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235 Days | |
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Northwest HS Jaguars Baseball
2010: Unfinished Business
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Summertime and the Living is Easy
June 23, 2009
Please check this web page for periodic updates during the summer. As soon as the schedule is released in August it will be posted here. We will also post fall league tryout information as soon as it becomes available. Some dates for next spring we aready know: March 1 is the first day of practice, March 27 we will be playing Rockville at home in a regular season game at noon, March 29 is the beginning of Spring Break, May 7 is the first day of playoffs, May 21 is the 4A state championship game and also the NWHS prom, May 25 will be the baseball team party for both the JV and varsity, and May 26 will be the MCPS Senior All Star Game at Blake HS at 6:30 PM. Mark your calendars now and plan ahead!
Congratulations Class of 2009
June 10, 2009
Good luck to Alex, Mick, Steve, Matt, Nick, John, Dom, and John. As you head out to new adventures please remember that you will forever be a part of the Northwest baseball family. Thank you for all of your contributions as well as for the memories and friendships. Please keep in touch.
As for the rest of you: We don't need no stinkin' prom in 2010!
Whitman Nips Jags 2-1 in Regional Semi Finals
May 13, 2009
Despite a gallant effort from senior pitcher Steve Callahan, who needed only 57 pitches in six innings and spread out ten Whitman hits and just two runs, Northwest's eleventh baseball campaign came to a heart breaking end today as the Vikings clipped the Jaguars 2-1 in the 4A West Region semi-finals. The Jaguars finished the rain shortened 2009 season with a 12-4 record, tied for the most wins by a Northwest baseball team in school history.
The Jaguars got on the board in the first inning when junior Chris Rados drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. With two out in the inning, senior Dominique Vattuone doubles to the right center field gap to make the score 1-0 NWHS.
Whitman countered with two runs of their own in their half of the first that would surprisingly finish up the scoring. Northwest had numerous scoring opportunities during the game but could not come up with the big inning. The Jaguars left men on second and/or third in the first, second, and third innings, but could only muster the one first inning run. Callahan for the day worked all six innings, spreading out ten Vikings hits and allowing just the first two runs in the first inning.
Words cannot begin to describe the disappointment we all feel following today's loss. All 21 players and their parents are true champions every day both on and off the field. No coaching staff could ever ask for a better bunch of players and young men (and women, Jordan) then all of you. It is a shame the season is so short and had to end with such a tough loss.
Alex, Mick, Steve, Matt W., Nick L., John D., Dom, and John K.--you are marvelous young gentlemen. I hope you got as much out of NWHS baseball as we got out of your talent and being around you all season. Good luck with your future endeavors. Please do not forget us.
For the rest: We are Northwest. No matter how many people try to rip our school, be proud of the name on the front of your gray jersey.
Our slogan for 2010: "Unfinished Business"
Jaguars Knock Off Defending State Champs to Move to Regional Semi-Finals
May 11, 2009
Northwest used a three run first inning and a clutch two-RBI single by sophomore Jeffrey Ta and excellent pitching from senior Dominique Vattuone to upend visiting Sherwood in the 4A West quarter finals. With the win the Jaguars improve to 12-3 overall and move on to play in the semi-finals at Whitman, a 5-1 winner over visiting Walter Johnson, in their quarter final game.
Junior Chris Rados led off the bottom of the first inning drawing a walk, then junior Nick Karis reached when he was hit by the pitch. Senior Nick Loftus got aboard on a Warrior error to load the bases. Senior John Krahling then received a walk to drive in Rados for a 1-0 lead. Vattuone then flied out to right, scoring Karis and moving Loftus to third. Senior courtesy runner Mick Wallerstedt stole second and Loftus came in to score when the throw to second went into center field.
Sherwood managed a run in the top of the third, but the Jaguars responded with two in the home half of the inning. Loftus singled to center and Krahling reached when he was hit by the pitch. Both moved up ninety feet on Vattuone's fly out to right, a crucial play that set up the next two runs when Ta flaired a two-RBI single to right to round out the Northwest scoring.
Sherwood scored another solo run in the sixth to pull to within 5-2. Vattuone walked the lead off man in the seventh to end his day on the mound. Junior Bobby Donson came in and the Warriors were able to plate the lead off man that reached on a walk, but Donson struck out the last man he faced to earn his first save. Vattuone tied an NWHS record earning his seventh win of the season. He Worked six innings and allowed three runs, all earned, on six hits, walked four, and struck out eight.
Jags to Meet Winner of Sherwood at Magruder on Monday
May 6, 2009
Northwest, who drew a first round bye in the 4A West Region baseball tournament that begins Friday, will open post season play on Monday at home against the winner of the Sherwood at Magruder game on Friday. The complete bracket can be found at www.mpssaa.org. More details to follow...
