, but got leadoff hitter Drew Counselman to hit back to third baseman Chris Grove. The Grove throw beat the Lion runner to the plate, but backup catcher Chris Bumbaugh couldn't hold on to the ball which allowed another Lion run to score.

Wade Keenan hit a sacrifice fly to give Liberty their ninth run, then Murray hit Liberty's Matt Anuszewski with the pitch to reload the bases with one out.

Josh Vittek hit a shallow fly ball to give North the second out of the inning and hold the Lions from scoring another run. Brett Caplan would be the last hitter of the game as he slapped a hit into the outfield grass that scored the tenth and eleventh Liberty runs---ending the game on the ten-run rule, 11-1.

North only managed three hits off Liberty starter Mike Litz---a Dean double, a Hullinger single, and a Ridenour homer. Drew Counselman led Liberty with three hits, three runs, two RBI's, and a stolen base. Wade Keenan, Brett Caplan also added two hits for Liberty.

The Hubs season ends at (16-6) overall, while Liberty (17-3), the MVAL-Chesapeake Conference Co-Champions, advances to the 2A West Finals to meet the South Hagerstown-South Carroll winner on Friday.

April 2004

Better late than never...
Hose comes through in clutch for Hubs first win

Hagerstown, MD---The Hubs had plenty of chances to put runs on the board through the first five innings. North just waited until the last two innings as T.J. Hose had a game winning two-run single with two out in the bottom of the seventh to lift the North Hagerstown Hubs over Linganore, 5-4.

Hose finished 2-for-3, with three RBI's, and two walks. Trevor Hullinger also had two hits and a RBI, whilie scoring the game winning run. Colby Thompson scored two runs for the Hubs and Matt Murray added the other North RBI.

Matt Ridenour pitched a scoreless seventh inning to pick up the victory for the Hubs.

North improves to (1-1) overall and will host undefeated South Carroll (2-0) on Monday at 4PM.

April 2004
Hubs bullpen explodes in late innings, North falls to South Carroll, 12-6

Hagerstown, MD---The undefeated South Carroll Cavaliers scored 11 runs on 10 hits in the final three innings to double-up North Hagerstown, 12-6.

The Hubs built a 3-0 lead in the opening inning with a triple from T.J. Hose, a double from Matt Murray, and singles from Matt Ridenour and Kyle Robinson. Brent Toms reached on an error to force in the third North run of the inning.

North starter Brian Barnhart was pitching a solid game until the fourth when he was forced to leave the game with the bases loaded with an arm injury. The Hubs called on reliever Jimmy Conner to get them out of the jam. Conner got Chris Luette to ground out to end the South Carroll threat.

The offense put two more runs on the board for the Hubs in the bottom of the fourth. Four straight hits from North's top four, highlighted by Matt Murray's two-run double, put the Hubs ahead 5-1.

In the top of the fifth the Cavaliers sent 10 batters to the plate, while scoring six runs. North Head Coach Shawn Reynolds was forced to pull Conner and go deeper into his bullpen. He called on Matt Ridenour, who got the Hubs out of the jam.

The Cavs would touch Ridenour for two more runs in the sixth and three more off Kyle Robinson in the seventh. Matt Murray would single in Trevor Hullinger in the sixth to give North their final run.

Murray would finish 3-for-4, with two doubles, and four RBI's. T.J. Hose and Matt Ridenour also were 3-for-4, with Ridenour adding a RBI. Kyle Robinson finished with two hits for the Hubs. South Carroll was led by leadoff batter Jason Parker's 4-for-5 performance.

The Hubs fall to (1-2) overall and will now have to face one of the best high school pitchers in Amercia in Williamsport's Nick Adenhart. North will throw their ace, East Carolina-bound T.J. Hose (0-1), who had a rough opening game in Frederick. Hose and the Hubs will look to bounce back and turn some heads while trying to pull the upset.

April 2004

ALL-TIME MASTERPIECE
Hose outduels Williamsport's Adenhart, 2-1 in matchup for the ages

Williamsport, MD---The fans turned out. The scouts were there. Who were they there to see? One of the best high school pitchers in the United States---Williamsport's Nick Adenhart. After Wednesday's game, North's T.J. Hose and Matt Ridenour made sure they better get noticed too.

Hose pitched a complete game four-hitter with 13 strikeouts while picking up a huge win. Ridenour reached base safely in all four at-bats with two hits, two walks, while scoring both Hub runs.

Adenhart started strong by mowing down North's top two hitters in the first inning. Matt Murray reached on an error then Ridenour walked to move a runner into scoring position. Chris Grove was called out on strikes to end the first inning threat.

The Hubs next scoring chance came in the third inning. With one out, Hose singled past Williamsport second baseman Will Roney. Matt Murray flew out to center field bringing up Ridenour. The Hubs cleanup batter legged out an infield single to put another North runner into scoring position.

Chris Grove came up and drilled a deep drive into right field. Everyone thought Grove had a two-run extra-base hit off Adenhart. Williamsport rightfielder Aerick Taylor made an outstanding catch to end the inning and thwart the North scoring threat.

In the Cats half of the third, pesky Aerick Taylor hurt the Hubs again by reaching base on a Brent Toms error. Ben Jordan followed by reaching base on another error. Will Roney advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt.

Adenhart came up looking to help his cause with one out and two runners in scoring position. North's T.J. Hose beared down and polished off Adenhart, then rang up Williamsport clean-up hitter Josh Bowers to end the inning.

North's Ridenour walked to the plate in the sixth inning to face Adenhart for the third time. The third time was a charm for Ridenour as he smashed a shot into deep right center that hit right in front of the fence for a double.

After a strikeout, Adenhart got cute and tried to pick Ridenour off second base. The throw sailed into center field, advancing Ridenour to third with one out. Kyle Robinson worked Adenhart for a walk, while also knocking him out of the game.

Williamsport called on senior Ben Jordan to get the Cats out of a jam. Robinson stole second base, then Brent Toms followed with another walk to load the bases.

Colby Thompson hit a Jordan pitch into center field, but Ridenour didn't get back to the base in time to tag. However, an errant throw past catcher David Warrenfeltz allowed Ridenour to score the game's first run. Jordan struck out Trevor Hullinger to end the bleeding for the Cats as they now trailed, 1-0.

The Hub senior ace walked the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the sixth, then Hose sat down the next three batters on swinging strikeouts to end the inning.

North added an insurance run in the seventh inning. With two outs, Ridenour walked, then moved to second on a Jordan wild pitch. Jordan got Grove to hit a ground ball to his shortstop Josh Bowers. The Bowers throw got by first baseman Phillip Jordan to plate Ridenour for North's second run---which would be huge.

Hose struck out Wildcat pitch hitter Corey Broadwater to start the final frame. With one out, Aerick Taylor drove a ball into right field. With limited daylight, Hubs right fielder Trevor Hullinger lost sight of the ball and allowed Taylor to reach second base on the tough error.

Ben Jordan followed with smash to left field for a run-scoring double. At this point, with daylight running out quickly, T.J. Hose knew he had to take the game into his own hands. Hose rang up Will Roney setting up one more showdown with Nick Adenhart.

The All-American badly wanted to ruin Hose's masterful pitching performance. Hose would win the battle and the war by striking out Adenhart to end a classic game for the Hubs.

North evens their record at (2-2) overall, while picking up their first Antietam Conference victory over pre-season top dog Williamsport. The Hubs will come home to face Boonsboro on Friday April 2 with a 4PM first pitch.

Hose fires one for Grandma

by DAN KAUFFMAN, Herald-Mail

April 2004 -- WILLIAMSPORT - Yes, he was pitching against Williamsport star Nick Adenhart. And yes, there were dozens of major league scouts present, but North Hagerstown ace T.J. Hose's motivation stemmed from a much more important source.

"I'd like to dedicate this game to my grandmother," Hose said after orchestrating a masterful, complete game 2-1 victory over Adenhart and the Wildcats on a chilly, overcast Wednesday afternoon. "She passed away Saturday, the funeral was today, and I knew she was there with me the entire game.

"To tell you the truth, it was on my mind every pitch I threw. Before I threw every pitch, I said, 'This one's for you, grandma.'"

"The last couple of days, he's done an incredible job to put that behind him," Hubs coach Shawn Reynolds said. "I've gotten to know his family pretty well, and he has a lot of respect for his grandmother. He would call her after every game. ... The kid's a (heck) of a pitcher."

Drawing strength from his loss, Hose (1-1) dominated Williamsport, allowing five hits, two walks and one earned run - coming on Ben Jordan's RBI double in the seventh inning - while striking out 13, including Will Roney and Adenhart to end the game with Jordan left stranded in scoring position.

While his thoughts weren't always on Adenhart and the zoo of scouts behind the backstop, Hose admitted having the chance to pitch in such an environment only helped.

"I knew there were going to be a lot of scouts here, and I wanted to throw my game and show them I could throw a little," said Hose, who has already signed with East Carolina University. "You've got a kid (pitching against you) who's going to be a potential top five pick this year, and it just pumps you up to come in and show what you've got."

"He was up for the game," Williamsport coach Rod Steiner said. "He had nothing to lose and everything to gain with all these scouts here, and he took advantage of it."

Adenhart (1-1) pitched 5 1/3 innings of three-hit ball with four walks and eight strikeouts, but the Wildcats committed five errors and both of North's runs were unearned.

The Hubs broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning, when Matt Ridenour led off by rocking an Adenhart fastball for a towering double off the base of the fence in right center. After a strikeout, Adenhart's high pickoff throw went into center field and Ridenour moved to third. Adenhart then walked Kyle Robinson, ending his night on the mound after 101 pitches.

Reliever Ben Jordan, who came in from his center field position, walked Brent Toms to load the bases before Colby Thompson hit a line drive to center field, where Adenhart had taken over. Adenhart made the catch for the second out, but his throw home sailed to the backstop, allowing Ridenour to score.

"After I caught it, I double-clutched instead of throwing to the cutoff," Adenhart said. "I saw the runner take a couple steps and I let it fly, and you know the rest."

The Hubs added what turned out to be a needed insurance run in the seventh when Ridenour walked, took second on a wild pitch and scored when Chris Grove's grounder was thrown away by shortstop Josh Bowers.

"It's just a total team breakdown on defense, that's just the point of it," Steiner said. "That's the great thing about baseball, is that sometimes it's the little things that win games."

Frederick batters Hubs, 14-1

March 27, 2009---Josh Jackson had two hits, including a home run, and six RBIs to lead Frederick to an MVAL Piedmont victory over North Hagerstown.

Brady Wilson had three hits and Brian Weddle added two for the Cadets (4-0, 1-0). Jimmy Lanning got the win, striking out eight in five innings.

Jeremy Wood went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Hubs (1-1, 0-1).

Frederick 14, North Hagerstown 1
N. Hagerstown 0 1 0 0 0 --- 1   7  2
Frederick          0 4 6 2 2 ---14 10 2
Worthington, Stotlemyer (4) and Allen. Lanning and Hayes.
WP-Lanning (2-0)
LP-Worthington.

HR: F: Jackson (2nd, two on).

Hubs fall to Clear Spring, 11-2

By BOB PARASILITI, Herald-Mail

CLEAR SPRING---The North Hagerstown baseball team learned the unwritten philosophy when it comes to digging holes.

First, don’t fall in. Second, be sure the other guys don’t have a bigger shovel to fill them up.

The Hubs failed on both counts on Thursday. North’s walks and errors allowed No. 4 Clear Spring enough extra chances to score all 11 of its runs in the first four innings in the Blazers’ 11-2 victory.

The Hubs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning but stood by and watched as Clear Spring scored five in its half of the inning. In fact, North readily participated by committing two errors which led to three of the runs.

“We dug ourselves a big hole,� said North coach Steve Myers.

The Blazers buried the Hubs in that hole with minimal effort. Clear Spring had very few hits — and even fewer clutch hits — but all seemed to count.

“I’d like to think it’s all because of the pressure we apply on teams with our offense,� said Clear Spring coach Mark Shives. “I’d like to see us get more timely hits. I hate to go back there and keep complaining about it when we are winning, but we need to get those hits later on down the line.�

North took a 1-0 lead when Tyler Ernde and Jeremy Barron led off with singles off Clear Spring starter Josh Kehr. Ernde scored on Kehr’s errant pickoff throw on Barron.

Clear Spring (5-0) came back immediately against Chase Worthington. Brandon Glazer and Brad Banzoff led off with walks and Kyle Crist loaded the bases by reaching on a fielding error by first baseman Miles Trumpower.

Jordan Thurber put the Blazers on the board with a two-run single and Joel Rowe followed with a sacrifice fly to center for a 3-1 lead. After Corey Morgan drew a two-out walk, the final two runs scored when Ty Benson dropped Brad Jordan’s fly to center.

Clear Spring added two runs in the second on RBI singles by Crist and Rowe. A pair of North errors helped produce three Blazer runs in the third and ended the day for Worthington. He lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing 10 runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks without a strikeout.

The Blazers added a run in the fourth on Brian Lesher’s sacrifice fly off Aaron Stottlemyer to put Clear Spring up 11-1 and on the brink of ending the game by the mercy rule.

North staved off the elimination with a run in the fifth on Barron’s RBI double. The Hubs survived to play the game out until the end of regulation.

“We’re going to make mistakes, but we have to find a way to bounce back strong,� Myers said. “We have to come back and work harder. I was happy with the way we didn’t quit. We are in a slump right now. It seems like we are down six runs before we get off the bus.�

Glazer had three hits and scored three times for Clear Spring, while Thurber and Rowe drove in two runs each. Kehr pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four. Crist and Thurber each pitched an inning to close out the game for the Blazers.

Barron led North with two hits. Stottlemyer and Justin Breeden came on in relief of Worthington and shut down Clear Spring.

Clear Spring 11, North Hagerstown 2
North 100 010 0 --- 2 6 5
Clear Spring 523 100 x --- 11 7 1
Worthington, Stottlemyer (3), Breeden (5) and Allen; Kehr, Crist (6), Thurber (7) and Morgan.
WP: Kehr.
LP: C.Worthington.

2008 Hub Varsity Baseball Schedule</font size=+3>
at WILLIAMSPORT HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 8-4 (LP-Hoffman 0-1)
at FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 7-4 (LP-Nelling 0-1)
at MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL, WON 9-1 (WP-Hoffman 1-0; HR-Nelling 1)
vs Clear Spring High School, LOST 12-11 (LP-Fisher 0-1)
vs FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL, WON 3-2 (10 innings) (WP-Nelling 1-1)
vs SOUTH HAGERSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, LOST 8-1 (LP-Hoffman 1-2)
vs CATOCTIN HIGH SCHOOL, WON 8-6 (WP-Nelling 2-1; HR-Harden 1)
Mon 04/21/2008 Away BOONSBORO HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM
Tue 04/22/2008 Away WALKERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM
SMITHSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, TIED 7-7 (suspended, completed on 4/23/08)
Wed 04/23/2008 Away SMITHSBURG HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM
Fri 04/25/2008 Home MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM
Mon 04/28/2008 Home WALKERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM
Tue 04/29/2008 Away Clear Spring High School 4:45PM
Wed 04/30/2008 Home WILLIAMSPORT HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM
Mon 05/05/2008 Away SOUTH HAGERSTOWN HIGH SCH 4:45PM
Tue 05/06/2008 Away BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM
Wed 05/07/2008 Home BOONSBORO HIGH SCHOOL 4:45PM

Cadets five-run fourth inning dooms Hubs

3/28/08

FREDERICK, Md. - Brent DeHaven and Brady Wilson had two hits each and David Hornstein struck out six to lead Frederick (5-0, 1-0) over North Hagerstown in an MVAL Piedmont game.

Cody Nelling had two hits and an RBI to lead North (0-2, 0-1), while Nathan Harden, Steve Younker and Tyler Fairley each drove in a run for the Hubs (0-2, 0-1).

---

 

Hammond's big swing catapults Wildcats over Hubs

By CHRIS CARTER, Herald-Mail 3/26/08

WILLIAMSPORT - The Williamsport baseball players tease teammate Patrick Hammond about his .052 batting average from last season.

Perhaps the Wildcats senior is fed up.

Hammond slugged a three-run home run during a six-run fourth inning to fuel Williamsport to a season-opening 8-4 win Wednesday against North Hagerstown.

Hammond hit his first varsity homer while facing a 1-2 count.

"It was a fastball down the middle. I was expecting curveball and I just reacted," Hammond said. "I saw an opportunity and I took it."

The Wildcats (1-0) got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning, with a bit of help from the Hubs.

A.J. Jamison drew a leadoff walk and scored on a hit-and-run double by Aaron Hershberger to tie the game at 1. North committed three consecutive errors to give Williamsport a 2-1 edge, setting up Hammond's blast over the center-field fence to make it 5-1.

"That was the big hit," said Williamsport coach Larnie Vickers. "The scoreboard at the end showed a four-run difference. If not for that hit, it would be a completely different situation."

The Hubs (0-1) committed all four of their errors in the inning, leading to the exit of starting pitcher Kyle Hoffman, who was saddled with three unearned runs.

"You can't give extra outs. We gave them five or six in that inning," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "Hoffman threw the ball well. He should have been out of the inning long before that. He only made one bad pitch and that was the home run."

Hoffman pitched three shutout innings with four strikeouts before running into trouble in the fourth. He left the game after Williamsport scored their sixth run of the inning - a bobbled ground ball to shortstop. The Wildcats sent 11 batters to the plate in the frame.

Williamsport tacked on insurance runs in the fifth and six innings. Michael Warrenfeltz, Aaron Hershberger and starting pitcher Andrew Duff each had two hits for the Wildcats.

"We manufactured their mistakes and took advantage," Vickers said. "We put the ball in play and forced them to get a glove on it."

Duff shook off an inconsistent start before settling in with the lead on the mound. After three hits, two walks and a hit batsman in the first two innings, Duff responded by retiring nine of the last 10 Hubs he faced.

"When he kept the ball low, it was either ground balls or strikeouts," said Vickers, who pulled Duff after 80 pitches. "We felt comfortable with what we saw from him."

North took a 1-0 when Tyler Fairley walked and scored on a Williamsport throwing error. The Hubs trailed 8-2 before loading the bases in the top of the seventh. Nathan Harden and Tyler Ernde each scored to cut it to 8-4 before Williamsport reliever Andrew Likely induced the game-ending groundout.

