Sports Beat column - June 5, 2008

Sports Beat

June 5, 2008

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Ballroom Boxing held a great event at Michael?s 8th Avenue last week and as usual Mike and Scott Wagner put together an event that had the fans cheering throughout the night. Before a capacity crowd that included veterans of the Iraq Warrior who are recovering from their war wounds at Walter Reed hospital in D.C. Baltimore Oriole stars Luke Scott and Garrett Olson, former Baltimore Colts Hall of Famer Lenny Moore, State Delegates Craig Rice and Nat Oaks were in attendance. MC announcer Pat O'Malley did his usual super job. The favorite song of those in attendance ?Proud to be an American?was sung by the crowd. Scott and Mike Wagner put on a great show and the fans can hardly wait for ?Ballroom Boxing?to return in September. Now to the boxing: in the main event Mike Paschall won his toughest fight yet in an eight round unanimous decision over Larry ?The Lazer?Marks ( 29-10-1 ). Paschall is now 17-0-1 and looks ready to make a move up. In another top fight unbeaten Carney Bowman (10-0-0) took a unanimous decision from Edward Valdez ( 3-5-2 ) in a six rounder.

Other Results:
Harvey Jolly TKO'ed Jonathan Felton at 1:14 of the first round. Seth Mitchell, ex-Michigan State football player from Brandywine , MD , scored a second round TKO at 1:23 over Alexis DeLaCruz Medirra. Mitchell looks like a real comer. Kevin Johnson recorded a fourth round (20 seconds) TKO over Danny Kisner (he looked like a ?before?for a Nutra System ad). William Jeter sent Calvin Aughtry away with a third round TKO at 2:02 . It was a great show!

I must mention that Maryland has some great referees in Ken Chevalier, John Gradowski, Malik Waleed and Gary Camponeschi. If you want the scoop on boxing in the Baltimore/DC area go to www.boxingalongthebeltway.blogspot.com, its Gary ?Digital?Williams outstanding web site.

ORIOLES BATTLING YANKEES

The Baltimore Orioles are battling the New York Yankees, not for first place in the East but to stay out of last place. I really like the Orioles outfield of Luke Scott, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis; I think they can be solid for the next ten years. As for the other positions Roberts and Mora are so-so at second and third, they don?t have a major league first baseman, shortstop or catcher. Pitching wise they have some arms that could prove solid in the next few years. I like Daniel Cabrera, Garrett Olson and Adam Lowen (if he?s ready) make solid starters. George Sherrill has become one of the best, if not the best closer in the American League. I think Jim Johnson could start. Albers, Comier, Walker , Sarfate, and Trachsel along with Bradford are solid relievers. Bradford is a throw back to side-armers like Dick Hyde (former Senators pitcher of a by gone era). The Nats suffered a blow with Ryan Zimmerman going on the DL.

Aeros Fly Past Falling Baysox

The Akron Aeros slipped past the Bowie Baysox 5-4 in an ugly game at Canal Park Friday night. Bowie got another solid outing from starter Chris Tillman, but bad defense and poor base running let them down when it counted. Akron starter Kevin Dixon also pitched well, collecting a season-high nine strikeouts. The Aeros opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when leadoff hitter Trevor Crowe drew a walk and stole second base. Crowe advanced to third on a fly ball to center, and catcher Chris Gimenez doubled him home. The Baysox were able to answer back in the top of the third. Carlos Rojas led things off with a walk. Blake Davis and Jonathan Tucker each followed with singles to load the bases. Mike Rodriguez grounded into a double play, but Rojas came in to score. With Lou Montanez at the plate, Dixon threw a wild pitch allowing Jonathan Tucker to move into scoring position. Montanez was able to reach on a fielding error by third baseman Wes Hodges which brought Tucker in to score and put Bowie on top 2-1. Nolan Reimold led off the top of the fourth inning with a line drive home run to center field, his second home run in two games. The solo shot increased the Baysox lead to 3-1. Things began to get sloppy for the Bowie defense in the bottom of the fifth. Akron center fielder Jose Constanza led off with a base hit up the middle. Baysox center fielder Mike Rodriguez bobbled the ball slightly and the speedy Constanza took second base on the error. Tillman was able to get Crowe to strike out looking, but Josh Rodriguez, up next, lined an RBI double to right field to cut the Baysox lead to one.