Donson Hits and Pitches Jags Past Wootton
May 2, 2009
Two weeks ago, junior Bobby Donson was at a low point in his Northwest baseball season. After being benched for a couple of games, Donson has bounced back, and today provided a big boost to the Jaguars hopes for earning a first-round playoff bye with a breakout pitching and hitting performance in leading Northwest to an 11-8 road win at Wootton. The victory now gives NWHS an 11-3 record for the season and another win against a quality 4A opponent.
Northwest jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first. Juniors Chris Rados and Nick Karis, both fresh off of taking the SAT's, drew walks and then the Jaguars followed that with four consecutive singles off the bats of senior Nick Loftus, senior John Krahling, Donson, and sophomore Jeffrey Ta. With one out junior Andrew Marshall laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to give the Jags a 5-0 lead.
Wootton scored one run in the bottom of the first and then tacked on four more in the second to tie the score. The Patriots then tallied twice in the third to go up 7-5. The Jaguars then took the lead for good in the fifth inning with two outs. Loftus singled sharply to left and Krahling was hit by the pitch. That paved the way for Donson's first career home run, a three run shot to left that gave NWHS an 8-7 lead.
The Jaguars sent nine men to the plate in the sixth in building an 11-7 lead. Senior John DiNardo reached on an infield single to start the inning and moved to second on senior Alex Pyser's flair to left. Rados then reached on a single to score DiNardo, and Karis singled up the middle to load the bases. Loftus then worked an RBI on a walk. With two outs, Donson followed up his home run with a 50 foot single toward short that scored Rados from third.
Wootton would manage a solo home run in the sixth, but that would prove to be the game's final run. Donson ended up working the final four and one-third innings, allowing one run and one hit and walking only one. Donson retired 13 of the 15 men he faced in picking up the victory.
The Jaguars can clinch a first round playoff bye with a win on Monday at home on Senior Day against Clarksburg. Game time is 5:15.
Mistakes on Schedule and Calendar for Upcoming Week
May 1, 2009
Here is the up-to-date official schedule for NWHS baseball for the upcoming week:
Monday, May 4: Varsity hosts Clarksburg at 5:15. It is Senior Day. Parents of seniors are asked to arrive to the baseball field by 5:00. The JV wraps up its season at Clarksburg at 3:30.
Tuesday, May 5: JV meeting in Room 102 at 11:10. Varsity hit-a-thon and practice after school.
Wednesday, May 6: Playoff draw at 10:30 AM. Varsity plays at Rockville at 5:15 provided Rockville is re-opened by then.
Thursday, May 7: Practice after school.
Friday, May 8: First playoff game if no bye. The game will be a home. If we have a bye there will be no game or practice. Enjoy the prom.
Saturday, May 9: Practice at 3:00 until 5:30.
Sorry for the errors in the schedule.
Jags Finish 6 Games in 7 Days with Comeback Win over Blair
April 29, 2009
The bullpen was tired. The warm weather had given way to cool rainy skies. And every ball Northwest hit hard through six innings seemed to go right at a Blair defender. "Atom balls," because you crush the ball but you hit it right "at them." Despite falling behind 2-1 in the top of the seventh inning, Northwest used a pair of walks and a pair of soft hits to score twice and defeat visiting Blair 3-2. The Jaguars are now 10-3 on the season and continue to cling to the third playoff seed for the post season that begins on May 8.
The Jags went up 1-0 in the fifth when junior Andrew Marshall drew the second of his three walks. Senior Alex Pyser then blooped a single to left and junior Chris Rados reached on a "swinging bunt." Junior Nick Karis then lined a pitch to center, scoring Marshall on the sacrifice fly.
Blair tied the game in the sixth with a single run and went up 2-1 in the seventh with back-to-back singles to start the inning and a one out sacrifice fly. The bottom third of the order would come through for Northwest, however, in the bottom of the seventh. Senior John DiNardo and Marshall drew walks to start the inning and Pyser reached on a soft single. Rados then hit the ball hard past the shortstop of the drawn up Blair infield, scoring DiNardo and Marshall with the tying and winning runs.
Junior starter Brandon Baker was excellent, working on short rest since starting Saturday against Walter Johnson. Baker worked five scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and striking out five. He certainly worked well enough to win, but that would go to releiver Karis, who worked the final two innings for the win.
The Jaguars finished the six games in seven days clip with a 4-2 mark and now have two days to practice and rest to get ready for a huge game with Wootton on Saturday at Wootton at 2:30. The Patriots are tied for first in the 4A West Region heading into the final week of the regular season, but Wootton has the tiebreaker with Quince Orchard by virture of Wootton's win over QO. The Jaguars stand third, tied with Whitman, but have the tiebreaker currently since NWHS beat the Vikings. Sherwood is lurking with just four losses, but the Jags have the tiebreaker with Sherwood as well.