North vs. Smithsburg - Slipping, sliding, tying

By TIM KOELBLE, Herald-Mail - 4/1/08

Smithsburg's Kyle Orndorff, right, slides safely into second base while North Hagerstown's Tyler Fairley dances out of the way. (By Joe Crocetta/Staff Photographer/)

Smithsburg's Josh Conway delivers a pitch through the rain Monday afternoon at North Hagerstown. (By Joe Crocetta/Staff Photographer/)
An express trip around the bases on one unconventional play was enough for North Hagerstown to rally for a 7-7 tie with Smithsburg on Monday in a game that was halted by darkness.

After Smithsburg pushed across two runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 7-6 lead, North faced defeat with two out and the bases empty when Steve Younker stepped to the plate.

Younker rattled a line drive to the right of diving Smithsburg center fielder Kyle Orndorff off a 2-2 pitch from relief pitcher Kevin Kocsis. It fell safely, rolling past Orndorff to the fence. Younker had rounded second as the throw reached relay man, shortstop Josh Conway.

Conway airmailed his throw high over third and the North dugout from short left center, allowing Younker to score the tying run.

"It was a crazy game after the fourth inning," Smithsburg coach Bill Fowkes said. "I think each team took advantage of the conditions with the wet baseballs. Under normal conditions, I think you see (Conway) throw that runner out at third."

The run forced the game to be suspended in a deadlock. The final decision won't be rendered until the teams meet again at Smithsburg on April 23, beginning with the eighth inning.

Smithsburg took the lead in the seventh when Bobby Smith bounced a two-hopper to a hard-charging North shortstop Cody Nelling, who made a fine pickup but threw wide to first allowing two runs to score.

North, which trailed to the Leopards 5-1, knotted the score in the fifth with two hits and two key Smithsburg errors, one on the back end of a potential double play that allowed two runs.

"Both teams gave one another extra outs and each team took advantage," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "I was happy how we came back down 5-1."

Three textbook innings opened the game as North led 1-0 with a first-inning run off Conway. The Leopards got to Hubs starter Greg Lynn for four runs in the fourth with no out, a rally fueled by two walks to start the inning.

"(Lynn) cruised along but the walks hurt and he got a little rattled," Reynolds said of his sophomore hurler who was making his first varsity start.

Conway went the first 4 1/3 innings for Smithsburg with eight strikeout before leaving in the fifth inning in favor of Kocsis.

Younker had three of North's eight hits and Conway reached base four times with a single and three walks.
________________________________________________________________________

Hubs boot one away to Clear Spring

by Larry Yanos, Herald-Mail - 4/3/08

In a game that featured more twists and turns than a mystery novel, visiting Clear Spring outlasted North Hagerstown, 12-11, Thursday in a baseball game called after six innings because of inclement weather and darkness.

The Washington County opponents made numerous mistakes in less than ideal playing conditions but neither squad would settle for defeat.

After Clear Spring (4-1) seemingly put the game away with a six-run flurry in the top of the sixth inning, North Hagerstown (1-3) retaliated with two tallies in the bottom half and had the bases loaded and two outs when the game finally ended.

"Both teams showed a lot of character ... no quitting," Clear Spring coach Mark Shives said. "But it was a total mess out there, many throwing errors were caused by the wet conditions. Also, walks hurt both teams."

Trailing 9-6 entering the sixth inning, Clear Spring went to work and put six runs on the scoreboard.

Kyle Crist started the comeback with a double, before Aaron Mills, Jordan Thurber and Brandon Glazer all walked to force in the first run.

Pinch hitter Brett Turner then delivered a clutch two-run single and the Blazers were on their way to victory - their second triumph in two days.

North Hagerstown coach Shawn Reynolds said he appreciated the efforts put forth by the Hubs but said the final result was the same old story - too many mistakes.

"That's the way it's been going the entire season," Reynolds said. "We've been scoring but we're giving too many runs away with defensive mistakes. You can't give a team 4-5 outs an inning and be successful.

The walks on top of the defensive mistakes makes it worse. We still had a chance (to win) with our number three hitter (Cody Nelling) up there when the game ended."

Clear Spring jumped to a 5-0 advantage in the top of the third inning, North High retaliated with four of its own in the bottom half and the teams then exchanged leads the rest of the way.

"It's one of the sloppiest games I've seen in a long time," Reynolds said.

Corey Morgan led the Clear Spring offensive attack with three hits and two runs batted in while Kyle Crist added two hits and Turner delivered the clutch single in the sixth inning.

Nelling, Nathan Harden and Steve Younker all collected two hits for North Hagerstown and Harden added three runs batted in.
__________________________________________________________________________

Hubs go extra innings to defeat Frederick, 3-2

April 9, 2008---Brendan Palmer singled and later scored on a Frederick error in the 10th inning to give North Hagerstown a 10-inning, 3-2 victory over Frederick (7-2, 2-2) in the MVAL Piedmont on Wednesday.

Palmer and Tyler Ernde hit singles in the 10th, and with two outs, Cody Nelling reached base on the error that scored Palmer for the win.

Bryan Laferte had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in a run for North (2-3, 2-1). Miles Trumpower had an RBI double. Nelling pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings in relief, striking out eight.

__________________________________________________________________________

Nelling, Hoffman lead Hubs to 9-1 victory over Middletown
4/10/08

MIDDLETOWN, MD---Cody Nelling capped a five-run second inning with a three-run homer to lead North Hagerstown past Middletown in the MVAL Piedmont.

Kyle Hoffman picked up the victory for North (1-2, 1-1), going 5 2-3 innings with 10 strikeouts.

Brendan Palmer led the Hubs with three hits, Colby Fisher had two hits and Jimmy Hill and John Courtney drove in two runs each.

---

 

Rebels defeat Hubs 8-1 in Diamond Classic

April 14, 2008---Brandon Knight didn't seem the least bit concerned that he gave up his first earned run of the season.

And why should he?

The South Hagerstown southpaw turned in a masterful, four-hit, 13-strikeout performance in the Rebels' 8-1 victory over cross-town rival North Hagerstown in the fifth annual Diamond Classic at Municipal Stadium on Monday night, keeping No. 3 South undefeated in seven games this season, including three in the MVAL Piedmont.

"He threw a couple pitches that he'd like to have back," said Rebels coach Ralph Stottlemyer, "but other than that, everything was working well for him, and he got sharper as the night went on."

South recorded a pair of unearned runs off Hubs starter Kyle Hoffman in the first inning on a Colby Fisher throwing error, a Tim Leather RBI single and Tim Jacobson's RBI double.

But Hoffman shut down the potent Rebels offense for the next four innings, while Bryan Laferte's single scored Jeremy Barron in the third to close the gap to 2-1.

"He pitched a heck of a game," said North coach Shawn Reynolds. "He kept his poise, and he kept us in the ballgame even with the errors."

South added a pair of insurance runs off the Hubs' starter in the sixth when Adrian Adams opened with a single to left and moved to second when Laferte misplayed the ball for North. Jacobson followed with a bunt single, moving Adams to third, before Knight walked to load the bases. Steve Grossman then laced a two-run single before Hoffman wriggled out of further trouble.

"I came into the dugout and told the guys to get me some runs, and it'd be done," said Knight.

Indeed, it was done for the Hubs (2-4, 2-2), but not the Rebels. Knight and Todd Jacobson drove in two runs apiece in the four-run seventh inning off North reliever Cody Nelling to put the game away.

The 13-strikeout effort gives Knight 30 strikeouts in just 16 2/3 innings. He has walked only two.
__________________________________________________________________________

Hubs defeat Catoctin, 8-6

April 18, 2008---North Hagerstown jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning over Catoctin and then hung on for the victory, 8-6.

Nathan Harden blasted a two-run homer in the four-run first and finished with two hits for the Hubs. Colby Fisher and Miles Trumpower also had two hits, and Tyler Ernde drove in two runs in the victory.

Cody Nelling picked up the victory and Steve Younker earned the save in relief. Catoctin loaded the bases with two outs in the top of seventh, but Younker got Danny Miller to ground out to end the game.

Justin Albright, Kyle Sanders, and Landon Routzahn had two hits each for Catoctin.

North Hagerstown improves to (3-4 overall, 2-2) and Catoctin falls to (4-5 overall, 3-0).

Middletown blanks Hubs, 4-0

by LARRY YANOS, Herald-Mail - 4/29/08

The Middletown baseball team scored four unearned runs in the first inning Friday, which proved to be more than enough to defeat host North Hagerstown 4-0 in an MVAL Piedmont game.

Middletown received a strong effort from starting pitcher Nathan D'Alessio, who blanked North on five hits before tiring in the seventh inning.

Andrew Pierce came out in relief after North's John Courtney drew a leadoff walk in the seventh and easily closed out the game.

The Hubs' Greg Lynn and Jeremy Barron also pitched well but costly mistakes in the first inning led to all of the Knights' offense

"Early mistakes. ... No emotion," North Hagerstown coach Shawn Reynolds said. "I thought our pitching was terrific. Lynn is only a sophomore. He did a heck of a job for five innings."

The effort was wasted, however, by three North miscues.

With one out in the first, Middletown went to work against the right-hander Lynn.

Ryan Fisher's single, a successful suicide squeeze bunt by Steve Shriner, a walk to Koby Cavanaugh and Matthew McDonough's double blended with three North errors to produce four quick runs.

The poor start, coupled with a weak offensive performance, proved the downfall for the Hubs.

"We're just not hitting the ball," Reynolds said.

Middletown, which lost to North 9-1 earlier in the season, looked good on Friday.

"D'Alessio was solid, he hadn't pitched that deep into a game before and that's why I took him out in the seventh," Middletown coach Andy Baker said. "As far as offensively, Cavanaugh has been hitting the ball well recently and he had two more hits today."

Middletown outhit North, 7-5, and played errorless ball.

Hubs break losing streak, notch playoff victory over Middletown, 8-1

By Conner Gilbert (Herald-Mail Staff Correspondent) 

May 13, 2008---North Hagerstown used the classic baseball fundamentals of solid pitching, good defense and timely hitting to its advantage on Tuesday, defeating Middletown 8-1 in a Maryland Class 2A West first-round game at North.

Cody Nelling got the start for the Hubs and pitched a complete game, surrendering only four hits, two walks and one run while striking out 10.

"He hadn't pitched in about two weeks, and I thought he might be rusty, but he threw the ball well," said Hubs coach Shawn Reynolds. "He really held Middletown in check."

Meanwhile, the Hubs picked up a clutch hit in the third inning to break the game open. With the bases loaded, left fielder Jake Steich laced a pitch into right-center field to clear the bases and put North up 3-0.

Steich scored later in the inning on a Colby Fisher groundout to put North up 4-0.

"I'm happy with myself and I'm really looking forward to the next game to keep it going," said Steich. "My confidence level is really high right now."

The Hubs picked up another run in the fourth when Tyler Fairley doubled, then scored on an infield error for a 5-0 lead.

Steich struck again in the sixth, knocking in a pair of runs with a single to center. After advancing to second on the throw home, he stole third and scored on an error to put the Hubs up 8-0.

"I come out every game and just try to put the ball in play to make things happen," said Steich. "But the kids ahead of me have to get on base, so it's not just me."

"Jake had two big hits today with runners in scoring position, and that really gives the pitcher breathing room," said Reynolds.

While the Hubs' victory was an example of all facets of the team working in unison, Reynolds knows that his team must stay focused and consistently play to its abilities.

"We had good pitching, played well in the field today and got timely hitting," said Reynolds. "When we play like this, we can play with anybody."

North travels to Clarksburg today for a 2A West quarterfinal at 5 p.m.


________________________________________________________________________

Hubs upset #2 Clarksburg, 12-11
North advances to 2A West Regional Semis

May 14, 2008

CLARKSBURG, Md. - North Hagerstown overcame a 7-0 deficit and scored eight runs in the final two innings to upset No. 2 seed Clarksburg in the Maryland 2A West quarterfinals.

Jake Steich led the Hubs offensively and finished the Coyotes off on the mound. Steich had two hits and drove in three runs, and he pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing only one earned run to pick up the victory.

Colby Fisher, Bryan Laferte, Steve Younker and Tyler Ernde had two hits each for the Hubs (6-14), while Fisher, Nathan Harden and Tyler Fairley each drove in two runs. Fisher added a home run in the victory.

The Hubs will travel to Liberty (13-6) for a semfinal game today, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

__________________________________________________________________________

Liberty eliminates Hubs, 12-2
5/17/08

ELDERSBURG----Liberty's Big Blue Machine� was running on all cylinders as the Lions overpowered North Hagerstown 12-2 on Thursday to advance to the Class 2A West baseball championship game.

The Lions (14-6) were led by the pitching and power-hitting of senior Garrett Price, who not only threw a two-hitter while allowing no earned runs, but also found the energy to slam a three-run homer in the bottom of the first. He also had a sacrifice fly to drive in another run.

Price’s towering blast over the left field fence put the Lions up 3-1, forging a lead they never relinquished. The Lions went on to build a 10-run lead that ended the game in the bottom of the sixth.

“Garrett gets a lot of wear and tear being both a catcher and a pitcher,� Lions coach Erik Barnes said. “But he’s a real tough kid and he’s been our catalyst all year.�

Price, who threw 95 pitches, combined his fastball and changeup to keep the Hubs off balance throughout the game.

“I was locating my fastball real good and the changeup had them hitting the ball into the ground,� Price said.

That was good news for the Lions because their infield, led by shortstop Nick Barr was nearly flawless in gobbling up everything hit their way. The Lions infield also turned two nifty double plays that kept the Hubs from gathering any momentum.

“Defense is something we’ve been working to perfect all season,� said Barr. “Now it’s all coming together for us.�

That’s for sure. With their defense and timely hitting the Lions, with this victory, have now beaten their playoff opponents by a combined 26-3.

“We’ve worked on situational hitting and using the whole field,� Barnes said. “I can’t say enough about the middle of our order. Guys like Rob Gicking, Doug Anuszewski and Nick Hallis, have been clutch all year and now they’re doing it when we need it most.�

Hallis, who went 3-for-4 against the Hubs, registered two RBIs with a run-scoring triple and a solo homer that put the Lions up 11-2. That set the stage for a double by Barr that scored Gicking, who had walked, with the game-ending 12th run.

The Lions now await the winner of today’s Century-South Hagerstown match-up with the victor going to the state final four.

“We’re playing good, smart baseball right now,� Barnes said. “We just have to keep it going.�

North Hagerstown 100 010—2 2 2
Liberty 340 122—12 12 2

Garrett Price and Matt Wolf; Steve Younker, Greg Lynn (4) and Thomas Allen. 2B: L-Larson Kimble, Kyle Rivera, Doug Anuszewski, Nick Barr. 3B: L-Nick Hallis. HR: L-Price, Hallis. WP: Price. LP: Younker

Frederick, Middletown defeat Hubs

Miles Trumpower's RBI double tied the game at 5 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh for North Hagerstown, but the Hubs gave up three runs to Middletown in the top of the ninth in an MVAL Piedmont loss to the Knights (4-1, 3-0).

Jeremy Barron had two hits and Tyler Ernde added two RBIs for the Hubs (1-5, 0-3).

On Tuesday, North managed just a lone hit by Jeremy Wood in a 5-2 loss to Frederick.

Middletown 8, North Hagerstown 5
Middletown 003 200 003 --- 8 9 1
North 040 000 100 --- 5 7 3
Carpenter, Stottlemyer (5), Breeden (6), Barron (8) and Allen. Maye, McConnoughey (5) and Watkins.
WP: McConnoughey.
LP: Jeremy Barron (0-1).

Frederick 5, North Hagerstown 2
North 001 100 0 --- 2 1 2
Frederick 000 230 x ---- 5 9 1
Lynn and Allen. Weddle, Hornstein (4) and Hayes.
WP: Hornstein.
LP: Greg Lynn (1-1).

 

Hubs fall short against Rebs, 6-5

By TIM KOELBLE, Herald-Mail 4/15/09

South Hagerstown's first double play of the season could not have come at a better time.

With a precarious 6-5 lead, drizzle falling, darkness looming and North Hagerstown threatening with runners at first and second with one out in the seventh inning, the Rebels turned a crisp 6-4-3 twin kill to end the MVAL Piedmont rivalry baseball game.

“It was the first (double play) of the year,� said a smiling Tyler Presgraves, who started the double play on a hard grounder by North’s Jeremy Barron.

Presgraves flipped perfectly to second baseman Tim Hoover, and the win was preserved when first baseman Joey Miller stretched out, his foot barely attached to the bag, to take Hoover’s wide throw.

“That ball was hit hard to short, but we pulled it out,� said South coach Ralph Stottlemyer.

Cory Shank entered in the seventh and got the save. He preserved the win for reliever Jordan Miller, who retired all five batters he faced after replacing starter Dwight Boward in the fifth with one out after North tied the game at 5-all.

South (3-5, 2-2) broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth against North reliever Aaron Stoner.

Pinch-hitter Garrick Bower led off with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Nick Stubbs. After Timmy Hoover flied to center, Presgraves delivered a single that was wide of third baseman Jeremy Wood to score Stubbs.

“It was cold, slippery, hard for the pitchers to hold the baseball and a typical North-South game,� said Stottlemyer. “We’re happy to get the win.�

North (1-6, 0-4) contributed to the Rebels’ cause defensively, committing three errors that helped South to five unearned runs for a 5-2 lead through four innings.

In the fifth, North’s Brian Laferte ripped a two-run double and scored on Barron’s double off Boward, who was erratic at times, to forge a 5-5 tie.

The Hubs took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on back-to-back RBI singles by Laferte and Barron.

South answered in the bottom of the third with two runs as Hoover brought in Stubbs on a groundout, Presgraves doubled and Adrian Adams singled.

"That (double play) was a tough way to end, said Hubs first-year coach Steve Myers. "We did a nice job coming back. Our defense has been spotty, and one or two errors ends up kicking us in the butt".

Presgraves continued to emerge from an early slump, collecting two of South’s six hits. North’s six hits were divided equally in pairs among three players — Laferte, Barron and Ty Benson.

South 6, North 5
North 002 030 0 --- 5 6 3
South 012 201 x --- 6 6 0
Lynn, Stoner (4) and Allen. D. Boward, Jor. Miller (5), Shank (7) and Haupt.
WP: Jordan Miller.
LP: Aaron Stoner
SV: Cory Shank.