The Aeros struck again as Jason Burch came in to pitch the sixth inning for the Baysox. Right fielder Bronson Sardinha led off with a double into right field. Burch got Matt Whitney to strike out for out number one. Catcher Brian Peterson let the next pitch get by him for a passed ball, allowing the runner to advance to third. Stephen Head drove him in with a sacrifice fly to left field. Next up, Brandon Pinckney reached on a throwing error by Jeff Nettles and Constanza followed with a single. With runners on first and second, Burch threw a pitch in the dirt and catcher Brian Peterson gathered it and threw to third base, but the runners were not going. Peterson?s throw was off line and Pinckney came in to score and put Akron in front, 4-3. Jeff Stevens came in to pitch for Akron in the seventh inning. He dominated the Bowie lineup, pitching two innings and striking out five Baysox to carry the Akron lead into the final frame. Akron closer Randy Newsom came in to try to shut down the Baysox in the ninth. Sebastien Boucher, hitting for Brian Peterson, led off with a double. Boucher advanced to third on a ground out and Blake Davis brought him in with a triple to right field, tying the game. The Baysox could not take further advantage and left two men on base. Rommie Lewis came in to pitch for Burch in the eighth and remained in the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Trevor Crowe led off with a double to left field. Lewis walked Josh Rodriguez intentionally, and then hit Chris Gimenez in the foot to load the bases with no outs. Lewis then struck out Wes Hodges. With one out, Sardinha hit a ground ball to Jonathan Tucker at second who could not handle it and Crowe came across to score the winning run on the fourth Baysox error of the game.

Aeros Pitching Baffles Baysox

Aeros starting pitcher David Huff went 6.2 innings and struck out seven on the way to his fifth win of the year as Akron edged the Baysox, 3-1 on Saturday. The Aeros scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and that would be more than enough for Huff and the Akron bullpen. Aeros pitchers struck out twelve Baysox and gave up one run on only four hits, handing Bowie its sixth straight loss. With one out in the bottom of the first, Akron shortstop Josh Rodriguez singled to right field. Chris Gimenez followed with a walk and both runners advanced on a ground out to first by third baseman Wes Hodges. Next up, right fielder Bronson Sardinha br ought Rodriguez home with a base hit into left. Designated hitter Matt Whitney drove a double into right field, scoring Gimenez and Sardinha, giving the Aeros a 3-0 lead. After that ominous first inning, Baysox starter Craig Anderson was able to settle down and retire thirteen straight batters before being replaced by Felix Romero to start the sixth inning. Romero picked up where Anderson left off, working two perfect innings while striking out one. David Huff worked 6.2 terrific innings, allowing only one run on four hits. Bowie center fielder Nolan Reimold led off the top of the fifth with a double for the Baysox first hit, extending his hitting streak to four games.

Bowie was able to break through in the top of the sixth. With a man out, Jonathan Tucker and Carlos Roja s hit consecutive singles to set the plate for Lou Montanez. Montanez brought Tucker in with a base hit into left field to cut the Akron lead to 3-1. With men on first and second and one away, Jeff Nettles grounded into an inning-ending double play. That would be the final run for either team. Akron left fielder Ryan Goleski got the only hit of the final three innings. Akron relievers J.D. Martin and Randy Newsom combined to throw five strikeouts over 2.1 perfect innings. For the Baysox, Felix Romero and Gerardo Casadiego were solid, giving up just one hit over 3.0 innings. With the loss, the Baysox (32-24) have dropped six games in a row, their longest losing streak of the season. Bowie drops out of first place in t h e Southern Division, now one game back of the Harrisburg Senators. The Baysox look to turn things around Sunday afternoon for the final game of a three game series in Akron at 2:05 . RHP Brad Bergesen (5-1, 2.56 ERA) will face off against LHP Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.94 ERA).

SPORTS NOTES

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:
Bo Diddley (great guitarist and super from the start of the rock & roll era following him were Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Chuck Barry, and he lived in the DC area from 1959 to 1966 he also jammed with the likes of B.B. King, Marvin Gaye and the Memories, Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent).
Frank Marcum Sommerkamp III (McKinley (DC) Tech HS grad)
George A. Enuton, Sr. (Suitland HS grad)
Frances Geller Kirshbaum (Central (DC) HS and Wilson Tech HS grad).
Hymy Cohen (Longtime sports writer for the Capital in Annapolis and member of the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame); he was a great person and will be missed.
Harvey Korman (great comedian, "Blazing Saddles" and "High Anxiety" movies).
Preston Luck Davis, Jr. (Central (DC) HS grad).
Neal Potter (former Montgomery County Executive).
Esan Ali (interior designer and star track and football star at Armstrong (DC) HS).
William George Barron (former owner of the Sea Shell restaurant in Oxon Hill).
Barry Lorge (former Washington Post sports writer).
Jerome Glazer (Theodore Roosevelt (DC) HS grad.
Norma L. Morgan (Wilson (DC) HS grad).
Frank Cunningham (Dunbar (DC) HS grad).
Mel Ferrer (movie star and Director married to Audrey Hepburn).