Note: Seniors Mick Wallertedt and Dominique Vattuone missed the Blair game due to illness.
Back on Track with an 8-6 Win at RM
April 28, 2009
Gritty, not pretty. That seems to be the pattern for NWHS baseball team of late as the Jaguars scored twice in the sixth and hung on for an 8-6 win at Richard Montgomery in Rockville. Despite not having his best stuff and battling an oncoming virus, senior Dominique Vattuone got the win for his sixth of the season. The Jaguars improved to 9-3 overall for the season.
The good guys went up 1-0 in the first when junior Chris Rados reached on an error and went to second on a single by senior Nick Loftus. With two outs senior John Krahling singled to right to score Rados, pushing Loftus around to third. Loftus then came in on an RM balk to make it 2-0. Loftus tripled in the third to bring in Rados who had singled earlier in the inning to put NWHS up 3-0.
The Rockets made the first of two comebacks, scoring four times in the third to go up 4-3. Northwest managed to score three times in the fifth to regain the lead at 6-4. Loftus reached on a one-out single, his third hit of the game, thensdd scored on Vattuone's triple to deep center. Krahling then drove in Vattuone when the NWHS catcher reached on an error. Senior Steve Callahan, running for Krahling, scored on senior John DiNardo's flair to left to put the Jags up by two.
RM quickly tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, but Northwest was able to go back ahead when Rados and junior Nick Karis drew walks to lead off the inning and scored when Vattuone reached on an error and Krahling singled to left. Karis came in to pitch with two outs in the sixth and retired the last four men he faced after walking his first batter.
Horrible Inning Does in Jaguars Against Seneca Valley
April 27, 2009
One bad inning. That is all it takes. Visiting Seneca Valley started the fifth inning with three flair hits, but before all was said and done, the Screaming Eagles scored nine times on eight hits in the inning and went on to a 12-5 win over the home-standing Jaguars. With the loss Northwest dropped to 8-3 on the season.
Thanks to a solo home run and four walks, Seneca Valley jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second. Northwest was able to get on the board in the second when senior Dominique Vattuone singled and then went around to third when junior Bobby Donson reached on an error. Senior John DiNardo walked to load the bases and senior Alex Pyser was hit by the pitch to force in Vattuone. Junior Chris Rados then followed up a with a single to score Donson to make the score 3-2. The Jaguars tied the game at 3-3 in the third when Donson doubled home sophomore Jeffrey Ta who walked a batter earlier..
The Jaguars took the lead in the fourth on an RBI double by senior Nick Loftus and a suicide squeeze play from senior John Krahling that plated junior Nick Karis.
Then came the Seneca fifth. Enough said. Sophomore Austin Steele pitched two and one-third scoreless innings to close out the game.
Jaguars Pound Out 8-6 Win Over Visiting WJ
April 25, 2009
Call it Top 40 baseball because in two-and-a-half hours the hits just kept on coming. For those not old enough to understand the old radio reference, Northwest and Walter Johnson combined for 29 hits in a wild 8-6 win in Germantown, allowing the Jaguars to improve their record to 8-2 on the season.
The Jaguars jumped up 1-0 in the home half of the first when junior Nick Karis doubled and senior Nick Loftus singled to left to drive in Karis. After WJ tied the score in the top of the second, Northwest tallied three times in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Nick Pak singled to right, then with two outs senior Alex Pyser drew a walk. Junior Chris Rados then smashed a triple to deep center to plate senior courtesy runner Steve Callahan and Pyser. Karis then reached on an infield single and Loftus again singled to left to drive in Rados with the fourth run.
WJ came right back in the third with three runs to tie the game. The score remained 4-4 until the sixth inning when the Wildcats took the lead 5-4 in the top of the inning. Northwest bounced right back with another big inning, scoring four times in the sixth. Senior John DiNardo led off with a walk and moved to second on a bad pick off throw by WJ. Pyser hit the ball to the right side moving DiNardo to third, then DiNardo scored on Rados's second hit of the day, this one a single to center. Karis then singled to right for his fourth hit in four at bats putting men on first and second. Loftus then doubled to left, his third hit of the game, to score Rados and move Karis to third. Senior Dominique Vattuone then flied to left to drive in Karis, and senior John Krahling singled for the second time, driving home Loftus.
WJ sent seven men to the plate in the top of the ninth before Loftus, who came in to close the game, could wiggle out of trouble allowing only one run. Junior Brandon Baker started for the Jaguars. Junior Bobby Donson was very effective in relief pitching two-and-a-third scoreless innings in his longest outing as a Jag. Karis earned the win working the sixth and Loftus notched the save.