Stoner HR ends Hubs six-game slide

April 17, 2009---Aaron Stoner hit a game-winning solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning Thursday as North Hagerstown picked up its first MVAL Piedmont win of the season, defeating Walkersville 4-3.

Stoner also got the win in relief with two scoreless innings of work. Miles Trumpower had three hits and Stoner had two hits and two RBIs for the Hubs (2-6, 1-4), who snapped a six-game losing streak.

Joey Zuniga had three hits for Walkersville (4-5, 1-3).

North 4, Walkersville 3
Walkersville 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 --- 3  7  1
North Hag   1 1 1 0 0 1 x --- 4  6  0
Dayhoff, Maymon (5) and Shelton. Carpenter, Stottlemyer (4), Stoner (6) and Allen.
WP: Aaron Stoner (1-1)
LP: Maymon

HR: Aaron Stoner (6th, none on).

Laferte lifts Hubs to win in 11th

By BOB PARASILITI, HERALD-MAIL 5/9/09

May 8, 2009---Despite nearly a solid week of rain, Brian Laferte seemed to have the only moisture on North Hagerstown’s baseball field.

"My palms were starting to sweat, but I kept my cool", Laferte said.

That's because the outcome of Friday’s first-round Maryland Class 2A West playoff game against Francis Scott Key was in his hands. Laferte responded by ripping a bases-loaded single with two outs in the 11th inning to lift the Hubs to a 3-2 victory.

An odd chain of events put North’s center fielder in the position. He was the sixth batter to hit in the inning and figured he would never get a chance to end it.

Instead Jeremy Wood drew a walk off FSK reliever Casey Klein to lead off the inning and took second on Aaron Stoner’s one-out single. After a passed ball advanced the runners, Jeremy Barron was intentionally walked to load the bases.

The Hubs (5-10-1) turned to Tyler Ernde to end the game, but he missed contact on a suicide squeeze try that turned Wood into a dead duck at the plate. FSK then elected to intentionally walk Ernde to reload the bases.

Enter Laferte.

“I didn’t think it would get down to me,� Laferte said. “I had to pinch myself. But my first three at-bats were really crappy. I knew this was my chance to get a hit for the team. This is a good spark for the team.�

Stoner crossed the plate with his arms raised in celebration as the Hubs won the right to play top-seeded Century on Monday.

“I can’t live through too many more like that,� said North coach Steve Myers. “Brian is a senior and after his first three at-bats, it showed that he had enough composure to get that hit.�

Stoner won the game with four innings of strong relief to preserve a stellar starting performance by Greg Lynn. The game became an unlikely pitchers’ duel pitting Lynn’s finesse against FSK’s hard-throwing Collin Mills.

Lynn allowed one run on seven hits while striking out eight in seven innings. He was matched by Mills, who went eight innings, allowing an unearned run on three hits and four walks while striking out nine.

“(Lynn) is not a strikeout pitcher, but he mixed his pitches well and hit his spots,� Myers said. “If he does that, he’s tough. Stoner is very composed for a sophomore. He’s become our go-to guy.�

North took a 1-0 lead in the first as Barron led off with an infield single and Ernde reached when center fielder Nick Omelia dropped his fly ball. Laferte popped a bunt to Mills on the mound, but he threw away his attempt to double off Ernde at first, allowing Barron to score.

FSK tied the score in the sixth as Tyler Linkins doubled and scored on Bobby Wynkoop’s single.

The two teams traded runs in the 10th as Omelia scored when Mills was caught in a rundown at second to give FSK the lead. North kept the game alive on Thomas Allen’s RBI single that put the Hubs in position to pull out the win.

North Hagerstown 3, Francis Scott Key 2
Francis Scott Key 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 --- 2  10  4
N. Hagerstown    1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 --- 3   7   1
Mills, Klein (9) and Woodrow; Lynn, Stoner (8) and Allen.
WP: Aaron Stoner
LP: Klein.

---

 

Hubs shock #1 Century, 4-3
Carpenter, Stoner lead North into 2A West Semis

SYKESVILLE, Md.; May 11, 2009---North Hagerstown pulled off the first upset in the Maryland 2A West Region playoffs on Monday with a 4-3 victory over No. 1-seed Century.

The Hubs (6-10-1) had only two hits, both by Aaron Stoner, including his double in the seventh inning and his subsequent run in what proved to be the winning margin.

Century (9-6) scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh before Jeremy Barron came on in relief and squelched the Knights rally.

Stoner also had a third-inning home run.

The Hubs will play at Middletown on Wednesday in the region semifinals.

North Hagerstown 4, Century 3
North Hag 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 --- 4   2   2
Century     0 0 0 0 0 0 3 ----3   3   3
Carpenter, Worthington (7), Barron (7) and Allen. Bordner and Maguire.
WP: Corey Carpenter
LP: Bordner
SV: Jeremy Barron

HR: N-Aaron Stoner (3rd, none on).

Lynn pitches Hubs into 2A West Title Game
North advances to regional final with 4-0 win over Middletown

By CHRISTIAN WORSTELL, Herald-Mail

MIDDLETOWN, Md.; May 13, 2009---It's amazing what a sudden jolt of confidence can do for a baseball team.

Still giddy after Friday's 11-inning win over Francis Scott Key and Monday's upset of Century, North Hagerstown rode the coattails of pitcher Greg Lynn to a 4-0 victory over Middletown in Wednesday’s Maryland Class 2A West semifinals.

North will travel to face the winner of the Liberty-Walkersville semifinal in the region final on Friday. The game was suspended with the score tied at 7-all in extra innings and will resume today.

Lynn tossed six scoreless innings and struck out eight as the Hubs won despite collecting five hits and striking out 13 times.

"Monday's win did more for us than we probably know,� North coach Steve Myers said. “We’ll go as far as our pitching and defense will carry us.�

The Hubs defense played an error-free game and Lynn was nearly flawless. The Knights loaded the bases with only one out in the first, but Lynn escaped the threat when Miles Trumpower laid out to scoop a double-play throw at first base to end the inning.

From there, Lynn retired 15 of the final 16 batters he faced, including 11 in a row. After collecting a pair of singles and a walk in the first, Middletown did not reach base again until the fifth inning.

“That kid threw a great game,� Knights coach Andy Baker said. “He was sharp. He had good location and was close to the plate. After that first inning, we never threatened again.�

"He's been the one consistent part of our pitching staff all year,� Myers said. “The only reason I took him out was because of (his inning) limitation."

Aaron Stoner pitched a hitless seventh and the Hubs reached the finals for the first time since 2006.

"We were so confident after the Century win. We knew we had to come in here and do our job,� Lynn said. “(Monday) was a huge confidence boost for us.�

North collected RBI doubles from Jeremy Barron in the fourth and Brian Laferte in the seventh innings to score its final two runs. A catcher’s interference call with the bases loaded gave the Hubs a 1-0 lead in the first inning. North made it 2-0 when the Knights dropped a fly ball in the outfield with two outs in the third, allowing Allen Thomas to score.

Middletown (8-10) had defeated North (7-10-1) in both regular-season meetings.

Knights starting pitcher Collin May lasted just 1 2/3 innings after plunking Hubs leadoff hitter Ty Benson on the elbow on the first pitch of the game and issued four walks.

Evan Moser came on in relief for the Knights and recorded 10 strikeouts in just 4 1/3 innings.

"We knew right away (May) was in trouble,� Baker said. “When he hit the guy on the first pitch of the game, that was a pretty good indicator of how things were going to go.

"I told my guys at the beginning of the season that the 2A West is wide open."


North Hagerstown 4, Middletown 0
North Hag   1 0 1 1 0 0 1 --- 4  5  0
Middletown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 0  3  1
Lynn, Stoner (7) and Thomas. May, Moser (2) and Watkins.
WP: Greg Lynn
LP: May

Like Irish, former Hub, Hose tries to score points in South Bend

By BOB PARASILITI 5/16/09

SOUTH BEND, IN----It might seem like T.J. Hose is in the wrong place at the right time.

Living and playing in South Bend, Ind. — in the shadow of Notre Dame — Hose’s pitching efforts could get lost in an area steeped in football tradition.

But the North Hagerstown graduate is no different than the Fighting Irish. Every time he takes the field, he wants to score a touchdown. Figuratively speaking, of course.

Hose is a pitcher with many roles for the South Bend Silver Hawks, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Single-A affiliate in the Midwest League. That’s OK, though, because each time out is a way to score points.

“I had a chance to be a starter, but it fell through,� said Hose of his first year with a professional full-season team. “That’s not a problem. It just gives me a chance to go out and compete more often.�

Pitching and competing are the two most important things to Hose, who attended East Carolina before being selected by Arizona in the 36th round of the 2008 amateur draft.

“Nothing is set in stone,� he said, “as long as I get the ball and keep going.�

So far, that has been in a multitude of situations in his first nine appearances for the Silver Hawks. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound right-hander has been a setup man and a closer while South Bend manager Mark Haley and pitching coach Erik Sabel auditions each pitcher for roles. Hose is 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA, three walks, 13 strikeouts and three saves in 14 2/3 innings of work.

“Right now, they told me that I’m the seventh- and eighth-inning guy,� Hose said. “They like to put me in the tough situations with like a one- or two-run lead because they know I will go in and throw strikes.�

That’s to Hose’s liking because it allows him to pitch and compete every time he takes the field.

“I’m building a mentality that gets me so hyped up for those situations,� he said. “You don’t want to get too amped though because you don’t want to go out there and overthrow. You want to go out and get the job done. As a starter, you go out there and you work six or seven innings and try to put the team in a situation to win before handing it over to the relievers.�

Hose, 23, played the starter side of the game last season in Yakima (Wash.) in the Single-A half-season Northwest League. He went 4-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 15 starts. He pitched 78 1/3 innings, walking 20 and striking out 57.

Starting jobs were limited when he headed to South Bend, since the Silver Hawks are a combination of two rookie teams. The Silver Hawks decided to put Hose in the bullpen to take advantage of the experience he gained from pitching in college.

“There are a lot of guys who are Dominican or are 18-19 years old that are out there learning,� Hose said. “Experience-wise, what helped me was pitching four years in college against some good competition. It has helped me see how to pitch. We have six or seven guys who can start and things have been changing so far, so who knows.�

The Diamondbacks organization made sure Hose knew that his pitching situation was neither permanent nor his fault.

“They thought I was mad,� Hose said. “They told me that they never thought a 36th-round guy would become a prospect. They wanted me to go out and keep it going. I told them that I wasn’t down. This will just give me another opportunity to show what I can do.�

For Hose, every one of those opportunities allows him to defy the odds while getting closer to his goal.

“I want to go out each time like it is going to be my last time out there,� Hose said. “I know I wasn’t a high pick. I’m not a senior out of high school. I’m not 6-2 or 6-3. I have to go out there and give it my all.

“If I can keep doing that and then maybe some day I’ll get the chance to get my dream and I’ll be pitching in the major leagues.�

Hubs magical playoff run comes to an end
Walkersville claims region title with 6-5 tenth inning victory over North

May 15, 2009  /  By CHRISTIAN WORSTELL, Herald-Mail

WALKERSVILLE, MD----The only thing stranger than North Hagerstown's run in the regional tournament was the way it ended on Friday.

The Hubs failed to hold a seventh-inning lead and walked home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to allow Walkersville to claim a 6-5 victory and the Maryland Class 2A West region title.

The loss put an end to the Hubs' improbable postseason run. North entered the postseason at 4-10-1. The regular season included a pair of wins over Walkersville before the run of three straight regional wins to come within three outs of claiming the title.

"I don't even know what to say. We were upset about the regular season when it seemed like things just wouldn't go our way, said North first baseman Miles Trumpower, who belted a first-inning grand slam and drove in all five Hubs runs.

"We just put our heads down and went to work."

“It was just perseverance and not giving up. We felt like we were close all year,� North coach Steve Myers said.

The Lions (12-8) scratched out a run in the bottom of the sixth to trim the Hubs’ lead to 5-3. With runners on second and third and one out, pinch-hitter Ricky Pardo’s slapped a two-run single up the middle to tie the game.

The Lions, who left runners in scoring position in the seventh and eighth, led off the 10th with No. 9 hitter Allan Essler singling to left off pitcher Greg Lynn. Collin Mummert followed with a single to center and Eric Walker was hit by a pitch -- the sixth hit batsmen of the game — to load the bases.

Conner Spessard relieved Lynn as the Hubs’ fifth pitcher of the game and walked Joey Zuniga on four pitches to force in the winning run.

“I thought we were in a good spot with three outs left,� Myers said. “We just didn’t get it done.�

Trumpower came up with the bases loaded in the first and sent the first pitch he saw over the 350-foot sign in left-center field for the first and only home run of his high school career.

“Coach told me to be patient and wait until I see a couple of strikes before I go at it,� said the senior. “But I liked the first-pitch fastball.�

After the Lions burned through two pitchers in the first inning, Zuniga took over in the second and was unhittable. The southpaw struck out 15 of the 23 batters he faced with a devastating curveball before being lifted in the ninth for eventual winner Greg Dayhoff.

“It shows the kind of character these guys have,� Walkersville coach Jeremy Long said. “We don’t ever quit. We were 0-2 against them (in the regular season). The third time’s a charm.�

Walkersville 6, North Hagerstown 5
North Hag   4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 5  4  2
Walkersville 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 --- 6  6  1
Carpenter, Stoner (6), Barron (7), Lynn (8), Spessard (10) and Allen. Pelletier, Mummert (1), Zuniga (2), Dayhoff (9) and Walker.
WP: Walker
LP: Greg Lynn

HR: NH--Trumpower (1st, three on).

Former Hub T.J. Hose named D'backs pitcher of the year

November 27, 2009 / Courtesy of the Herald-Mail

T.J. Hose was selected as the Arizona Diamondbacks' organizational pitcher of the year on Friday by MLB.com.

The announcement was made Friday morning on the Minor League Baseball Web site (www.milb.com).

Hose, a North Hagerstown graduate, went from being a 36th-round selection in the 2008 amateur draft to round himself into a prospect for the Diamondbacks.

Hose, who was a starter at East Carolina, became a reliever this season when there wasn't enough room in the starting rotation at Single-A South Bend in the Midwest League. He became the Silver Hawks' setup man and closer and a league all-star. He was promoted to Visalia in the Single-A California League in the second half of the season.

Hose had a combined 12 saves and 2.11 ERA in 59 2/3 innings, while striking out 70 and walking just 17. He stuck out 27 and walked just five in 22 2/3 innings at Visalia.

Bullpen role gives Hose path to major leagues

By BOB PARASILITI

December 25, 2009

Terry Hose lists his priorities alphabetically.

Maybe it wasn't a conscious decision, but more a matter of placing passion ahead of pride.

The Arizona Diamondbacks organization decided it wanted Hose to work out of the bullpen instead of as a starting pitcher. After some quick consideration, he decided to put pitching before any pouting.

He’s glad he did.

“If I didn’t go to the bullpen, I wouldn’t be where I am today,� Hose said.

Hose, known as T.J. in his days at North Hagerstown High School, is in the Diamondbacks’ sights as a possible major league pitcher after being selected their organizational pitcher of the year by MLB.com earlier this month for his season at two Class-A stops.

“Getting recognition from MLB, I must be doing something right,� Hose said. “I knew I wasn’t going to be a top draft pick because of my age and size. I’ve had to do it all with heart and work.�

Hose was a 36th-round selection in the 2008 amateur draft, certainly not a “sure thing� for the majors. But his work out of the bullpen this season — mostly as a closer — caught a few eyes.

“One of the Arizona scouts came up and told me that they never would have thought they were getting a prospect with the 36th pick,� said Hose, 23, earlier this year.

The willingness to change directions helped pave the way.

Hose’s big decision came in March when he was assigned to play for the Class-A South Bend Silverhawks.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Hose had been a successful starter at East Carolina and with Yakima in the Single-A Rookie Northwest League, but he was notified he would be working out of the bullpen. He was one of six or seven starters on the South Bend staff, but most of the others were younger.

In a way, it was a blessing for Hose. He loved to pitch, and now he would do it more often.

“I worked as a reliever before,� Hose said. “I did some in high school when I played on my fall travel team and I did some in college, so it wasn’t too much of an adjustment,� Hose said. “You have to be prepared every day to go in every time. I like going in and working in those situations.�

Hose showed his worth in the new role immediately. After starting the season as South Bend’s setup man, he took over the closer role and posted a 3-2 record with 11 saves and a 1.70 earned run average, striking out 43 and walking 12 in 37 innings. He was selected to pitch in the Midwest League’s All-Star Game.

The Diamondbacks promoted Hose to Visalia in the Class-A California League, where he gained one more save in 15 appearances while striking out 27 and walking five in 22 2/3 innings.

For the season, Hose turned in 12 saves and a 3-2 record in 59 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 70 and walked just 17.

“After my last outing in Visalia, my coach told me that I had made a strong case to start in Double-A next year,� Hose said. “I have to go in and start putting up the numbers in order to move to the majors.�

Hose has been working out in Hagerstown, doing conditioning at the YMCA. He won’t start throwing again until he gets ready to head to spring training in February.

Then it will be time to alphabetize again, with labor before satisfaction.

“I can’t believe I won this award,� Hose said. “It just proves to me that I have to keep working. I can’t be satisfied with what I got. I have to keep working to get what I want — to get to the major leagues.�

Hubs blast Century in opener, 10-1

March 25, 2010

SYKESVILLE, Md. — Freshman Andrew Yacyk had two hits, including a two-run homer, as North Hagerstown opened its season with a 10-1 over Century on Thursday.

Aaron Stottlemyer and Thomas Allen each hit a solo homer and finished with two hits, Ty Benson had a double and a triple and Corey Carpenter also had two hits for the Hubs (1-0).

N. Hagerstown 1 4 1 0 1 2 1 --- 10 13  1
Century            0 0 0 0 0 1 0 ---   1   6  0
Lynn and Allen. Rogless, Darnley (4), Schmidt (7) and Green.
WP-Greg Lynn (1-0)
LP-Rogless

HR: N-Stottlemyer (1st, none on), Allen (3rd, none on), Yacyk (2nd, one on); C-Reid (6th, none on).