The Jaguars continue their six games in seven days run on Monday when the host cross-town rival Seneca Valley at 3:30.
Magruder Nips Jaguars 5-4 in Completion of Suspended Game
April 24, 2009
Magruder suicided in the man they had on third base when the game was suspended on Tuesday and scratched across another unearned run and held the Jaguars to just one hit on the second day of the game to knock off Northwest 5-4 in a game completed at Magruder. The loss drops Northwest to 7-2 on the season.
When the game was stopped on Tuesday the score was tied at 3-3 with one out in the bottom of the third and a Colonel on third base. When the game resumed Magruder squeezed in the runner from third to go up 4-3. The Colonels added an insurnace run in the fourth. After back-t--back singles put men on first and second, the Jaguars botched a pick off play at first base allowing the Colonel runner to score all the way from second. Jaguars senior pitcher Steve Callahan retired the last eight men he faced including recording three strike outs.
The Jaguars pulled to within one in the sixth. Sophomore Jeffrey Ta drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second by junior Andrew Marshall. Ta then stole third and came in on a perfect suicide squeeze by senior John DiNardo. Even though the top of the order came up to start the seventh, the Jaguars were retired in order to end the game.
Callahan held Magruder to only four hits and no earned runs, but a season-high six errors committed by NWHS led to its demise. Northwest was also held to only six hits, five singles and a Chris Rados double in the third.
Northwest looks to get back on the winning track tomrrow when the Jaguars host Walter Johnson at 1:30. In a special Saturday double header, the JV plays WJ at home at 10:00.
Jaguars Hold Off Pesky Gaithersburg 7-5 for 100th Win in NWHS History
April 23, 2009
Senior Dominique Vattuone allowed just one earned run and struck out ten and also slammed a two-run home run leading Northwest to a 7-5 win at Gaithersburg for the 100th win in the history of the Northwest baseball program. With the win the Jaguars improved to 7-1 on the season.
Northwest jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second when senior courtesy runner Steve Callahan, who was running for senior John Krahling who had reached on a fielder's choice, came in to score on a single by senior John DiNardo. The Jags tacked on a two-out run in the third when junior Nick Karis doubled and scored when senior Nick Loftus reached on an error.
After Gaithersburg cut the Jaguars lead in half in the fourth, the Jags bounced back with another two-out run in the fifth. Junior Chris Rados doubled to left and scored on two wild pitches to give Northwest a 3-1 lead.
The bottom three in the Trojans order all scored unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth to give Gaithersburg a short-lived 4-3 lead. Northwest rallied quickly, however, when Loftus doubled to start the sixth and Vattuone followed with a home run to left, putting the Jaguars back up 5-4. The Jags scored twice in the seventh thanks to walks and errors by the home team and could have scored more, but they could not score another run despite having the bases loaded with only one out.
The bottom of the seventh started out stress-free when Vattuone struck out the first two batters. The Trojans followed with a single then reached on a dropped fly ball that should have ended the game. Instead another base hit made the score 7-5 and put the winning run at the plate. Vattuone got the final out when the batter grounded out to Loftus at third to end the game.
Northwest returns to action on Friday when the Jaguars travel to Magruder to finish the suspended game from Tuesday that is tied 3-3 in the bottom of the third.
Jaguars and Magruder Suspended in Third Inning Tied 3-3
April 21, 2009
The ball bucket was left in the locker room. The team made four errors in three innings, with three of them coming in one inning. The defense botched a run down play and a bunt defense. And of course, playing just once in 19 days did not help matters. Still through it all and dodging the rain and thunderstorms, Northwest and Magruder are tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the third inning in a game suspended due to rain. The game will resume at 3:30 on Friday at Magruder. Senior Steve Callahan has been solid on the mound, and junior Nick Karis, junior Chris Rados, senior Nick Loftus, senior Dom Vattuone and senior John Krahling all had key hits for the Jags. Come out on Friday to see if the Jaguars are able to find the stellar defense that they seemed to have misplaced since Spring Break.
The next varsity game is Thursday at Gaithersburg at 3:30 in a make up game that was rained out this past Monday.
Jaguars Hold on to Top Whitman 6-4
April 17, 2009
Northwest used a four-run fifth inning and solid pitching from senior Dominique Vattuone in knocking off Whitman 6-4 at NWHS. With the victory the Jaguars improved to 6-1 overall while the Vikings fell to 5-2.
After a two week layoff for Spring Break and heavy rain the Jaguars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Vattuone's two-out double that scored sophomore Jeffrey Ta, who had reached on a walk, and senior Nick Loftus, who reached on the first of his three hits.
The Vikings bounced back with an unearned run in the third and another run in the fourth, and combined with several blown opportunities for the Jaguars, tied the game at 2-2 after four innings. The Jaguars exploded for four runs in the home half of the fifth. With one out Ta, who moved to catcher in the top of the inning due to a mild injury to starting senior catcher John Krahling, walked and then scored when Loftus smashed his second homer of the year to make it 4-2. Junior second baseman Brandon Baker then singled and Vattuone walked. Both moved to second and third on wild pitches and then scored when junior pinch hitter Nick Karis singled to center two plate both runners and give the Jags a 6-2 advantage. NWHS managed to load the bases in the sixth with one out, but the Jaguars were unable to scratch across a run.
Whitman made the game interesting in the seventh. With one out the Vikings strung together a single, a walk and an infield single, chasing Vattuone from the mound. Sophomore reliever Nick Pak walked the next man to make it a 6-3 game. Then the next batter singled to center to make the score 6-4, but Karis, who was now playing centerfield made a perfect throw to the plate to gun down the would-be fifth run. Senior Steve Callahan then needed just four pitches to strike out the lone man he faced to end the game and give Callahan the save.
More coverage of the game can be found in the Germantown Gazette, www.gazette.net, The Sentinel, and DigitalSports.com. Northwest returns to action on Monday at Gaithersburg at 3:30.
Jaguars Top Defending State Champs 7-1
April 2, 2009
Northwest used a four run third inning to grab the lead and went on to a 7-1 victory at Sherwood. The win improved the Jaguars record to 5-1 going into Spring Break, tied for first place in the 4A West Region. Senior Dominique Vattuone pitched a complete game on just 76 pitches, allowing just the one run on six hits while striking out seven without walking a man.
Sherwood jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first, but the Jaguars were able to take the lead for good in the top of the third, scoring four runs, all with two outs. Senior Alex Pyser doubled to right-center field and junior Chris Rados reached on a walk. Sophomore Jeffrey Ta then blasted a double to left to score Pyser and Rados and give the Jaguars the lead. Senior Nick Loftus then drew a walk and senior John Krahling followed with a double to right center to drive in Ta and Loftus and give Northwest a 4-1 lead.
The Jaguars tacked on a run in the fifth when Rados reached on a one-out single and moved to second on an error by a Sherwood outfielder. Rados then moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an errant pick off attempt at first against Ta, who had reached on a walk. A four-hit sixth inning closed out the scoring for NWHS. With one away junior Bobby Donson doubled to left and sophomore Nick Pak singled to right to give the Jaguars runners at first and third with one out. After just barely fouling off a suicide attempt, senior John DiNardo singled to left to drive in Donson and move Pak to second. With two outs Rados doubled down the third base line, chasing home Pak with the game's final run.
More coverage of the game can be found at www.digitalsports.com. After Spring Break the Jaguars return to action at Richard Montgomery on Wednesday, April 15 at 3:30. The Rockets are off to a 3-1 start on the season.
Jaguars Blow Lead but Bounce Back to Top Churchill in Extra Innings
April 1, 2009
Junior Brandon Baker worked 6 and one-third innings without allowing an earned run and senior Nick Loftus homered and drove in the winning run as Northwest came from behind to beat visiting Churchill 7-6 in 8 innings. With the win the Jaguars improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in division play.
Churchill went up 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning with an unearned run brought about by two Jaguars errors. Northwest, however, bounced back with its best hitting inning of the young season, scoring five times on five hits to go up 5-1. With one out, senior pinch hitter Mick Wallerstedt reached on a walk. Senior Steve Callahan then re-entered the game and stole second. Then with two men out junior Chris Rados doubled to center to score Callahan and tie the game. Rados stole second and came home on sophomore Jeffrey Ta's double to left. Senior Nick Loftus then launched the Jaguars first home run of the year, a shot to left that plated Ta ahead of him and put Northwest up 4-1. After a pitching change Krahling singled to left then senior Dominique Vattuone doubled to left to make it 5-1 Jaguars.
Neither team could scratch across a run in the sixth although Northwest left a man on third to end the inning. Then, uncharacteristically for this season, the Jaguars committed a pair of costly errors and the Bulldogs got two timely triples to score five times and take a 6-5 lead. Northwest rallied to tie the game in the home half of the seventh inning when Loftus walked, stole second, then Vattuone was intentionally walked setting the stage for junior Bobby Donson's game tying single to center.
Sophomore Nick Pak came in to work the eighth inning and retired three, allowing only one walk. It would prove to be good enough to earn the win as senior Alex Pyser singled with one out, Rados singled and Ta walked to load the bases. After a long battle, Loftus finally singled to left to score Pyser with the winning run.