________________________________________________________________________

Urbana defeats Hubs, 10-3
March 26, 2010

Urbana's Richard Cruz-Sanchez delivered a three-run home run in the first inning and North (1-1) couldn’t catch up against the unbeaten Hawks (3-0) on Friday---falling 10-3.

Aaron Stoner delivered a two-run homer for North, Ty Benson tripled and Charles Cvijanovich had two hits for North.

Urbana 3 2 0 2 1 1 1 --- 10 12  0
North   1 0 2 0 0 0 0 ---  3    8  0
Rose, Wilson (3) and Milburn. Carpenter, Breeden (4), Spessard (6) and Allen.

WP-Wilson (1-0).
LP-Carpenter (0-1).

HR: U-Cruz-Sanchez (1st, two on); NH-Stoner (3rd, one on).

Hubs get back on track, explode past Railroaders, 18-8
April 1, 2010

BRUNSWICK, Md.--- Andrew Yacyk had two hits, including a three-run homer, in the Hubs’ six-inning MVAL Antietam rout of Brunswick.

Jake Bachtell had three hits for North (2-2, 1-1), while Ty Benson, Ryan Sword, Aaron Stoner, Charles Cvijanovich and Phillip Pietro each added two hits.

North Hag 3 3 7 0 0 5 --- 18 17  4
Brunswick  4 1 0 2 0 1 ---  8   7   5
Lynn, Breeden (5), Spessard (6) and Allen. Walters, Webber (3), Cooper (6) and Strahin.
WP: Greg Lynn (2-0)
LP: Walters.

HR: NH-Andrew Yacyk (3rd, two on); B-Dinges (6th, none on).

Blazers take fire out of Hubs' bats

By TIM KOELBLE, Herald-Mail
March 30, 2010

CLEAR SPRING --- Brandon Glazer buckled down early and Brad Jordan kept things in order late as Clear Spring scored a 4-2 victory over North Hagerstown on a cold, windy Tuesday afternoon.

Glazer escaped trouble by stranding North Hagerstown runners at second and third without allowing a run in each of the first two innings. In the seventh, Jordan entered a two-on, none-out situation and bailed out the Blazers, striking out the side to secure the win in the MVAL Antietam Conference opener for both teams.

"Glazer had some velocity but not his best stuff, but he’s a tough arm,� said Clear Spring coach Mark Shives. “He got the strikes when he needed them."

The Hubs (1-2, 0-1) failed to produce clutch hits in either situation and it came back to bite them. It ruined a decent pitching performance for Aaron Stoner, who went four innings, allowing only three runs on three hits, while striking out four.

“We just didn’t get the big hit with men on base,� said North coach Steve Myers. “We had guys you want to produce coming up in those situations.�

In each instance, Glazer wiggled out of trouble with the strikeout pitch. He whiffed two batters for the final outs in each inning to quell the threats. He worked four innings, allowing no runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts before leaving after reaching his 70-pitch limit.

“I wanted to get him to five innings but he was up in the count,� said Shives.

Clear Spring (3-0, 1-0) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Corey Morgan doubled and scored on a single by Cody Englehart, who took second on the throw home. Englehart moved to third on a strikeout and then scored on Jordan’s RBI groundout.

The Blazers took a 3-0 lead in the third without a hit. Stoner hit Matt Braithwaite and walked Glazer. After two strikeouts, Braithwaite scored on an infield error.

North pushed two runs across in the fifth off reliever Brad Banzhoff on a walk, fielding error, wild pitch and run-scoring single by Stoner.

Clear Spring answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth off reliever Conner Spessard, again without the benefit of a hit.

Banzhoff was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a sacrifice and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on Joel Rowe’s grounder.

Banzhoff came to pitch in the seventh and allowed leadoff singles to Phillip Pietro and pinch hitter Jake Bachtell before Shives brought in Jordan for the save.

“Stoner competed very well on the mound for North,� said Shives. “They’re a good team. I thought we work the pitch count up but still chased some balls to get us out.�

North outhit Clear Spring 7-4 but left seven runners on base. Stoner had two hits for the Hubs, while Morgan had a pair for Clear Spring.

"(Clear Spring) did the little things they had to do to to win," said Myers.

Clear Spring 4, North Hagerstown 2
North Hag    0 0 0 0 2 0 0 --- 2   7   0
Clear Spring  0 2 1 0 1 0 x --- 4  4   2
Stoner, Spessard (5) and Allen. Glazer, Banzhoff (5), Jordan (7) and Morgan.
WP: Brandon Glazer (1-0)
LP: Aaron Stoner (0-1)
SV: Jordan (1).

Carpenter shuts down Walkersville, 2-0

April 1, 2010

Hagerstown, MD---Corey Carpenter pitched a one-hitter with nine strikeouts to earn his first win of the year as North Hagerstown shut down undefeated Walkersville 2-0 on Thursday.

The Hubs (3-2) broke a scoreless tie by plating both of their runs in the sixth inning. Jake Bachtell scored on a double steal and Thomas Allen followed with an RBI single.

Walkersville  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 0  1  1
North Hag    0 0 0 0 0 2 x --- 2  3  1
Zuniga, Dayhoff (6) and Washter. Carpenter and Allen.
WP: Corey Carpenter (1-1)
LP: Zuniga (1-1).

Hubs march past Frederick, 13-2
4/6/10

FREDERICK, Md. --- Aaron Stoner had two hits, including a double, for North Hagerstown (4-2) in a rout of Frederick.

North Hag 1 2 7 0 3 --- 13 12  4
Frederick   0 0 2 0 0 --- 2     4  1
Stoner, Breeden (5) and Allen. Evans, Hissong (3), Conkria (4), Britt (5) and Hayes.
WP: Aaron Stoner (1-1)
LP: Evans.

Pietro, Yacyk lead North past Williamsport, 5-4

April 7, 2010

HAGERSTOWN --- North Hagerstown scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to rally for a 5-4 win over Williamsport on Wednesday in an MVAL Antietam baseball game.

“It was a good win,� North Hagerstown coach Steve Myers said. “It was a tough game the whole way. We were lucky that we came out on top. So far this year, we have been getting some clutch hits when we have needed them.�

North (5-2, 2-1) started its game-winning rally with two outs in the last of the fifth. Andrew Yacyk singled to center and scored the tying run on a double to left by Phillip Pietro, who scored what proved to be the winning run on a double to left by Jake Bachtell.

Pietro ended up with a pair of RBI doubles, while Yacyk had two hits and scored two runs for the Hubs.

Conner Spessard got the win in relief and Justin Breeden picked up the save for the Hubs.

Jason Hammond had two hits for the Wildcats (4-4, 2-1).

“We played solid defense,� Williamsport coach Larnie Vickers said. “We just came up a little bit short. North got a couple of key hits right at the end to get those runs in.�

The Hubs scored one run during each of the first three innings to take an early 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats scored two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to take a 4-3 lead.

North Hagerstown 5, Williamsport 4
Williamsport 000 220 0 — 4 6 0
N. Hagerstown 111 020 x — 5 8 1
Mann, Cline (1) and Butts. Lynn, Spessard (5), Breeden (7) and Allen. WP — Spessard (1-0). LP — Cline. Sv — Breeden (1).

Cvijanovich having grand time as a Hub

By TIM KOELBLE
April 10, 2010

BOONSBORO — Charles Cvijanovich is one of the young newbies on the North Hagerstown baseball team this season and is quickly establishing himself as an important part of the Hubs.

The sophomore third baseman came into Friday’s game hitting .409 from the seventh spot in the lineup and did nothing but cause problems for Boonsboro, cracking a grand slam in the first inning to pave the way for a 14-2 six-inning victory over the Warriors.

“(Charles) has been a good hitter for us,� said North coach Steve Myers. “What I didn’t expect was to see power from him, especially going into the wind.�

Boonsboro starter Justin Lewis had a two-out, one-on situation in the top of the first before yielding a single to Aaron Stoner that scored Aaron Stottlemyer.

Ryan Sword kept the inning going with a double and Andrew Yacyk then walked.

Cvijanovich was in a two-strike count when he nailed a slider over the plate, sending a drive into the teeth of a hefty wind to left field for a 5-0 Hubs lead.

“You call for a slider but you want your pitcher to throw it that the batter is going to chase after it, not over the plate on an 0-2 count,� said Boonsboro coach Ben Leonard.

Boonsboro (1-7, 1-3) scored in the first and second, while North (6-2, 3-1 MVAL Antietam) tallied single runs in the second and fourth for a 7-2 lead.

Scott Haupt had Boonsboro’s lone hit, a home run to right in the second inning off Stottlemyer, who made his first mound appearance of the season.

“(Aaron) stepped in and threw great and mixed up his pitches very well,� said Myers.

Stottlemyer went four innings, allowing one earned run with three strikeouts.

The Hubs drove forward with a seven-run sixth inning, highlighted by Jake Bachtell’s bases-loaded double.

“We’re focused on Monday now (vs. Smithsburg),� said Myers. “It will be a big game in the league.�

Phil Hershberger pitched four creditable relief innings for Boonsboro before tiring at the outset of the sixth inning.

“He is a senior and stepped forward when I asked, ‘Is there anyone here that can pitch?’� said Leonard on having to remove Lewis in the top of the second.

“We’re just not baseball smart right now,� he said.

It was the fifth run-rule loss for the Warriors, who have allowed 12.5 runs a game this season.

North Hagerstown 14, Boonsboro 2
North 510 107 — 14 9 4
Boonsboro 110 000 — 2 1 3
Stottlemyer, Dillow (5) and Allen. Lewis, Hershberger (2), B. Beard (6), Ruiz (6) and Gregory. WP — Stottlemyer (1-0). LP — Lewis (0-4). HR — NH: Cvijanovich (1st, three on); B: Haupt (2nd, none on).

Pietro's bloop single in seventh leads North past Smithsburg, 5-4

By TIM KOELBLE
April 13, 2010

HAGERSTOWN — When the baseball left Phillip Pietro’s bat, it appeared North Hagerstown and Smithsburg were headed for extra innings on Monday at North.

With two out and the bases loaded, North Hagerstown’s Pietro lifted a pop fly into medium left field that had Dylan Ianaro racing in and shortstop Ryne Willard moving backward.

Ianaro appeared to have caught the ball in the web of his glove before hitting the ground, but the umpire ruled Pietro safe as Ianara lost the ball while trying to show the umpire the caught ball.

Thus, North (7-2, 4-1) ruined a Smithsburg two-run rally in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game as the Hubs managed a 5-4 MVAL Antietam victory.

“The way (Ianaro) appeared to have showed the umpire the ball was the difference,� said Smithsburg coach Trey Cobb. “But it wasn’t just one play. We fought every play and (Aaron) Stoner threw a good game for them.�

Smithsburg’s Dylan Eyler, making his first start of the year, retired the first two Hubs in the bottom of the seventh before Stone and hot-hitting Ryan Sword followed with singles to put runners on first and third.

Freshman Andrew Yacyk was intentionally walked because Cobb preferred to face Pietro, who had an opposite-field single earlier in the game, in the situation.

Stoner was sharp early with good velocity and breaking balls before tiring in the seventh, allowing only five hits and two runs. The Leopards tied the score at 4-all on a run-scoring single by Aaron Dinterman — knocking out Stoner — followed by a Brandon Wiley single and a subsequent North fielding error to tie the game off reliever Justin Breeden.

“I thought (Aaron) threw with great velocity but he just got a little sore and tired at the end,� said North coach Steve Myers.

Sword, who had three of North’s 12 hits, drove in runs in the second and fifth innings. Jake Bachtell drove in a run in the second and Yacyk had an RBI single in the fifth.

“(Sword) has been in a little slump but is beginning to contribute,� said Myers. “We’ve had contributions from players up and down the lineup this year.�

Eight starters had hits for the Hubs. Stoner and Bachtell each had two.

“I knew we’d have pitching and defense, but we’re getting results from some of the young hitters,� said Myers.

Dinterman and Wiley had two hits each for the Leopards, now 4-3 overall and a surprising 2-3 in the MVAL.

“We’re in a bad patch right now,� said Cobb. “We gave up two runs that we shouldn’t have. We’re going to work on our outfielders being more aggressive.�


North Hagerstown 5, Smithsburg 4
Smithsburg 001 001 2 — 4 6 3
North 011 020 1 — 5 12 2
Eyler and Gouff; Stoner, Breeden and Allen. WP—Breeden (1-0). LP—Eyler (2-1).

South ends Hubs streak, 8-5

By JACK HILL III/Staff Correspondent
April 14, 2010

HAGERSTOWN — South Hagerstown’s 0-3 start to the baseball season seems like a distant memory.

The red-hot Rebels defeated rival North Hagerstown 8-5 on Wednesday for their sixth win in their last seven games.

“We hit the ball well again,� South coach Ralph Stottlemyer said. “We were aggressive on the basepaths as usual. We can produce runs. We have got a good-hitting lineup from top to bottom. Nobody better count us out.�

The host Rebels (6-4, 3-3 MVAL Antietam) snapped a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning. Luke Toms and Garrick Boward both reached base on singles and scored after a pair of errors to make it 7-5.

South added a run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly to center by Tyeler Presgraves.

Rebels starting pitcher Jordan Hatfield gave up only three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings to get the win.

The Hubs threatened to score in the top of the seventh when they drew three straight walks with one out to load the bases. Jordan Miller then came on in relief for the Rebels. Miller got the next Hubs batter to line out to second baseman Toms, who then threw to Jordan Nicewarner at first to double up the Hubs’ baserunner to seal the win.

“We got a good pitching outing from Jordan Hatfield,� Stottlemyer said. “He had pretty good control until the seventh inning and then he lost it. Jordan Miller came in and did what he had to do by throwing strikes.�

Trevor Haupt, Presgraves and Toms had two hits apiece for South.

Thomas Allen, Ryan Sword and Phillip Pietro had two hits apiece for North (7-3, 4-2).

“We had a couple of bad breaks,� North coach Steve Myers said. “We got doubled up on a couple of balls. We had an opportunity in the top of the seventh. We just couldn’t finish. They hit the ball up and down the lineup. They did what they had to do. Their starting pitcher came out and threw strikes. He had us guessing all day.�

The Rebels got the first run in the bottom of the first when Presgraves scored on a throwing error.

The Hubs tied the game at 1 in the second on a sacrifice fly by Pietro and went up 2-1 in the third on a bases-loaded walk to Sword.

The Rebels regained the lead at 4-2 with three runs in the third. Haupt and Toms got RBI singles before Andrew Barnhart scored on a wild pitch.

Nick Stubbs blasted a solo homer to center in the fourth to raise the Rebels’ lead to 5-2.

The Hubs scored three runs in the top of the fifth to tie the score at 5-5 on an error, a double steal and an RBI single by Pietro.

North 011 030 0 --- 5  8  5
South 103 121 x --- 8  9  2
Lynn, Spessard (5) and Allen. Hatfield, J. Miller (7) and Haupt.
WP: Hatfield.
LP: Greg Lynn
SV: J. Miller.

HR: SH-Nick Stubbs (4th, none on).

Hubs, Cougars suspended by weather

Hubs blaze undefeated Clear Spring, 11-4

By TIM KOELBLE, Herald-Mail
April 22, 2010

HAGERSTOWN — With the game on the line, North Hagerstown pitcher Aaron Stoner thought he was about to be relieved when coach Steve Myers made his second visit to the mound in the top of the fifth inning.

North Hagerstown was clinging to a 4-3 lead and Clear Spring was trying to preserve its unbeatened record with runners at second and third and one out.

“I had no intentions of pulling him,� said Myers. “The first visit, I wanted him to relax, throw strikes and see what he had left. The second, I told him this was his last inning and finish strong.�

Stoner finished off Brian Lesher and Cody Englehart, allowing the Hubs to conquer Clear Spring 11-4 and move within 1 1/2 games of the MVAL Antietam lead.

“I thought I was coming out,� said Stoner. “I just took some deep breaths. (Clear Spring) is a really good team.�

The Blazers (10-1, 7-1) had scored on a two-run single by Corey Morgan but Stoner fanned Lesher and induced Englehart into a fly to center.

The Hubs (8-3, 5-2) took a 2-1 lead in the second off Lesher with Thomas Allen’s RBI double and a RBI grounder by Charles Cvijanovich. They added two more runs in the third, highlighted by Stoner’s RBI triple to score Ty Benson.

“I was looking for a belt-high pitch and got a fastball right there,� said Stoner, indicating right across the middle of the plate.

After the Blazers stranded two runners for the third time in five innings, North went to work against reliever Brad Banzhoff with seven runs.

After a fielding error by Clear Spring shortstop Brandon Glazer, Allen hit a second RBI double and Phillip Pietro and Cvijanovich drove in runs to set the stage for a clinching at-bat by Benson.

Benson sent a drive over the left-field fence for a grand slam, his first varsity homer and the Hubs’ second slam of the season.

“Stoner is a tough kid,� said Myers. “We got some clutch hitting today against a good team.�

Allen, Cvijanovich and Jake Bachtell had two hits each for the Hubs.

Morgan had three hits and three RBIs and Glazer had two hits for the Blazers, accounting for all but three of Clear Spring’s hits.

"There was no doubt out there who was the better team today,� said Clear Spring coach Mark Shives. “Being 10-0 hasn’t proven anything. It hasn’t won a league title or any playoffs. We didn’t execute with men on base.�

North Hagerstown 11, Clear Spring 4
Clear Spring 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 ---  4   8  2
North Hag    0 2 2 0 7 0 x --- 11  9  1
Lesher, Yost (3), Banzhoff (5), Walling (6) and Morgan. Stoner, Carpenter (6) and Allen.
WP: Aaron Stoner (2-1).
LP: Lesher (2-1).

HR: NH-Alijah Benson (5th, three on).

Brunswick wrecks North, 11-0

By JACK HILL III/Staff Correspondent
April 24, 2010

HAGERSTOWN — Two days after knocking off previously unbeaten Clear Spring, North Hagerstown suffered a letdown against Brunswick.

Tyler Itnyre pitched a shutout and Michael Hooper had four hits and four RBIs as the Railroaders crushed the Hubs 11-0 in six innings in an MVAL Antietam baseball game.

“We just slept all through the game,� North coach Steve Myers said. “Hopefully, we learned a little bit about ourselves. Just because you beat a good team like Clear Spring doesn’t mean the rest of the victories are going to come easy. Brunswick came out and pounded it. They hit the ball real well today. We just didn’t match up with them in the hitting today.�

Itnyre allowed only three hits and a pair of walks while striking out six. He and Dylan Brown also had three hits each for Brunswick (8-7, 5-4).