Up next for Northwest, the defending state champion Sherwood Warriors, on the road tomorrow at 3:00 (please note the special start time).
The Drought Continues: Quince Orchard Tops Jaguars 5-2
March 30, 2009
Quince Orchard played virtually mistake-free baseball and took advantages of several Northwest miscues en route to a 5-2 win over the Jaguars at Quince Orchard. The loss was the first of the year for the Jags, and drops Northwest's record to 3-1 and 0-1 in division play.
Northwest fell behind 2-0 before finally scoring in the top of the fifth. Senior Mick Wallerstedt walked and junior pinch runner Andrew Marshall moved to second on a balk. Then with one out senior Alex Pyser singled to center to score Marshall. QO, however, scored two more in the home half of the fifth to go up 4-1.
The Jags got their second run in the sixth. Senior Nick Loftus singled to center and later in the inning scored from third on a wild pitch. The Cougars added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to round out the scoring.
"Good teams take advantage of their opportunites and make very few mistakes, which is what QO did today," commented Northwest coach Matt Noble following the game. "Conversely, we continue to do little things to kill us, both in the field and on offense. You can get away with those mistakes against some teams, but not against a team like QO." The Jaguars left nine men on base and were just 2 for 9 with men in scoring position.
Northwest returns to action on Wednesday with a make-up game against Churchill at home at 3:30, then travels to Sherwood for a 3:00 (yes, 3:00) start at the defending state champs to round out the schedule before Spring Break.
Jaguars Come Back to Top Bengals 5-3, Improve to 3-0
March 27, 2009
Solid pitching and timely hitting propelled Northwest to a 5-3 win over visiting Blake on Friday afternoon in a game that was origially scheduled for Thursday but postponed due to rain. The win improves the Jaguars' record to 3-0 on the young season while Blake falls to 1-3.
Blake went up 2-0 in the top of the first, but Northwest bounced back in the home half of the second with three runs of its own. Junior Bobby Donson led off with a walk and senior Mick Wallerstedt singled to center. Senior John DiNardo singled to left to plate Donson and move Wallerstedt to third. Donson then stole second, setting up junior Chris Rados's two-RBI single to left field to put NWHS ahead to stay at 3-2. The Jaguars tacked on run number four in the third. Senior Nick Loftus singled to left and moved around to third on senior John Krahling's single to right field. Loftus then stole home and junior courtesy runner Andrew Marshall stole second on a missed suicide bunt attempt that was so low it hit the dirt.
Run number five came in during the sixth inning when sophomore Jeffrey Ta scored on senior Dominique Vattuone's single to center. Vattuone now has seven RBI's in the first three games of the season.
Vattuone was also the starting and winning pitcher, improving to 2-0 after working five innings and allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking only two. Senior Steve Callahan worked a solid inning out of the bull pen, and Loftus came on to earn his first career save, working the seventh inning.
Northwest returns to action Saturday afternoon, hosting Churchill at 1:30.
Callahan and Baker Combine to No-Hit Watkins Mill
March 24, 2009
Senior Steve Callahan worked three innings of no-hit ball and struck out six and junior Brandon Baker came in and worked two no-hit innings and struck out four as Northwest blanked Watkins Mill 14-0 in a game shortened to five innings due to the ten-run rule. With the win the Jaguars improve to 2-0 on the season, having scored 25 runs while allowing just one.
NWHS was one out away from the first perfect game in school history when an error with two-outs in the bottom of the fifth allowed Watkins Mill to finally have a runner reach first. He was quickly thrown out trying to steal by catcher sophomore Nick Pak to end the game.
The Jaguars jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Junior Chris Rados reached on an error and stole second. Junior John DiNardo, who had come in to run for Rados, later scored on a single to center by senior Nick Loftus. Sophomore Jeffrey Ta, who had reached on a walk, came in to score on a double steal when Loftus stole second and Ta swiped home. Later in the inning, junior Bobby Donson doubled to left to plate senior Dominique Vattuone who had reached on a fielder's choice and stole second.
Three more runs scored for the Jags in the top of the second when Vattuone tripled with the bases loaded to make it 6-0. The Jaguars put two more up in the third when senior Mick Wallerstedt drew the second of his three walks, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on junior Andrew Marshall's single to left. Marshall later came in to score on Ta's single to left to make it 8-0.
NWHS rounded out the scoring with six runs in the top of the third. The Jaguars got a no-out bases-loaded single from senior Alex Pyser to score Donson and Wallerstedt who had reached on walks. Singles by DiNardo, Pak, junior Nick Sutton and Wallerstedt contributed to the uprising.
Northwest returns home on Thursday to host Blake at 3:30.
Jaguars Open Season with 11-1 Win over Visiting Springbrook
March 20, 2009
Northwest exploded for five runs in the third inning and tacked on three more in each of the following two innings in route to an 11-1 win over visiting Springbrook on opening day of the 2009 season for both teams. The game was called in the home half of the fifth due to the 10-run rule.
The Jaguars broke open the scoreless game in the bottom of the third when senior shortstop Adam Pyser doubled to center and moved to third on an error. Pyser then scored on junior Chris Rados's single to right before Rados was thrown out at second trying to stretch his single into a double. Sophomore Jeffrey Ta got the rally going again when he reached on an error. Senior Nick Loftus, a transfer from Poolesville, singled and senior John Krahling walked to load the bases. Ta scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 and the others moved up 90 feet. Junior Bobby Donson hit a shot that was misplayed by the Falcons infield allowing run number three to score. Senior Mick Wallerstedt then doubled to right to plate two more runs and put the Jags up 5-0 after three innings.
Ta led off the home fourth with a double to deep center that was misplayed, allowing Ta to move to third. Loftus was hit by the pitch and stole second. Then with one out senior Dominiqe Vattuone was called on to suicide. The pitch was away and in the dirt. Vattuone did a great job of going after the pitch, allowing Ta to score with a stole base even though Vattuone did not make contact. Vattuone singled home the baserunner to make it 7-1 and later came around to score on a wild pitch to give the Jaguars an 8-1 lead after four.
Northwest only needed one out in the fifth to put the game away. Rados led off the inning with a bunt single and move to second then third on wild pitches. He scored on Ta's grounder to short. Krahling then doubled to put men on seond and third, and Vattuone ended the proceedings with a single to left, plating Ta and Krahling.
Overall, Vattoune went 3 for 4 overall with three RBI's and a pair of runs. He was equally effective on the mound. He allowed just one run on three hits and struck out eight in four innings of work, picking up his first NWHS win of his career. Bobby Donson pitched a scoreless fifth to seal the win.
The 1-0 Jaguars return to action Tuesday when they visit Watkins Mill at 3:30.
NWHS Senior Develops Sports Nutrition Web Site
March 15, 2009
Senior shortstop Alex Pyser needed a project to complete the requirements for the NWHS Signature Program, a rigorus academic program for outstanding students. He decided to blend in his love for athletics along with his and him family's joy for cooking (or should we say, eating?) by researching nutrition and food and its effects on athletes. At the January Ulysses Fair, Alex presented his findings, which he has also shared on a web page he developed at www.abiteforsuccess.com. (You can access the page by clicking on Links of the left).
Pyser explains what athletes should be eating and drinking to achieve maximum performance during contests. He also has several recipes for snacks and smoothies. Fair attendees were able to taste samples of the snacks, which proved to be quite popular.
Visit Alex's web page for tips on how to maximize your performance this year through proper nutrition. Great job Alex!
Updated Scriimmage Schedule
March 6, 2009
The scrimmages for Saturday, March 7 against Rockville will now BOTH be held at NWHS. The varsity will scrimmage at 11:00 and the JV at 1:30. Players should arrive an hour early for their scrimmage.
The scrimmages for Thursday, March 12 will now be played at the opposite sites of the original schedule. The varsity will be at Poolesville and the JV will be at home. Both will start at 3:30.
The scrimmages for Monday and Tuesday remain as scheduled. The varsity will be home both days and the JV away, all at 3:30. Gaithersburg is the opponent on Monday and Walter Johnson on Tuesday. The JV scrimmage against WJ will be played at the old Woodward HS, now Tilden Middle School, on Old Georgetown Road.
Eleventh Jaguars Season Opens with Terrific Workouts
March 1, 2009
Coming off of a disappointing 7-13 season, the 2009 version of the Jaguars baseball program opened with a terrific day of practice under clear, albeit cold, skies in Germantown. The varsity began the day at 9:30 AM implementing a new dynamic stretching program and doing long toss. That was followed with half hour sessions of outfield work, infield work, base running and on-field hitting, and pitching. Players also rotated through batting cages and outdoor hitting stations each 30 minutes.
Players new to the program arrived at 11 AM in their quest for earning a spot in the NWHS baseball program. Players were put through a "combine style" workout so they could be evaluated fielding, throwing, running, and hitting. After a quick lunch break for the coaches, the returning players returned for an afternoon scrimmage with the JUGS machine handling pitching duties.
Spirits were high and the level of play was outstanding for an opening practice. The returning players did a great job of transfering what they have learned in previous seasons and in the summer and fall leagues to the field at Northwest.