“Today is the first day of this season that we have put all three facets of the game together: Pitching, defense and hitting,� Brunswick coach Roger Dawson said. “If we can put all three together on a consistent basis, then I think that is the type of team that we can be.�

The closest that North (8-4, 5-3) came to scoring was in the bottom of the third inning. Jake Bachtell led off with a single to right to raise his team-leading batting average to .500. Charles Cvijanovich then singled to move Bachtell to second, and both runners advanced one base on a wild pitch. But the next three Hubs batters were retired to kill the threat.

Andrew Yacyk singled in the fourth for the Hubs’ only other hit.

Brunswick got a run in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly by Brett Stramin.

The Railroaders rallied for five runs in the second for a 6-0 lead. Hooper belted a three-run double, while Zach Dinges and Stramin added an RBI double each.

Brunswick got two more runs in the third on an RBI double by Hooper and an RBI single by Dinges, and added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Brown. Brunswick scored its final two runs in the sixth on a two-run double by Itnyre.

Brunswick               1 5 2 0 1 2 --- 11  15   0
North Hagerstown 0 0 0 0 0 0 ---  0     3   0
Itnyre and Stramin. Lynn, Spessard (2), Dillow (5) and Allen.
WP: Itnyre.
LP: Greg Lynn (2-2)

 

Hubs club Boonsboro, 15-5

By JACK HILL III

April 29, 2010

Hagerstown, MD---The cool weather didn’t affect North Hagerstown’s hot bats Wednesday, as the Hubs clubbed the Boonsboro Warriors 15-5 in an MVAL Antietam game halted by the 10-run rule after six innings.

The Hubs led the entire game as they started off with two runs in the first, spaekd by a leadoff homer from Charles Cvijanovich. North added three runs in the second and four runs in the fourth for a 9-0 lead.

Thomas Allen had three hits and four RBIs, including the game-ending two-run double in the bottom of the sixth for North (10-4, 7-3). Aaron Stottlemyer reached base in all five plate appearances, had two hits and scored five runs.

Cvijanovich and winning pitcher Aaron Stoner each had two hits and three RBIs, Andrew Yacyk had two hits and two RBIs and Ty Benson added two RBIs.

“We came out and got a good performance from the whole team,� North coach Steve Myers said. “We didn’t leave guys stranded. We got hits when we needed them.�

The Warriors (2-13, 1-9) scored all five of their runs in the top of the fifth, cutting the margin to 9-5. Rodney Flora, who finished with two hits, had a two-run triple to highlight the inning.

But the Hubs responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the sixth to close the game.

“We’re doing what we can,� Boonsboro coach Ben Leonard said. “We have got a young team. About 60 percent of our team is sophomores and freshmen. We are eventually going to get better.�

North Hagerstown 15, Boonsboro 5
Boonsboro              0 0 0 0 5 0 --- 5   4   4
North Hagerstown 2 3 0 4 3 3 --- 15 14  0
Cibula, N. Hardy (5) and Gregory, Haupt (5). Stoner and Allen.
WP: Aaron Stoner (3-1)
LP: Cibula (0-5).

HR: NH-Charles Cvijanovich (1st, none on).

Leopards put up 22 on Hubs in nine-run loss

By WILL ROBINSON/Staff Correspondent

April 30, 2010

SMITHSBURG — North Hagerstown and Smithsburg brought the bats to Friday’s MVAL Antietam baseball game, but forgot the pitching and defense.

Like a heavyweight title fight, the Hubs and Leopards traded blows and leads several times until Smithsburg staggered North with a 12-run sixth inning that put the Hubs away, 22-13.

The Leopards (9-6, 6-4) set the tone early with a three-run homer by Ryne Willard and a two-run homer by Jack Schwartz to take a 5-1 lead.

The Hubs (10-5, 7-4) came roaring back with seven runs in the second to take the lead, 8-5. The rally was punctuated by Ty Benson’s grand slam.

Neither starting pitcher made it past the third inning. Smithsburg’s Aaron Schroyer allowed eight runs on seven hits, while North’s Greg Lynn gave up seven runs on six hits.

While the Leopards played pretty solid defense, the Hubs committed five errors which led to three Smithsburg runs.

Still, the Hubs led 13-10 into the sixth inning after Conner Spessard calmed Smithsburg’s bats with three innings of relief work, allowing just three runs.

However, the Leopards revived their offense in the bottom of the sixth and regained the lead for good after Spessard left the mound.

Aaron Stottlemyer came in for the Hubs and lasted just a third of an inning, allowing four runs to give Smithsburg a 14-13 lead. The Leopards continued to score when Cody Dillow relieved Stottlemyer, scoring eight more runs on six walks and just three hits.

“We’ve got pitching, but some guys aren’t where they need to be considering where we are in the season,� said Hubs coach Steve Myers. “Some guys need to find themselves or they may be left out in the cold come playoff time.�

The No. 3 spot in both lineups produced in a big way. Willard went 2-for-4 with the homer and five RBIs for Smithsburg, while Benson went 3-for-4 with his homer and six RBIs.

Smithsburg coach Trey Cobb praised his players for continuing to battle in a marathon game which lasted over three hours.

“We’ve been down before and we kept at it. Our kids made it happen,� Cobb said. “We knew we had to be disciplined at the plate and it worked to our advantage. They played hard and stayed positive. It was a great team game.�

The loss overshadowed an offensive onslaught by the Hubs, who had 20 hits, with every starter getting at least one hit.

“The kids are upset and they should be, but we’re keeping our same philosophy,� Myers said. “Smithsburg played a good game. Now it’s time to prepare for South.�

North 171 130 0 — 13 20 5
Smithsburg 521 11(12) x — 22 16 1
Lynn, Spessard (3), Stottlemyer (6), Dillow (6) and Allen. Schroyer, Cardone (3), Wiley (7) and Gouff. WP — Cardone. LP — Allen. HR — NH: Benson (2nd, three on). S: Willard (2nd, two on), Schwartz (2nd, one on).

Hubs defeat South 13-9 in Diamond Classic

By TIM KOELBLE / May 3, 2010

HAGERSTOWN --- The North Hagerstown-South Hagerstown baseball series was meant to be one of breaking win streaks this season.

North disrupted South's five-game win streak with a 13-9 decision on Monday night at Municipal Stadium.

The Hubs evened the score. On April 14, South (11-7, 8-5) had beaten North (11-5, 8-4) to end the Hubs' six-game win streak.

"That's a good deal stopping a win streak," said North coach Steve Myers after his team had defused a seventh-inning, five-run charge by the Rebels. "You can't beat that."

And the way the Hubs started off, they were going to make it tough for the Rebels to beat them.

With one swing of the bat by Aaron Stoner, the Hubs charged to a 4-0 lead with a long smash to the old bullpen in center field.

That blast followed a hit batter, a walk and a short single to left by Ty Benson to load the bases off starter Jordan Hatfield.

“That’s why (Aaron) is hitting cleanup for us,� said Myers. “He has been hitting well.�

It was the fourth grand slam this season for the Hubs.

The blast staked Cory Carpenter to an early lead and he made it stand up, except for a period in the fifth inning when South began to catch up with the righthander.

Nick Stubbs had a one-out home run and Timmy Hoover followed with a single before Tyeler Presgraves unloaded on a two-run smash that was as long as any hit in any level of game at Municipal Stadium.

His dinger leared the upper wall in left-center field to the right of the scoreboard, an estimated 440 feet, closing the deficit to 6-4 with one out.

But North answered with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Andrew Yacyk had an RBI double, Charles Cvijanovich had a two-run single and Aaron Stottlemyer and Ty Benson had run-scoring doubles to highlight the inning.

Carpenter went six innings and yielded eight hits and struck out eight Rebels.

“Corey threw well, and even in the fifth he still came back and got the last two outs without any more damage,� said Myers.

Greg Lynn, who has scuffled recently, pitched the seventh for North and is still scuffling after allowing five runs and five hits, including run-scoring singles by Trevor Haupt and Luke Toms and a two-run double by Kenny Kitchens.

South, which had scored 34 runs on 29 hits in its last two games, actually outhit North 13-12.

Presgraves had three hits and three RBIs and Kitchens also had three hits.

“Four runs in the first, seven in another and what does that tell you when you have 13 hits,� asked South coach Ralph Stottlemyer.

Five players — Cvijanovich, Benson, Stoner, Yacyk and Jake Bachtell — had two hits each for North.


North Hagerstown 13, South Hagerstown 9
South Hagerstown 0 0 1 0 3 0 5 ---  9   13  1
North Hagerstown 4 0 2 0 7 0 x --- 13  12  3
Hatfield, Toms (3), Appel (5), May (5), J. Miller (6) and Haupt. Carpenter, Lynn and Allen.
WP: Corey Carpenter (2-1)
LP: Hatfield (3-2).

HR: SH-Nick Stubbs (5th, none on), T.Presgraves (5th, one on); NH-Aaron Stoner (1st, three on).

 

Hubs defeat Catoctin, 10-7

May 7, 2010----North closed out the regular season with a 10-7 victory over Catoctin in the completion of a suspended game from April 17.

Ty Benson's three-run triple highlighted a nine-run third inning for the Hubs (12-6, 9-5). Aaron Stoner led North with two hits, while Greg Lynn pitched a complete game victory with six strikeouts.

Zach Krietz had two hits and Austin Carter homered for Catoctin (10-9, 6-7).

Catoctin                  2 0 1 1 2 1 0 ----7   8   2
North Hagerstown 0 0 9 0 0 1 x ---10  6   4
Gautney, Ausherman (3), Wealty (6) and Larson. Lynn and Allen, Collela (3).
WP-Lynn (3-3)
LP-Gautney

HR: Cat-Carter (3rd, none on).

Lynn, Hubs eliminate hot North Carroll, 7-1

By JACK HILL III  Staff Correspondent / May 18, 2010

HAGERSTOWN --- Senior pitcher Greg Lynn gave up only one run and five hits in a complete game to lead the second-seeded North Hagerstown Hubs to a 7-1 victory over the 10th-seeded North Carroll Panthers on Tuesday in the Maryland Class 2A West baseball quarterfinals.

North Hagerstown (13-6) will host sixth-seeded Century — a 5-2 winner over third-seeded Rockville — today at 4:30 p.m.

“I had more command of my fastball than I normally do,� said Lynn (4-3), who has signed to play at Frostburg. “I thought my control was really good. There might have been five or six pitches that didn’t go where I wanted them to go. But then I corrected myself. I know my teammates are going to score some runs for me. We have got some good hitters in the lineup.�

Aaron Stottlemyer, Ty Benson, Aaron Stoner and Ryan Sword collected two hits apiece for North Hagerstown. Benson and Stoner had two RBIs each, while Phillip Pietro and Stottlemyer scored two runs each.

“It was a good all-around performance,� North Hagerstown coach Steve Myers said. “We had good pitching, good hitting and good defense. We got the big lead early and protected it. We kept adding runs on. Greg Lynn came out and did what he needed to do. I’ve been waiting to see that for a while. I keep taking it one day at a time.�

North Hagerstown took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Stottlemyer singled to right, stole second and scored on Stoner’s single to center.

The Hubs added four runs in the second for a 5-0 lead. Andrew Yacyk doubled to center, Pietro singled to right and Jake Bachtell was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Yacyk and Pietro both scored when Charles Cvijanovich reached on an outfield error. One out later, Benson singled to center to knock in Bachtell. Stoner then singled to right to drive in Cvijanovich.

The Hubs got a run in the fourth when Stottlemyer tripled to right and scored on a sacrifice fly by Benson.

The Hubs scored their final run in the fifth when Pietro walked and came home on a double to center by Cvijanovich.

The Panthers (8-12) got their only run in the bottom of the seventh when Austin Maloney scored on a single to right by Dave Anderson.

North Hagerstown 7, North Carroll 1
North Carroll    0 0 0 0 0 0 1 --- 1   5   2
N. Hagerstown 1 4 0 1 1 0  x --- 7 12  0
Anderson, Schultz (3) and Maloney. Lynn and Allen.
WP: Greg Lynn (4-3)
LP: Anderson.

---

 

Carpenter pitches gem, Stottlemyer delivers clutch hit to advance Hubs to regional final

By TIM KOELBLE, Herald-Mail / May 20, 2010

HAGERSTOWN --- North Hagerstown pitcher Corey Carpenter was all wound up during school on Wednesday, ready to get down to business later in the day.

“I saw him early in the day and he was like a kid in a candy store all wound,� said North Hagerstown coach Steve Myers.

Carpenter took the mound and came away a winner with a one-hit performance when Aaron Stottlemyer knocked in Andrew Yacyk with the only run in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Hubs beat Century 1-0 in the Maryland Class 2A West quarterfinals.

“Being a senior, I was ready to go early today,� said Carpenter. “I didn’t want this to be my last game. I was going to leave it all out on the field.�

North gets a shot at the region title Friday when it hosts Walkersville at 4:30. The Lions defeated Middletown 7-5 on Wednesday.

The Hubs (14-6) had beaten Century 10-1 in the season opener, but Wednesday’s affair had much more at stake and Carpenter was equal to the task as he outdueled Century’s Alec Rogness.

Yacyk opened the bottom of the seventh with a single to center and was sacrificed to second by Phil Pietro. Jake Bachtell followed with an infield single to deep short but Yacyk could not advance.

Both runners moved up when Charles Cvijanovich bounced out to the pitcher.

Stottlemyer, who had three sharply hit fly ball outs, sent a 1-2 offering from Rogness into right-center to score Yacyk.

“I came up with the idea of shortening my swings and throwing my hands and bat into the ball,� said Stottlemyer. “I wanted to get to the opposite field.�

In tossing his second one-hitter of the year, Carpenter struck out 11 and walked five and held the Knights (15-8) hitless until Matt Naugler’s clean one-out single with a man on first in the seventh started a potential rally.

Josh Green followed with a walk that loaded the bases, but Rogness missed the offering on a squeeze bunt and a charging Sean Maguire was caught in a rundown for the second out. Carpenter then fanned Rogness to end the threat.

“That was momentum for us to come in and win the game,� said Carpenter.

“You have to come into the dugout and transfer that play into our energy and we did that,� said Myers.

North had squandered an earlier scoring opportunity in the fourth inning when Rogness walked three straight batters with two out.

Myers called for a squeeze play, but Thomas Allen fouled off a pitch that sent Ty Benson back to third. Benson was picked off on the next pitch to the plate.

Allen led off the fifth inning with a double.

Carpenter started with a seven-pitch first inning and at one point between the third and fifth innings had seven straight strikeouts.

Defensively, North excelled with a 5-4-3 twin kill in the second and a strikeout-throwout double play in the fourth.

Hubs claim region title with 5-2 victory over Walkersville

by Tim Koelble, Herald-Mail / May 21, 2010

HAGERSTOWN --- Aaron Stoner's predecessors were a tough act to follow after their complete-game victories in the first two Maryland Class 2A West playoff games.

Still, Stoner made it a hat trick and North Hagerstown's bats did just enough damage to post a 5-2 victory over Walkersville to win the region championship and a berth in next week's state semifinals. Stoner followed the lead of Greg Lynn and Corey Carpenter, who threw gems to put the Hubs in region final position.

North (15-6) will play at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Arundel High School, against either Hammond or Patuxent. The Hubs will be making their first state appearance since 2005 when they reached the state final.

"I really felt strong today because I hadn't pitched in over a week," said Stoner, who scattered six hits, walked only two and struck out six. "I got a little tired in the fifth but took a deep breath and went at it."

Walkersville scored twice in the sixth, cutting into a 5-0 deficit, to break a string of 11 scoreless innings by Hubs pitchers. Both runs were unearned after a fielding error opened the door, followed by three hits.

The victory was revenge for the Hubs, who lost in the region final one year ago to Walkersville.

"I remembered everything about that game," said Stoner. "I came into today with the mindset it was not going to happen again."

It was North's second win over Walkersville this season. The Hubs beat the Lions 2-0 on April 1.

"(Lynn's) game set the tone for the tournament," said North coach Steve Myers. "We were focused, got three complete games and our defense was great."

Offensively, Ryan Sword was the leading dagger into the Lions' hearts.

The senior ripped a two-run single to right to score Charles Cvijanovich and Ty Benson for a 2-0 lead in the first off Walkersville starter Ricky Pardo.

Cvijanovich led off the third with a double and scored when Sword greeted relief pitcher Jon Anderson with an RBI single in a lefty-vs.-lefty situation for a 3-0 lead.

"Two of the biggest hits I've ever had," said Sword. "I got fastballs each time."

North added a run in the fourth on a perfect bases-loaded squeeze play as Phillip Pietro bolted from third when Aaron Stottlemyer laid down a bunt in front of the plate to give North a 4-0 lead.

In the fifth, Pietro drove in Thomas Allen, who had walked, stole second and moved to third on a balk.

Stoner had a rejuvanated seventh inning, retiring the side in order, which included an excellent back-stepping catch by Sword at third.

"I'm not always playing at third and didn't really know if I had the ball," said Sword.

The Hubs stranded nine runners on base, collecting eight hits and six walks.


North Hagerstown 5, Walkersville 2
Walkersville 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 --- 2  6  1
North Hag  2 0 1 1 1 0 x ---  5  8  2
Pardo, Anderson (3), Raymond (6), Zuniga (6) and Wachter. Stoner and Allen.
WP: Aaron Stoner (4-2)
LP: Pardo (2-1)

Hubs defeat highly touted Hammond, 10-4, advance to State Final

By BOB PARASILITI, Herald-Mail / May 25, 2010

GAMBRILLS, Md. --- Aaron Stottlemyer plays baseball by one motto. The North Hagerstown baseball team decided to adopt it.

"I go up to the plate with one motto in mind: "I want it more," Stottlemyer said. "I know if I do that, I will get it before the other guy."

Stottlemyer laid down a key suicide squeeze bunt and the Hubs used a lot of patience for an eight-run sixth inning en route to a 10-4 victory over Hammond on Tuesday in the Maryland Class 2A state semifinals at Arundel High School.

The victory sends the Hubs (16-6) to the 2A state final against Parkside (18-6), a 10-6 winner over Eastern Tech, on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. North will be playing in its first state final since 2005.