After a mandatory off day on Sunday, practice was set to resume on Monday, but a rare, late winter snowstorm dropped over five inches of snow on Germantown, closing schools and cancelling practice for the day. Practice is schedule to resume, now indoors, on Tuesday. The scrimmage against defending state champion Sherwood on Thursday has been cancelled. Both the JV and varsity are slated to open their scrimmage schedule now on Saturday against Rockville at 11 AM. The varsity will be away and the JV will be at NWHS.
Conditioning Starts on February 11
February 3, 2009
Pre-season baseball conditioning will begin on Wednesday, February 11 at 2:30. Players should meet in Room 102 by 2:25. Please be prepared to workout either inside or outside. You will need running shoes (no spikes), shorts, sweats, and a t-shirt. The workout will consist of stretching, agility drills, and distance running. The first workout will be over at 3:30 and following workouts will be over at 3:15.
Pre-season conditioning is open to any boy that is trying out for baseball at NWHS including boys that did not play for NWHW last year. These sessions are not mandatory but are highly recommended.
Conditioning dates are as follows: February 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, and 26.
For more information, see Coach Noble in Room 102.
Legion Baseball Meeting on January 28
January 17, 2009
Players interested in playing for the Post 295 American Legion baseball team or the Post 295 Junior American Legion team are asked to attend an organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 PM in Room 102 of Northwest High School. Gentlemen that live in the Northwest, Quince Orchard and Seneca Valley clusters are allowed to play for the Post 295 teams. Coaches Rick Price and Steve Cononie will conduct the meeting. For more information, please contact Coach Cononie at scthedeerbuster@aol.com. Also, the NWHS wrestling team wrestles at 6:00 at home that evening. Come up early and support Coach Vuckovich's team.
New Date For New Player Meeting
October 24, 2008
All gentlemen at Northwest that would like to try out for JV or varsity baseball that DID NOT play for Northwest in the 2008 season are invited to attend an information meeting on Wednesday, October 29 in Room 102. The meeting will begin at 11:10 if we are on a regular bell schedule. The meeting will last the entire lunch period, so please bring your lunch to the meeting.
At the meeting we will pass out all necessary forms that must be completed by the first day of practice on February 28. We will also pass out a calendar for the season as well as schedules. Other information will include eligibility requirements, expectations for team memebers both on and off the field, and the standards that will be used to grade you during try outs.
Please make every effort to attend this meeting. If you miss this meeting, please see Mr. Noble in Room 102 the day after the meeting to pick up necessary information. If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by Room 102 before school or during lunch for more information.
NWHS Fall Baseball for incoming Freshmen
July 27, 2008
All incoming freshmen to Northwest HS that are interested in playing baseball for NWHS in the spring are invited to try out for the MCBA Fall Baseball team on August 19, 20, and 21 at South Germantown at 5 PM. The Germantown Jaguars will be playing in the MCBA Fall league under coach Steve Cononie. For more information about this team, players (not parents, you are in high school now)should email Coach Cononie at scthedeerbuster@aol.com.
Please note: You will NOT have time to play on the fall team if you are playing a fall sport for NWHS. We encourage you to try out for the fall team if your schedule permits. Playing or not playing in the fall does not determine if you will play for NWHS in the spring. NWHS baseball tryouts will take place beginning Saturday, February 28, 2009.
2009 Schedule Announced
August 4, 2008
The 2009 Northwest varsity baseball schedule features eight home games including one against rival Seneca Valley, and eight on the road featuring trips to Quince Orchard, defending state champion Sherwood, and to Gaithersburg. The eleventh Jaguars season will open on Friday, March 20 at home against Springbrook.
Six games take place in 2009 before Spring Break. After hosting the Blue Devils, NWHS will visit Watkins Mill before returning home to play back-to-back home games with Blake and Churchill. The pre-Spring Break schedule concludes with road games at Quince Orchard and Sherwood.
After the break the Jaguars return to action with three out of the next four on the road. After traveling to Richard Montgomery, the Jags will host Whitman, followed by away games at Gaithersburg and Magruder. Northwest rounds out April with three straight at home, against Walter Johnson, Seneca Valley, and Blair respectively.
May starts with a Saturday tilt at Wootton at the special time of 2:30 to accommodate SAT takers that morning. Senior Day will be held on May 4 when Clarksburg visits NWHS, and the regular season concludes at Rockville on May 6. The 4A West regional playoffs will kickoff on May 8 and conclude on May 15. The state semi-finals will take place on May 19 with the state 4A title game following on May 22.
The MCPS season will wrap up with the annual all star game for seniors on May 26 at Blake High School. For a complete schedule, please click on the Schedules link to the left of this page.
What Happened to 2008?
June 17, 2008
You may have noticed that the write-ups about last year's games plus other news from last year is now missing from this page. All of the information from 2008 can be found under 2008 Archive. Click on the link to the left to read about the season.
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