North, which trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, scored eight runs on just two hits and seven walks against Hammond (21-3). The Golden Bears allowed five runs to score on wild pitches and one on a balk in the inning.

Stottlemyer was the first batter against relief pitcher Sam Beatty, who replaced Hammond starter Danny Wissmann. Stottlemyer’s suicide squeeze bunt rolled ten feet to the right of the plate, scoring Philip Pietro with the tying run, and Stottlemyer beat the throw to first to keep the bases loaded.

"That was the second time in the tournament that I had to do a suicide squeeze," Stottlemyer said. “First time was against Century and it won the game, 1-0. Coach (Steve Myers) told me to get it down and luckily I beat it out."

Myers never had a doubt on calling the play.

"I said we were squeezing right away," Myers said. “I even told the runner at second (Cody Dillow) that he was going all the way from second, but Aaron beat it out and it kept things going."

Hammond, which scored 10 or more runs in 14 of its 21 wins, fell apart from there, using three relief pitchers.

In one sequence, reliever Travis Clark threw two wild pitches and balked in a run. The only other hit for North was a bloop single by Ty Benson to bring in what proved to be the winning run.

"All it took was for us to get the first pitcher out of the game," Myers said. "We finally got it in the sixth. (Hammond) has been up all year and they have not been challenged like this."

North trailed 4-2 after 5 1/2 innings, but it could have been a lot worse if it weren't for the resilience of starting pitcher Corey Carpenter. He struggled through much of the game, going deep in counts and issuing five walks, but managed to hold Hammond to four single-run innings and keep the Hubs in the game.

"Like I said before, this was potentially our last game and with me being a senior, I left it all out there," Carpenter said. "Hammond is one heck of a team, but we played great defense and stayed in there."

North took a 1-0 lead in the first against a shaky Wissmann, who entered the game with a 7-0 record and a 1.57 ERA. The Hubs loaded the bases on singles by Charles Cvijanovich and Benson around a walk drawn by Stottlemyer. Ryan Sword drew a walk to bring in the run.

Hammond scored single runs in the second, third and fourth innings, using aggressive base running to make it 3-1. North made it 3-2 in the fourth on an RBI single by Pietro.

Hammond went up 4-2 in the sixth on a triple by Matt Shiflett and a sacrifice fly by Joey Logan to set the stage for North’s rally.

Conner Spessard pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief for the victory. Carpenter went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out seven.

Pietro led North's seven-hit attack with two hits and two RBIs.

"From the beginning of the year, the goal was to reach the state final," Carpenter said. “This is a dream come true. The last time North won the title was in 1989, and we’re doing to do it this year.�

North Hagerstown 10, Hammond 4
Hammond        0 1 1 1 0 1 0 ---  4  8  1
N. Hagerstown 1 0 0 1 0 8 x --- 10  7  2
Wissmann, Beatty (6), Tr. Clarke (6), Logan (6) and Shiflett. Carpenter, Spessard (6) and Allen.
WP: Connor Spessard
LP: Beatty

 

Hubs rally to win 2A State Championship

By TIM KOELBLE / May 29, 2010

ABERDEEN, Md. --- Everyone wearing a red jersey in the North Hagerstown dugout knew the five-run deficit the Hubs faced against Parkside after five innings of the Maryland Class 2A state baseball final could be overcome.

After all, North scored eight runs in one inning Tuesday to beat Hammond and reach Saturday's final.

The Hubs had another rally in them, breaking loose for five runs in the top of the seventh inning to forge a tie before pushing across three runs in the ninth to win the championship 10-7 at Cal Ripken Stadium.

"We could see we were in a tough spot, but the other night we came back and we knew it could be done again," said North coach Steve Myers.

North (17-6) won its third state title, its other championships coming in 1986 and 1989. The Hubs were playing in their first state final since 2005.

Aaron Stoner did not have a solid outing on the mound. The Rams (18-7) went to town in the fifth inning with their own five-run rally, including a two-run triple by Coby Royston's one of three triples Parkside hit.

But Greg Lynn and Connor Spessard turned the tables with 3 1/3 innings of one-hit relief, leaving the door ajar just a bit for hope from the offense.

It came in the seventh, when Charles Cvijanovich led off with an infield single and moved up on a bloop single by Aaron Stottlemyer. Ty Benson walked and Stoner came to the plate under the re-entry rule.

Good move by the Hubs.

Stoner cranked a shot deep over the fence in right for a grand slam to cut the deficit to 7-6, and the Hubs weren't done.

Parkside proceeded to walk three straight, and Thomas Allen scored on Cody Dillow's one-out groundout for a 7-all tie.

"The line drives we hit early didn't fall, but finally a bloop or two did and got it going," said Myers. "And Aaron said he was going to hit a home run."

"I did," said Stoner. "I was upset how I pitched and I told Coach I was going to take it for a ride."

Spessard pitched two perfect relief innings and North took command against Ethan Coffey, who came on in relief in the seventh for Parkside.

Allen led off the eighth with a walk and Yacyk ripped a shot inside the bag at third for a double.

Sophomore Phillip Pietro had the biggest hit of his career with a ringing two-run double to left for a 9-7 lead, and the Hubs added another run when Cvijanovich drove in Pietro with a single.

"I can't believe it," said Pietro. "Coach just said to drive it and I got a good pitch to hit. I didn't know if I'd have a chance to do it."

Corey Carpenter came in to pitch the ninth inning and made things a bit interesting with two one-out walks. However, he induced a popup before getting John Donalds to foul out to Yacyk at first to set off a victory celebration.

North drew first blood with a run in the first inning. Three singles loaded the bases before Benson scored on a wild pitch.

Parkside tied it at 1 in the bottom half and took a 2-1 lead in the second inning on a triple by Tyler Carey.

North finished with 12 hits — including two each from Cvijanovich, Stoner, Yacyk and Pietro. Allen scored three runs.

"At the beginning of the year, I thought we could get through the region," said Myers. "I knew it would be tooth and nail. It's a long weekend and it might take that long for (the title) to sink in."

---

 

3/28/11

HAGERSTOWN --- The North Hagerstown Hubs came back from a 4-1 deficit by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to defeat the Clear Spring Blazers 9-4 on Monday in an MVAL Antietam baseball game.

Charles Cvijanovich started the one-out rally for the Hubs with a single to left and then stole second. One out later, Cvijanovich scored from second when Aaron Stoner made it all the way to second base on a throwing error. Jake Bachtell followed with a single and Stoner came home on the play on an outfield error. After Bachtell stole second, Alex Courtney walked. C.J. Owings singled to center to knock in Bachtell.

After Brady Wink walked to load the bases, Matt Daley delivered a two-run single to center. Ty Benson singled to center to knock in Wink.

Cvijanovich then came through with his second hit of the inning by ripping a two-run double to right to drive in Daley and Benson. Andrew Yacyk became the ninth straight Hub to reach base when he singled to left to move the runner to third. But the Blazers then got the third out to end the inning.

“It was a tough game for the most part,� North coach Steve Myers said. “We capitalized on the big inning and we held them from there. We have been preaching about having a philosophy at the plate and having patience. We finally did that today. We didn’t give up. We fought hard after we gave up a few home runs.�

Cvijanovich and Yacyk had three hits each for North (1-1-1, 1-0), the defending Maryland Class 2A state champ. Eight of the nine players in the Hubs’ starting batting order hit safely.

“Everything fell into place,� Cvijanovich said. “We hit the ball hard and we were able to find the holes. I still think we have got the same potential as last year. We know what needs to be done.�

Hubs starting pitcher J.T. Root struck out eight in six innings to get the win. Bachtell pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the top of the seventh for the Hubs.

North took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a two-out rally when Yacyk, Stoner and Bachtell hit three consecutive singles.

Clear Spring tied the score at 1-1 with a run in the third when Brent Mentzer drew a one-out walk and scored, one out later, on a double to center by Dylan Stouffer.

Kyle Frank led off the fourth with a solo homer to center to put Clear Spring up 2-1.

The Blazers got back-to-back solo homers by Logan Appel and Stouffer with two outs in the top of the fifth to extend their lead to 4-1.

“I thought North did a good job by putting up a big inning after we scored,� Clear Spring coach Mark Shives said. “They rallied after we did. I thought the eight-run inning was a big inning. They put the ball in play and that is what you have got to do in high school baseball. They are a veteran ballclub and they don’t quit. That was obvious today.�

North Hagerstown 9, Clear Spring 4
Clear Spring     0 0 1 1 2 0 0 --- 4 6 3
N. Hagerstown 1 0 0 0 8 0 x --- 9 14 2
Yost, Kinna (5), Shanholtz (5) and Moser. Root, Bachtell (7) and Owings.
WP: J.T.Root
LP: Yost

HR: CS-Frank (4th, none on), L. Appel (5th, none on), Stouffer (5th, none on).

Catoctin mauls North, 23-5
4/15/11

THURMONT, Md. ---R.J. Smith had four hits, two home runs and seven RBIs to lead Catoctin past North Hagerstown.

Landon Routzahn had three hits and Austin Carter had three hits and four RBIs for Catoctin, who combined for 24 hits.

Ty Benson and Jake Bachtell had two hits each for North Hagerstown in a loss to Catoctin.

Brady Wink had two RBIs for the Hubs.

North       0   4 1 0 0 --- 5    8   2
Catoctin (10) 4 6 3 x ---23 24  0
Stoner, Wink (1), T. Benson (3), Jones (4) and Williams. Smith, Welty (3), Tylicki (4), Laramore (5) and Johnson.
LP: Stoner

HR: C-Smith 2 (1st, none on; 2nd, one on); Weaver (1st, one on); Kristanvic (2nd, one on).

Cats sink Hubs late
4/15/11

WILLIAMSPORT --- Williamsport scored five of its seven runs in the bottom of the sixth, keyed by Tyson Cline’s two-out grand slam, to rally past North Hagerstown in the MVAL Antietam.

Cline picked up the win in relief and finished with two hits and Tyler Nally had two hits for the Wildcats (5-2, 4-1).

Andrew Yacyk hit a two-run homer and Alex Courtney had two hits for the Hubs.

North Hag    2 0 0 0 3 0 0 --- 5  7  2
Williamsport 2 0 0 0 0 5 x --- 7  5  4
Root, Jones (6) and Owings. Colliflower, Cline (6) and Butts.
WP: Cline (1-0).
LP: JT Root.

HR: N-Yacyk (5th, one on); W: Cline (6th, three on).

by Jack Hill III

HAGERSTOWN— The Williamsport baseball team scored one run in the top of the ninth inning to give every indication it was going to beat North Hagerstown on Wednesday.

But the Hubs answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, with the help of Wildcats, to pull out a 7-6 MVAL Antietam victory.

Ty Benson started the two-out rally by beating out an infield single. Then, he took second on a botched pickoff attempt to set up Andrew Yacyk’s game-tying single to center.

Then, Yacyk also advanced to second on a badly executed pickoff, which gave Jake Bachtell the opportunity to drive in the winning run with a single to left.

“It was nice, but it was more of a team effort,� Bachtell said. “Hitting is contagious. The batters before me got hits and then I got the final hit. We have heart and Coach expects that out of us. We are never going to give up on anything, even if we’re down by 10 runs. We’re only going to get better as long as we play with the same intensity as we played with tonight.�

Bachtell finished with two hits and two RBIs with one run scored. Bachtell also pitched the last 2 1/3 innings in relief for the win.

Williamsport (6-4, 5-3) had taken the lead in the top of the ninth on Tyler Shank’s RBI single to center.

The Hubs (5-3, 4-2) had sent the game to the ninth by scoring a run in the the eighth. Alex Courtney’s RBI single to center to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Courtney reached on an error to open the Hubs’ three-run rally in the fourth.

The Wildcats took the lead in the eighth on an RBI infield single by Connor Arnone.

Benson led the Hubs with three hits.

“We fought hard and we kept coming back,� North coach Steve Myers said. “The kids showed a lot of perseverance. We are just going to try to take it one day at a time and try to win every game.�

Shank and Arnone had two hits and scored two runs each for the Wildcats.

"We had some opportunities to make some routine plays,� Williamsport coach David Warrenfeltz said. “We just didn’t make them. North was able to take advantage of that.�

Hubs top Frederick, 11-6
4/29/11

Ty Benson had two hits and drove in three runs to lead North Hagerstown to a 11-6 victory over Frederick on Tuesday afternoon.

Jake Bachtell, Alex Courtney, and Matt Daley had two hits each, while Bachtell and Aaron Stoner drove in two runs each in the win.

Stoner struck out five batters for the Hubs and picked up the victory.

Brian Smith and Curtis Baker had two hits each for Frederick.

North has now won four straight games and improves to (6-3, 5-2).

Frederick                 0 1 0 3 1 1 0 ----6   7   4
North Hagerstown 0 5 0 2 4 0 x ---11 13  3
Stoner, Wink (6), Jones (7) and Williams. Wilson, Samick (5) and Baker.
WP-Aaron Stoner (2-1)
LP-Wilson

Bachtell, Hubs rout Boonsboro, win fifth straight
4/29/11

Boonsboro, MD----North Hagerstown won their fifth straight game with a 17-9 victory over Boonsboro.

Jake Bachell had three hits, a home run, and three RBI's and Charles Cvijanovich had three hits and drove in two runs. Ty Benson, Andrew Yacyk, and C.J. Owings had two hits each. Benson drove in three runs, Owings had a homer with two RBI's, and Yacyk drove in two runs in the win.

Brady Wink tossed four innings of scoreless relief to pick up the victory.

Justin Lewis hit a three-run homer for Boonsboro.

The Hubs improve to (7-3, 6-2) and Boonsboro falls to (7-7, 5-5).

North Hagerstown 3 2 3 3 0 1 5 ----17 16  4
Boonsboro              3 4 0 0 0 0 2 -----9   5   1
Bushong, Wink (2), Benson (6) and Williams. Hardy, Strunk (3), Beard (7) and Poffenberger.
WP-Wink (1-0)
LP-Hardy

HR: N-Owings (third, one on), Bachtell (fourth, none on). B-Lewis (first, two on).

By ANDREW MASON, Herald-Mail / April 29, 2011

HAGERSTOWN, MD----The control that abandoned Jake Bachtell when he was on the mound came back to him later when he was at the plate.

The North Hagerstown senior went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs in the Hubs’ 15-7 MVAL Antietam victory over visiting Smithsburg on Friday.

Before that game began, the Hubs (8-4, 7-3) and Leopards (5-7, 4-7) completed their game from April 6 that was suspended after seven innings at Smithsburg with the teams tied at 5-5. The Leopards ended up winning 6-5 as Bachtell issued four walks in the bottom of the eighth inning to allow the decisive run.

“The strike zone just wasn’t there for me today. I couldn’t find my release point,� Bachtell said. “I was pretty mad. I wanted to do whatever it took to win the next game. I just had to come back and redeem myself.�

He had an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, in which the Hubs turned four singles, two walks, three errors and a hit batter into a 6-0 lead against Leopards starter Brad Spickler.

Smithsburg answered in the second against Hubs starter J.T. Root, cutting the deficit to 6-5 on a two-run double by Ben Daniels and a three-run double by Ryne Willard.

“That’s baseball for you,� Bachtell said. “You can never be too happy with the runs you have. You have to keep scoring.�

North extended its lead to 9-5 in the fourth on an RBI single by Aaron Stoner and a two-run single by Alex Courtney.

The Hubs blew the game open in the fifth against a pair of relievers, scoring five times for a 14-5 lead. The big blows were Andrew Yacyk’s RBI double to right and Bachtell’s RBI triple to right.

Root, meanwhile, settled down on the mound and went five innings for the win. Aside from the second inning, he was nearly flawless. He finished with eight strikeouts, including a run of six straight.

“(Root) has been a model of consistency for us,� North coach Steve Myers said. “He had a rough inning, but then he settled down and did the job I expect him to do.

“We really wanted to win both games today, but it was imperative that we get the split.�

Charles Cvijanovich, Stoner, Courtney and Matt Daley each had two of North’s 14 hits in the victory. Tyquil Benson had three RBIs, and Stoner and Courtney each finished with two.

Daniels was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs for Smithsburg in the loss.

“We came to play and were hitting the ball, but then the adrenaline died down,� Leopards coach Trey Cobb said. “You have to grind it out all seven innings.�

Smithsburg 6, North Hagerstown 5
North Hag  1 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 --- 5  12  0
Smithsburg 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 1 --- 6   6  2
Root, Bachtell (7) and Williams. Spickler, Rinehart (5), Willard (7) and Durning.
WP: Willard
LP: Jake Bachtell

North Hagerstown 15, Smithsburg 7
Smithsburg 0 5 0 0 0 1 1 --- 7   8   5
North Hag  6 0 0 3 5 1 x --- 15 14  3
Spickler, Daniels (1), Rinehart (5), Eyler (5) and Durning. Root, Jones (6) and Williams.
WP: JT Root
LP: Spickler

Hubs rock Rebels as Stoner adjusts
5/2/11

HAGERSTOWN— North Hagerstown’s Aaron Stoner had nothing on the mound on Monday in the first inning against South Hagerstown.

It’s what he did after that inning to rally his teammates to produce a 5-3 MVAL Antietam baseball victory.

South Hagerstown hammered the Hubs’ right-hander for three runs on five hits for a 3-0 lead, but North took little steps in fighting back that culminated with Andrew Yacyk’s two-run double in the sixth inning.

“I didn’t really have focus and concentration in the first inning,� said Stoner. “Things got a little better in the second inning and I just started to relax.�

Stoner allowed only one hit and two walks over the next five innings, including the sixth when he struck out the side, before he was lifted for closer Aaron Jones in the seventh.

An error and run-scoring singles by Trevor Haupt and Jordan Nicewarner staked the Rebels (5-7, 3-7) and pitcher Riley Stephenson to the early lead.

“You’re in the game until the end and that means we still had six innings to get back into it,� said North coach Steve Myers. “We just needed to get on base and get some clutch hits.�

The Hubs (9-5, 8-3) started their march back in the third with one-out singles by Yacyk and Stoner. They scored on two-out hits by Alex Courtney and C.J. Owings for two runs.

In the fourth, Matt Daley led off with a triple that got past a diving effort by South center fielder Hunter Phillips. Daley eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by C.J. Cvijanovich for a 3-all tie.

“That was a heckuva effort by the boy in center,� said South coach Ralph Stottlemyer.

The Hubs’ first two men reached base in the fifth on walks but Myers disdained any sacrifice efforts to move up runners.

The move, or lack thereof, did not hurt North.

With Jordan Dickens pitching in relief of Stephenson to start the sixth, Daley singled and was sacrificed to second by Cvijanovich before Ty Benson walked.

Yacyk took Dicken’s 3-1 pitch to deep right-center for two runs and the final margin of victory as Jones closed the door in the seventh under a darkening sky.

“My fastball started moving more and that started to set up some other pitches,� said Stoner, who finished with eight strikeouts.

“(Stoner) made the adjustment along the line and our bats suddenly went dead after the first inning,� said Stottlemyer. “We’ve still got plenty of baseball to play this week for seeding.�

North Hagerstown 5, South Hagerstown 3
South 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 3 6 1
North 0 0 2 1 0 2 x --- 5 9 2
Stephenson, Dickens (6), Miller (6) and Haupt. Stoner, Jones (7) and Williams.
WP: Aaron Stoner (3-1)
LP: Dickens (0-1)
SV: Aaron Jones (2).

Hubs open with win over Wildcats

By TIM KOELBLE / March 21, 2012

WILLIAMSPORT — North Hagerstown head coach Drew Crawford picked up his first varsity victory on Wednesday after the Hubs got their bats warmed up.

Scoring three runs in the fifth inning and four in the sixth, North carved out an 8-3 victory over Williamsport in the season opener, which also happened to be an MVAL Antietam Conference opener.

“Williamsport gave us a fight, so it’s good to get the first win,” said Crawford.

North’s Alijah Benson hit the first pitch of the season from Zach Lucas over the fence for a 1-0 lead.

The score remained the same until Williamsport broke through for three runs in the fourth off J.T. Root.

The Wildcats left the bases loaded without further scoring when North shortstop Matt Daley made an outstanding putout at second base on a grounder by Nick Sauble.

Charles Cvijanovich led off North’s fifth with a single and Williamsport coach David Warrenfeltz removed Lucas, who yielded three hits and walked four in four-plus innings, but scrambled out of trouble in the second and fourth.

“It was the right time to make a move,” said Warrenfeltz.

Sauble entered and hit Andrew Yacyk with a pitch and gave up a one-out single to Alex Courtney to score Cvijanovich. Yacyk and Courtney each advanced one base on the throw home.

Matt Daley delivered a sacrifice fly to score Yacyk and C.J. Owings singled to score Courtney for a 4-3 lead.

In the sixth, North’s Zane Schreiber led off with a single and Benson had a bunt single before Sauble retired the next two batters.

Then, Philip Pietro launched a three-run home run to center and was followed by a solo shot from Courtney.

“Situationally, we couldn’t get the hit early,” said Crawford. “We made some adjustments when (Sauble) came in, trying to drive the ball more up the middle. The homers are nice, but that’s something we won’t rely on all year.”

Pietro, Courtney and Benson each had two hits as North collected 10.

“We had some opportunities early and we just didn’t execute,” said Warrenfeltz. “Sauble threw good and I thought North hit good pitches. We knew they’d be tough.”

John Britton came on in relief of Root and slammed the door with three innings of one-hit relief with no walks and five strikeouts.

“(Britton) did a really nice job,” said Crawford. “It’s nice knowing you have a strike thrower in the bullpen.”

Lucas had two of Williamsport’s five hits.

North Hagerstown 8, Williamsport 3
N. Hagerstown 100 034 0 — 8 10 1
Williamsport 000 300 0 — 3 5 2
Root, Britton (5) and Williams. Lucas, Sauble (5), Boward (6) and Butts. WP—Root (1-0), LP—Sauble (0-1), SV—Britton 1. HR—NH: Benson (1st, none on), Pietro (6th, two on), Courtney (6th, none on).

Yacyk, Pietro lead Hubs to 10-2 victory over Linganore

March 23, 2012---Andrew Yacyk keyed a six-run fifth inning with a three-run homer to lead North Hagerstown to a 10-2 victory over Linganore (1-1) on Friday.

Yacyk had three hits, including a homer, had three RBI's and scored three runs, Phil Pietro had three hits, including a double and triple, and drove in two runs in the victory.

Zane Schreiber added two RBI's and Aaron Jones had three stolen bases.

Jones struck out six and picked up the win in relief for the Hubs (2-0, 1-0).

Linganore 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 ---2 6 1
North Hagerstown 0 2 1 0 6 1 x --10 13 2
Bushong, Jones (4), Dopson (7) and Williams. Stephey, Soper (3), Rauch (6).
WP-Jones (1-0)
LP-Stephey (0-1)

HR: Yacyk (fifth, two on).

_________________________________________________________________

Boonsboro gladly accepts Hubs' generosity

by Tim Koelble, Herald-Mail / 3/27/12

BOONSBORO — There were pivotal errors during Monday’s baseball game, but none were more pivotal — or decisive — than North Hagerstown’s second miscue of the seventh inning.

A two-out throwing error capped a five-run outburst to give Boonsboro an 8-7 MVAL Antietam victory over North.

North (2-1, 1-1) had taken a 6-1 lead in the top of the sixth on two hits, a walk and error, before Dustin Gregory nicked North pitcher J.T. Root for a two-run double in the bottom of the inning.

After North scored an unearned run in the top of the seventh for a 7-3 lead, coach Drew Crawford called on John Britton to close out the game, just as he had done last week against Williamsport.

But Britton had little control, walking Ryan Ruiz and Scott Bennett to lead off the inning, followed by Justin Lewis’ infield hit that loaded the bases.

North shortstop Matt Daley committed an error off a ball put in play by Brian Cibula to allow Ruiz to score. Riley Stephenson delivered a sacrifice fly to score Bennett and Gregory added a ground-rule double to score Lewis and move Cibula to third.

Crawford make a pitching change, bringing in Aaron Jones, who promptly issued an intentional walk to Zach Poffenberger to load the bases.

Jones struck out Craig Anderson and induced Brad Enfield to ground to Daley at short, but an errant throw allowed Cibula and Gregory to score the winning runs for the Warriors.

“It just goes to show you can never have too many runs,” said Crawford. “Root was over 100 pitches and Britton has been reliable. They had only one hit in the seventh inning.”

It was a turnaround game for Boonsboro (2-1, 1-0) in its MVAL opener after losing a 7-0 lead to James Buchanan in an 8-7 loss on Friday.

“It’s a big win after the JB loss,” said Boonsboro coach Ben Leonard. “We haven’t started off the season hitting the ball that well, but we got one tonight. You don’t want to be in that position but now they see they can come back.”

Boonsboro had opportunities against Root in the first inning, loading the bases with none out, but Root kept them all stranded.

North held a 2-1 lead through three innings and 3-1 after five against the Warriors, despite five creditable innings by Stephenson, who allowed four hits and four walks with six strikeouts.

Root had five strikeouts and allowed five hits in six innings.

“We should be 3-0 right now,” said Leonard. “I think they started to see they could win the game in the sixth inning.

Gregory and Lewis had two hits each for Boonsboro, while C.J. Owings had three hits for North.

Cibula got the win with two inning of relief.

Boonsboro 8, North Hagerstown 7
North Hag  0 1 1 0 1 3 1 — 7  6  3
Boonsboro 0 0 1 0 0 2 5 — 8  7  3
Root, Britton (7), Jones (7) and Williams. Stephenson, Strunk (6), Cibula (6) and Gregory.
WP — Cibula
LP — John Britton.

Hubs drill South, 14-4

By TIM KOELBLE / March 28, 2012

HAGERSTOWN — What might have been the biggest smash off the bat did not result in a base hit on Wednesday.

And some of those smashes helped lead North Hagerstown to a 14-4 win over host South Hagerstown.

North leadoff batter Charles Cvijanovich ripped the second pitch of the game on a line at South starter Airin Martin.

The ball lashed at Martin’s left calf, who was in obvious pain, but was still able to throw for the putout.

Martin left the game, appearing dazed and confused, but he regained his alertness in a matter of 10 minutes.

“Losing Airin really hurt us on the mound and he’s also our No. 2 hitter,” said South coach Zack Swisher.

Swisher brought in Aaron Roby, who was scheduled to pitch Friday against Clear Spring.

“That was unfortunate for South because we knew Martin was a top arm,” said North coach Drew Crawford.

But North (3-1, 2-1 MVAL) roughed up Roby and began to take control of the game in the third inning to erase South’s 2-1 lead, provided by a two-run home run by Colby Johnson.

Roby walked three and committed a throwing error to allow North to produce the tying run while leaving the bases loaded with none out.

Philip Pietro stepped in and promptly hammered a ball over the center-field fence for a grand slam and a 6-2 lead for the Hubs.

“As the cleanup hitter, Pietro has been doing his job,” said Crawford.

The Hubs added two runs in the fourth on back-to-back doubles by Matt Daley and Andrew Yacyk and a single by Alex Courtney.

South (1-3, 0-2) answered with two runs off North starter Ben Bushong on a walk to Johnson and two-run homer by Kenny Mack.

North put six runs up in the fifth against Roby and reliever Jimmy Rice, highlighted by Courtney’s two-run single and a solo home run by C.J. Owings.

“Roby struggled with control, but then again he didn’t think he’d be pitching,” said Swisher. “North is a good team. The grand slam hurt and we made some technical errors out there.”

North generated its offense on nine hits and eight walks. Daley, Pietro, Courtney and Owings each had two hits each, while Pietro had a career-day with six RBIs. Courtney drove in three.

“We still haven’t played a complete game yet,” said Crawford. “We still need to work on all three phases of the game to get in the mind set of putting people away. I don’t think the final score reflects us being that much better than them.”

Bushong went four innings for his second win, allowing five hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Sean Przywieczerski had two of South’s six hits.

North Hagerstown 14, South Hagerstown 4
North 0 1 5 2 6 — 14 9 1
South 0 2 0 2 0 — 4  6  2
Bushong, Wagner (5) and Williams; Martin, Roby (1), Rice (5) and K. Johnson.
WP—Ben Bushong
LP—Aaron Roby

HR—NH: 3rd, three on), Owings (5th, none on); SH: C. Johnson (2nd, one on), Kenny Mack (4th, one on).

Courtney, Hubs slam door on Leopards

By BOB PARASILITI / March 30, 2012

SMITHSBURG— After four innings, the North Hagerstown baseball team decided to become judge, jury and executioner.

The Hubs allowed Smithsburg to hang around for half the game. It was time to hang the Leopards in the fifth and designated hitter Alex Courtney provided the finishing touches.

Courtney hit what became a game-ending grand slam to cap North’s eight-run fifth inning and lead the Hubs to a 15-5 win over Smithsburg on Friday in an MVAL Antietam game that was shortened to five innings by the 10-run rule.

“We were trying not to let (Smithsburg) hang around,” said Courtney. “We had to get back at them.”

The Hubs (4-1, 3-0), who hit four home runs, led 7-0 through 2 1/2 innings and looked to be en route to a quick, easy victory.

But Smithsburg (0-5, 0-3) got the timing against North starter Aaron Jones to score four runs in the fourth — capped by Devin Baker’s three-run homer — and one in the fourth to move to within 7-5.

“(Smithsburg) had all the momentum in the world coming into the fifth,” said North coach Drew Crawford. “All of a sudden it was a two-run game.”

North Hagerstown brought the game under control in the fifth by scratching out four runs before Courtney’s blast.

C.J. Owings, Matt Daley and Jones hit consecutive one-out singles off Smithsburg reliever James Shifler to produce the first run of the eight-run outburst. The Hubs added two more runs on John Britton’s grounder and an infield single by Alijah Benson to take a 10-5 lead.

Shifler was lifted after walking Charles Cvijanovich and was replaced by Bryan Tracey, who had pitched for the Leopards on Thursday. Tracey issued two straight walks to bring in the fourth run and load the bases for Courtney.

Shortly thereafter, Courtney brought down the hammer with his drive to left center.

“I was just trying to level off my swing and make contact,” Courtney said. “It was a fastball that came across the middle of the plate. I wasn’t thinking about a grand slam, but I did want a couple of RBIs.”

The homer all but deflated the Leopards. Britton, who relieved Jones with two outs in the fourth, set down Smithsburg — striking out two — in the fifth to end the game.

“(Jones) battled for us and nearly gave us four innings. He kept us ahead and got us to the bullpen,” Crawford said. “Britton came on and he throws strikes. He’s the shutdown guy.”

Smithsburg had a chance to make the game really interesting in the fourth as Zach Krall, Shifler and Brock Heiston all singled to load the bases, setting up J.R. Rinehart’s sacrifice fly for the second out.

Baker followed with a single but Shifler couldn’t score, which reloaded the bases. Britton relieved Jones and struck out Kyle Dinterman to end the inning.

“We were right in there,” said Smithsburg coach Trey Cobb. “We just had a little baserunning mishap. We were one swing away from really staying in the game. We are trying to find who will step up in that part of the game.”

Rinehart started for Smithsburg and was touched for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. Jones hit a two-run home run to right in the second as the Hubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

Philip Pietro hit a solo shot and Matt Daley added a wind-aided two-run homer to highlight North’s four-run third for the 7-0 lead.

North finished with 14 hits as Daley and Jones finished with three each. Baker had two of Smithsburg’s nine hits and drove in three runs.

“I’m proud of how the guys stuck around and came back and stick with it,” Cobb said. “How many teams that are 0-4 would do that. We are not as bad as our record shows.”

North Hagerstown 15, Smithsburg 5
North 124 08 — 15 14 2
Smithsburg 004 10 — 5 9 0
Jones, Britton (4) and Williams; Rinehart, Lee (3), Shifler (4), Tracey (5) and Durning, Shifler (5). HR — NH: Jones (2nd, one on); Pietro (3rd, none on); Daley (3rd, two on); Courtney (5th, three on); S: Baker (4th, two on). WP — Jones. LP — Rinehart. SV — Britton.

Root mows down Catoctin, Hubs win 9-2
4/2/12

THURMONT, Md. — North Hagerstown senior ace J.T. Root pitched a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts Monday in a 9-2 MVAL Antietam victory over previously unbeaten Catoctin (4-1, 3-1).

Root, a James Madison recruit, was dominant---retiring the final 18 batters he faced.

Phil Pietro, Charles Cvijanovich and Alex Courtney each had two hits for North.

The Hubs improve to (5-1, 4-1) and will face Clear Spring on Thursday afternoon.

North     0 0 0 1 3 3 2 — 9  10  2
Catoctin 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 2   1   2
Root and Williams. Kennedy, Schubert (5), Welty (6), Cool (7), Johnson (7) and Johnson, P. Larramore (7).
WP—JT Root (2-0)
LP—Kennedy

---

 

Hubs blank Clear Spring, 10-0

By TIM KOELBLE / April 6, 2012

HAGERSTOWN — Even the best baseball team won’t cash in every opportunity.

After wasting a bases-loaded situation in the first inning without scoring, North Hagerstown broke through with seven runs in the third inning and went on to post a 10-0 five-inning victory over Clear Spring.

Clear Spring also loaded the bases in the top of the first, but failed to take an early upper hand on the Hubs.

“That was a shift of momentum to us getting out of their top half of the inning,” said North coach Drew Crawford.

North’s Ben Bushong showed wildness in a 30-pitch first inning with a pair of walks following a single, but he managed to get out of the inning with two of his four strikeouts.

Clear Spring’s Jared Brant went the same route with first-inning wildness, walking three Hubs in succession after two were out, only to whiff C.J. Owings to escape the inning.

But the Hubs (6-1, 5-1 MVAL Antietam) would not waste scoring chances again.

Brant retired the first two batters before he walked Philip Pietro, who stole second and scored on a single by Alex Courtney to break the scoreless tie.

Owings and Matt Daley singled, Aaron Jones and Hunter Williams each walked, Alijah Benson and Charles Cvijanovich had singles and some errant Clear Spring defensive plays led to a 7-0 North lead at the end of the frame.

The Hubs scored a single run in the fourth without a hit and finished off the game in the bottom of the fifth.

Benson had a one-out single, Cvijanovich walked and both moved up a base on a wild pitch. Andrew Yacyk stepped in and took Logan Appel’s first pitch to the fence in right-center on one bounce for a two-run double to close out the contest.

Clear Spring (3-4, 2-4 MVAL), coming off a win over Boonsboro on Wednesday, managed only three hits off Bushong, who went 4 1/3 innings for the win before reaching his pitch limit. Yacyk finished up in relief.

After his first inning dilemma, Bushong settled down with only two more walks while striking out five.

“He made an adjustment on his delivery as the game went on,” said Crawford. “He’s a heady pitcher and can do that.”

The Hubs reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time this season, combining seven hits with nine walks.

“We’ve been working on our hitting approach on two-strike counts, trying to get pitchers deeper into the pitch count,” said Crawford.

Each North starter contributed with a run scored or a base hit.

“Most everyone in the lineup is helping,” said Crawford. “We’re getting on base and driving in runs.”

Clear Spring coach Mark Shives is in the hunt for pitching and gave Brant his opportunity.

“We need to stretch him out, work on location and get some game experience,” said Shives. “Aside from that, to beat a team like North, you have to score in the first when we had chances. We won two games this week and I’m not sure we were ready to play today.”

North Hagerstown 10, Clear Spring 0
Clear Spring 000 00 — 0 3 2
North 007 12 — 10 7 1
Brant, Kees (3), L. Appel (5) and Elwood. Bushong, Yacyk (5) and Williams. WP —Bushong. LP — Brant.

Hubs blast Mountain Ridge, Allegany in Easter Tournament
4/8/12

Cumberland, MD---North Hagerstown notched two victories while scoring 35 runs to dominate Allegany and Mountain Ridge in the Mountain Ridge Easter Classic on Saturday.

North Hagerstown 14, Allegany 3
Phil Pietro and Matt Daley each had two hits and three RBI's to lead North Hagerstown to a 14-3 victory over Allegany.

Alijah Benson, Zane Schreiber, and Aaron Jones had two hits in the win. Schreiber had two doubles and Jones drove in two runs.

J.T. Root allowed only two hits, struck out six, and picked up the victory for the Hubs.

North Hagerstown 21, Mountain Ridge 5
The Hubs scored in all five innings and blasted five round-trippers to crush Mountain Ridge, 21-5.

Charles Cvijanovich hit two home runs, drove in six runs, and scored five runs to lead North to a commanding victory.

Zane Schreiber had three hits and two RBIs, Phil Pietro had a homer and four RBIs, C.J. Owings had two hits, a HR, and four RBIs, and Andrew Yacyk had two hits, a HR, and two RBIs.

J.T. Root and Matt Daley added two hits and Aaron Jones struck out six and recorded the win for the Hubs.

North improves to (8-1, 5-1).

Motherly advice pays off for Yacyk to Hubs' benefit

By BRETT NIEVES Herald-Mail Staff Correspondent / April 13, 2012

CLEAR SPRING — Andrew Yacyk launched two home runs and drove in seven runs for North Hagerstown on Friday, leading the Hubs to a 15-6 victory over Clear Spring in an MVAL Antietam contest shortened to six innings by darkness.

Yacyk walked, reached on an error and flew out to right field before coming to the plate with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. He mashed a pitch over the fence in right center for a grand slam.

“I haven’t been seeing the ball well all season,” Yacyk said. “My mom told me to go to the plate with a clear head, and that’s what I did.”

Following his grand slam, Yacyk entered the batter’s box in the sixth with two runners on and went yard again.

“I recognized the pitch, put a good swing on it and let it ride,” Yacyk said.

Yacyk’s grand slam sparked North (10-1, 6-1), which had been held scoreless the previous two innings.

Phil Petro belted a pitch over the fence in left immediately after Yacyk’s slam, and Alex Courtney later scored on a wild pitch to cap the Hubs’ six-run fifth inning that put them ahead, 11-3.

“It took us awhile to get some hits,” North coach Drew Crawford said. “We had guys on, but not being able to put teams away early has been our Achilles’ heel all season.”

The Hubs had six hitters reach base and scored a run early in the game before they even registered a hit. Clear Spring gave up five walks and hit a batter.

Charles Cvijanovich drove in two runs with a single and Petro and Alex Courtney had back-to-back RBI singles to put North Hagerstown up 5-0 after the second inning.

Clear Spring (4-5, 3-5) got on the board in the third on Nick Hill’s sacrifice fly. The Blazers added two more runs in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk and Brent Mentzer’s RBI single.

The Blazers actually held a 5-4 hitting advantage over North Hagerstown at that point, but according to coach Mark Shives, the problem wasn’t at the plate, but on the mound.

“We’re out-hitting them in the fourth and then we’re down 10 runs. It’s not hard to figure out what the problem was,” Shives said.

Clear Spring added three runs in the home side of the fifth to cut the lead to 11-6, but North’s four-run sixth inning spelled the end for the Blazers and the sunlight.

North Hagerstown 15, Clear Spring 6
North Hag   1 4 0 0 6 4 — 15  9   1
Clear Spring 0 0 1 2 3 0 — 6   7   3
Bushong, Britton (4), Dopson (6), Yacyk (6) and Williams. L. Appel, Williamson (2), Shanholtz (5), Kinna (6) and Stouffer.
WP — Ben Bushong
LP — Logan Appel

 

Root hurls no-hitter, Yacyk leads offense as Hubs destroy Century, 18-0

Sykesville, MD---J.T. Root pitched a five inning no-hitter with nine strikeouts and Andrew Yacyk went 4-for-4, with three HR's and six RBI's to lead North to an 18-0 victory.

Zane Schreiber, Charles Cvijanovich, Phil Pietro, C.J. Owings, and Cory Staubs had two hits each.

Owings had a grand slam and drove in five runs, Troy Carbaugh had a grand slam and drove in four runs, and Schreiber had a HR and drove in two runs in the victory.

Root's no-hitter was the first pitched by a Hubs pitcher in 12 years. The last North pitcher to pitch a hitless game was Steve Heefner in April of 2000.

Yacyk became only the third North player ever to homer three times in the same game and is now one HR from tying the North single-season record of eight, held by Randy Butts (1982) and Matt Tedrick (2002).

The 13 total bases by Yacyk in Monday's game broke Matt Johnson's single-game record of 12 set in 2001. His 13 RBI's over two games are the most in Hubs history over a two-game stretch.

Charles Cvijanovich record streak of reaching base safely ended on Monday at 17. Cvijanovich obliterated the old mark of nine set by Eric Showe in 1989 and tied by Chris Palmer in 2006.

The Hubs improve to (10-1, 6-1).

North Hagerstown 2 2 4 1 9 ----18  17  0
Century                  0 0 0 0 0 ------0   0    0
Root and Williams. Thomas, Ricks (3), Slade (5), Northrop (5) and Ogle.
W--JT Root (4-0)
L--Thomas

HR--Yacyk 3 (1st, one on; 4th, none on; 5th, one on), Owings (3rd, three on), Carbaugh (5th, three on).

Hubs make hits count

By JACK HILL III Staff Correspondent / April 19, 2012

HAGERSTOWN— The North Hagerstown baseball team finally got its bats going against Tuscarora’s Bailey McAullife in the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday.

The Hubs came back from a 2-1 deficit by scoring four runs in the fifth and then contained a rally by the Titans to hold on for a 5-4 victory.

McAullife took a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth, before Zane Schreiber started North’s rally with a one-out single to center. After Schreiber stole second, Hunter Williams and Austin Stone both drew walks to load the bases.

Senior second baseman Charles Cvijanovich then cleared the bases by belting a three-run double to left to put the Hubs on top 4-2. Cvijanovich took third on the relay throw to home plate and then scored when Matt Daley hit a sacrifice fly to left.

“He threw me a fastball and I just put the ball in play,” Cvijanovich said. “We were just able to hit when we needed it. We just showed a lot of character in battling back. We have a strong team and we have a shot at going to the state tournament.”

North coach Drew Crawford said he was disappointed that the Hubs weren’t hitting as they are capable of doing.

“Offensively, our approach was awful today,” Crawford said. “We only had two hits coming off of a 17-hit attack in the previous game. But we were able to scrap out enough runs to get the victory. I still feel that we have got room to improve in every phase of the game. We are going to have to play more consistently if we are going to make a big run in the Maryland Class 3A playoffs.”

Senior pitcher Aaron Jones got the win for North (11-1) to raise his pitching record to 4-0. Jones gave up only three hits and had seven strikeouts in five innings. After John Britton pitched an inning of relief for the Hubs, Andrew Yacyk pitched the final inning of relief for the Hubs and picked up his first save of the season.

Zach Woodward had two hits and two RBIs for Tuscarora (1-10).

Matt Clemons singled to center and Randy Baugher walked to start a rally for the Titans in the top of the sixth. One out later, Woodward singled to center to drive in Clemons and send Baugher to third. The Titans then pulled off a successful double steal as Woodward stole second right before Baugher stole home to cut the Hubs’ lead down to 5-4. But the Titans would not get any closer than that.

“Our pitchers threw the ball well today,” Crawford said. “We made the defensive plays as well when we had to.”

North Hagerstown 5, Tuscarora 4
Tuscarora 000 202 0 — 4 4 2
North 010 040 x — 5 2 1
McAullife and Smith. Jones, Britton (6), Yacyk (7) and Williams. WP — Jones (4-0). LP — McAullife. S — Yacyk (1).

North's 12-run inning is more than enough
4/20/12

HAGERSTOWN — North Hagerstown baseball coach Drew Crawford had a simple pregame message for his players prior to taking the field against Boonsboro on Friday.

Having suffered its lone loss to Boonsboro on March 26, Crawford said he told the Hubs “to look at the big picture and learn from the mistakes we made to lose the game.”

The Warriors gave it their best shot for a season sweep, but North went ballistic in the bottom of the fourth inning. In all, 18 batters stepped into the box and the Hubs scored all 12 of their runs in a 12-0 MVAL Antietam victory in the inning.

North’s Ben Bushong and Boonsboro’s Scott Bennett had been locked in a pitcher’s duel, with Bennett having faced the minimum nine batters through three innings.

From the Boonsboro vantage point, the 12-run inning should never have happened.

Charles Cvijanovich led off with a bouncer to third that Brian Cibula fielded cleanly, but he took too much time getting the ball out of his glove to retire the speedy Cvijanovich.

With Matt Daley up, Cvijanovich broke for second, taking the second baseman out of position as Daley delivered a single to right.

“You need to know (Cvijanovich) is fast, so you have to make the throw quickly,” said Boonsboro coach Ben Leonard. “Then, that opens up second base with a grounder that becomes a base hit. We should have had two outs.”

Andrew Yacyk then delivered a double that scored Cvijanovich to break the scoreless tie.

Philip Pietro, who looked away in disgust after fouling off a pitch, then smacked a two-run single for a 3-0 lead.

After two walks and a single scored Pietro and reloaded the bases, Bushong lifted a weak blooper over Cibula’s head into short left to plate two more runs.

Against relief pitcher Nathan Hardy, Yacyk came to the plate with the bases loaded and drilled a three-run triple to right center. Yacyk scored when the relay throw to third was wild.

Alex Courtney scored the final run on a single by C.J. Owings, who along with Cvijanovich, Daley, Yacyk and Pietro had two hits in the inning.

“The second time through the order you know what (Bennett) had the first time and you adjust,” said Pietro. “Hopefully you take advantage of seeing him again.”

Crawford took note of Bennett’s performance.

“My hat is off to him, he was impressive,” said Crawford.

Pietro also singled in the second, and his three hits pushed his Washington County-leading batting average to .629.

“I was injured a lot last year, so I worked hard during the offseason,” said Pietro.

Boonsboro managed three hits and got three walks, but couldn’t break through against Bushong.

North Hagerstown 12, Boonsboro 0
Boonsboro 000 00 — 0 3 1
North 000 (12)x — 12 14 0
Bennett, Hardy (4), Butrick (4) and Gregory. Bushong, Wagner (5) and Williams. WP — Bushong. (5-0). LP — Bennett (1-2).

Hubs get to the Root of things with win over Cats

by Will Robinson, Herald-Mail  / 4/30/12

HAGERSTOWN, MD — The wins keep piling up for North Hagerstown baseball.

Behind an impressive six innings from J.T. Root, the Hubs housed the Williamsport Wildcats 7-1 in Monday’s MVAL Antietam contest.

Despite his hitless streak coming to an end at 13 1/3 innings with Brandon Greene’s leadoff single, Root settled in and found his groove, totaling 11 strikeouts and four walks for his sixth victory without a loss.

“They’re going to get hits, that’s just part of the game,” said North coach Drew Crawford. “The big thing for J.T. was getting out of instances where (Williamsport) could have big hits. He was able to minimize the damage by getting the outs early in innings.”

North (14-1, 9-1) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Charles Cvijanovich and Andrew Yacyk each scored on errors and Philip Pietro hit a sac fly to score Matt Daley. The Hubs added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning on RBI-singles by Root and C.J. Owings.

“We had a lot of good team at-bats,” said Crawford. “We were able to execute situational baseball in getting those three runs early and grabbing the momentum.”

Williamsport’s lone run came in the top of the fourth inning on a solo home run by Tyler Byers. The Wildcats were in position to add to their total with Riley Arnone on third and Nick Williams on second with one out, but Root struck out Colby Byers and induced a 6-3 groundout from Nick Sauble.

“I think J.T. pitched a heck of a game. He really had us off-balance with his speed and location,” said Williamsport coach Dave Warrenfeltz.

The Hubs added another run in the bottom of the fourth when Yacyk singled to knock in Daley, who reached base on an error. Root’s second RBI single in the fifth scored Alex Courtney for the final score.

Zach Lucas took the loss for Williamsport (9-7, 6-5), though only two of his seven runs were earned. The Wildcats totaled five errors in the game which led to four runs.

“I think we did a good job on the mound, but defensively, even on plays without an error, we had some mental mistakes,” Warrenfeltz said. “Zach did a great job and so did Ryan (Boward, who pitched two innings of relief) behind him. We just didn’t give them help.”

Williamsport           0 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1  5  5
North Hagerstown 3 0 2 1 1 0 x — 7  6  0
Lucas, Boward (5) and C. Byers. Root, Yacyk (7) and Williams.
WP — Root (6-0)
LP — Lucas.

HR — T. Byers (4th, none on).

Hubs, Wildcats start season with suspended game

By TIM KOELBLEkoelble@herald-mail.comHM Media 11:43 p.m. EDT, March 22, 2013

Hubs defeat South, 6-4

4/4/13

 

 

Hubs defeat Catoctin, 4-2

April 8, 2013---North Hagerstown remained unbeaten in the MVAL Antietam Conference with a 4-2 win over Catoctin and Cougars ace Alex Kennedy on Monday.

The Hubs (7-0, 5-0) touched Kennedy for a single run in the bottom of the second inning on singles by Zane Schreiber and John Britton and a balk by Kennedy.

North scored three times in the fifth inning on five straight singles, including an RBI single by Andrew Yacyk, and sacrifice fly by Britton.

Britton (3-0) sailed along through five innings before Catoctin tallied single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Catoctin (5-2, 2-2) had the tying runs on base in the seventh with one out before Britton got a bouncer back to the mound and a strikeout to end the game.

North had nine hits, including three by Schreiber and two by Yacyk.

North Hagerstown 4, Catoctin 2
Catoctin    000    001    1    —    2    4    2
North    010    030    x    —    4    9    0
Kennedy, Cool (5) and Johnson. Britton and Williams. WP — Britton (3-0). LP — Kennedy.

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Schreiber, Yacyk lead Hubs past Linganore, 11-1

April 10, 2013 — Zane Schreiber hurled a complete game with 12 strikeouts in six innings as North Hagerstown crushed Linganore (3-4).

Schreiber also contributed at the plate with three hits and a pair of RBIs.

With North (8-0) leading 3-1 entering the third inning, Timmy Hartsock, Mark Grunberg and Matt Daley all walked and scored on Andrew Yacyk’s grand slam, his second round-tripper of the season.

North           1 0 2 4 2 2  —  11  7  2
Linganore    1 0 0 0 0 0  —   1   2   2
Schreiber and Williams. Waxter, Slaughter (4), Hunsberger (5) and Schroeder.
WP — Zane Schreiber (3-0)
LP — Slaughter

HR — NH: Yacyk (4th, three on).

---

 

Hubs rout Boonsboro, 12-1

Hubs make late move to find way to repel Rebels

North Hagerstown defeats Tuscarora, 8-2

FREDERICK, Md. — Austin Stone had two triples and a pair of singles as North Hagerstown improved to 13-0.

Stone led off the second inning with a triple and scored on an error and then drove in Andrew Yacyk, who had doubled, in the third. Stone also had an RBI single in the sixth inning.

Tyler Shindle needed only 83 pitches for a complete-game win as he scattered seven hits and struck out four Titans (2-11).

North    022    102    1    —    8    11    0
Tuscarora    000    002    0    —    2    7    2
Shindle and Williams. Hissey, Masser (4) and Smith. WP — Shindle (2-0). LP — Hissey.

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Hubs rally to beat Leopards after blowing big lead

By BRETT NIEVES - HM Media  / April 26, 2013

Hubs suffer first loss of season

By WILL ROBINSONwill.robinson@herald-mail.comHM Media  11:11 p.m. EDT, May 1, 2013

 

Clear Spring defeats Hubs, 8-6

  

Link: Freshman Mac Stiffler powers Hubs past Williamsport

4/7/21

Link: Hubs slam South, 18-4

4/17/21

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Hubs shutout Williamsport, 16-0

4/18/21

Ryan Talbert had three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs and Jayvon Burnett drove in four runs as the Hubs defeated the Wildcats in five innings Friday.

Cooper Strickland pitched four shutout innings for the win, striking out five.

Mac Stiffler added three hits, including a double, for North (3-1), while Dylan Shoemaker had two hits and three RBIs, Drew Talbert had two hits and two RBIs and C.J. Hart and Luke Frazee each doubled.

Brady Neff had two hits for Williamsport (2-3).

 

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Hubs hold on to defeat Boonsboro, 9-8

4/17/21

BOONSBORO — Jayvon Burnett and Mac Stiffler each had three hits, with Burnett driving in two runs and Stiffler doubling, and the Hubs edged the Warriors on Saturday.

Austin Dent and Luke Frazee had two hits each and C.J. Hart drove in two runs for North (4-1). Brevin Palmer allowed four earned runs over five innings and got the win, striking out three.

Matt Kulikowski hit a home run and a double, driving in four, for Boonsboro (2-2). Cole Rinehart had two hits, Carter Stotelmyer drove in two runs, Jake Neff doubled and Nathan Basford struck out five.

 

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Link: Clear Spring defeats North again, 8-5

5/2/21

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Link: Hubs hammer South Hagerstown, 12-0

4/30/21

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2022 Season

Strickland hurls North past South Hagerstown, 5-1

 April 29, 2022----Hubs junior starting pitcher Lucas Strickland pitched six strong innings, allowing four hits, one walk and only one run, while striking out eight to lead the Hubs to a 5-1 victory over South Hagerstown.

North got things started in the first inning with a Sam Martin walk and a Luke Frazee single. Both players moved up a base with stolen bases, then Alex Clark hit a sacrifice fly to plate Martin after a brief run down. Frazee would also score on the throwback to third base to give the Hubs a 2-0 lead.

South scored their only run in the bottom half as Bryson Hutzell walked, stole second, advanced to third on a fielder choice, then scored on another fielder’s choice.

In the third the Hubs would tack on another run. Alex Clark reached on an error and advanced to second on the overthrow to first base. South starter James Kershner balked to move Clark to third. Hubs cleanup hitter Henry Ortiz stayed out by rapping an RBI-single to left to increase the North lead to 3-1.

Clark got things started again in the fifth by reaching on another error. Ortiz got plunked to put two runners on. Both runners would advance on a wild pitch. Fletcher Lewis brought home Clark with a ground out to second baseman Mikey Witmer. Evan Wray followed with a walk then Camden Mertz grounded out but did his job by bringing home Ortiz.

Strickland stifled every Rebels scoring threat through six innings as he stranded eight runners on base. Freshman Henry Lewis closed out the game in the seventh to seal the North Hagerstown victory.

The Hubs have now won three in a row to improve to (8-10, 5-7), while South falls to (4-11, 2-8). North now leads the all-time series with South (70-62-2) and has won a series record 12 games in row and have outscored the Rebels 135-41 during the streak.

The Red & Black will return to action on Monday with their home finale against Oakdale with a 4:45 PM first pitch.