New Hampshire outfielder Ryan Patterson is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week Award and Akron right-hander Randy Newsom is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award. St. Johns College of Annapolis croquet team was selected as the Collegiate Croquet Team of the Year by the United States Croquet Association. St. Johns also won the National Championship Trophy. John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves will miss the rest of the season.

I wonder where they are now: Herbie Yobst, Joan Lindsay, Pete O?Hara, Bully Billy Espey, Joan Scott Thorn, Jean Smith Heenan, Pat Flinn, Jack Lynch (former Caps defenseman), Tony Marchetti, Jill Quade, Pat Kessler, Toni Agnew, Joan Linton, and Betty Wigglesworth Hughes?

USA Today has been running a poll that asks should Babe Ruth?s #3 and Robert Clements #21 be retired by all baseball teams like Jackie Robinson?s #42 was, to vote go to gameon.usatoday.com I voted yes for both because both deserve that national honor, all you have to do is look what these two did for baseball.

The number one draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles was 6?, 200 pound left hand pitcher Brian Matusz of San Diego St. He was a #4 pick in 2005 but turned the Los Angeles down and didn?t sign. At San Diego he struck out 141 in 105 innings. He has a great change up and a fast ball in the mid nineties and could become the ace of the Orioles staff. He was the #1 rated pitcher in the draft. The Washington Nationals selected Aaron Crow of Missouri with their first pick; he was considered the #2 pitcher in the draft. He?s a righty 6?, 195 pound, struck out 127 in 107 1/3 innings, has a fast ball in the upper 90?s, a great slider and changeup. He could hit the majors before Matusz, either way the Orioles and Nats made great picks. The ACC Baseball Player of the Year catcher Buster Posey of Florida State was selected by the San Francisco Giants with their first pick.

Congratulations to the following for making the Washington Post All-Met teams:
Baseball          Mark Anderson - OF - LaPlata - 1st Team
                        Kieran Flannery - C - Pallotti 1st Team
                        Tommy Winegardner   SS - Riverdale Baptist 2nd Team
                        Mike Boyden - P - LaPlata - 2nd Team

Coach of the Year was Dan Devitis of LaPlata and in his 27th year he led them to the State 3A Title. It's hard to believe this is their first title because of outstanding players like Don Money and Joe Blanford over the years.

Softball            Chelsea Stern ?F ?Northern 1st Team
                        Melanie Mitchell ?P ?McDonough 1st Team
                        Jess Warner ?UTL ?Huntingtown 2nd Team

Lacrosse Andrew Wascavage ?G ?St. Mary?s/Ryken 2nd Team
Zack Angel ?A ?St. Mary?s/Ryken 2nd Team

Boys
Track/Field Devon Smith ?Westlake ?1st Team
Lamaar Thomas ?Friendly 1st Team

Girls
Track/Field Christina Manning ?Westlake ?1st Team
Danielle Brock ?Westlake ?1st Team

SUPPORT YOUR D.C. DIVAS PLAYOFF PUSH

You can purchase tickets to the Mystics-Monarchs game on Wed. June 11th and support the D.C. Divas in the process. A portion of each ticket sale will go directly to the team. When placing your order look for the referral area so you can give credit for the sale to your favorite Divas player.

Top News
D.C. DIVAS REMAIN UNBEATEN AT HOME
Divas beat Baltimore 41-6

The D.C. Divas won their 28th straight game at home with a solid win over the Baltimore Nighthawks in the team?s second meeting of the season. The Divas defensive unit held the Nighthawks scoreless for the final 3 quarters of the game lead by Defensive MVP Trigger McNair. McNair recorded a sack, 7 tackles and blocked a punt. Captain Vickie Lucas led the linebackers with 9 tackles on the night. CB Latisha Guinn-Perry recorded the first two interceptions of her Divas career to solidify the victory in the second half.

Offensive MVP and Divas all time leading receiver Nikki Williams had 70 yards receiving and her 53 yard TD from QB Allyson Hamlin ended the first quarter with the Divas leading 13-6. Hamlin racked up 144 yards passing and tossed two touchdowns. Her second of the night for 17 yards to WR Tara Stephenson put the Divas up 27-7. RB Tiffany Matthews 2pt conversion made it 29-7 and capped off Matthews 99 yard night that included the game?s first touchdown on a 34 yard romp. RB LaShawn Foust made the most of her 11 yards on the ground with 2 touchdowns. RB Okiima Pickett added her own 32 yard scamper that made it 35-6 Divas. The Divas traveled to Brooklyn to take on the New York Sharks on Saturday June 7th.

Out and About
Powerade was the proud sponsor of a football festival at RFK stadium on Saturday April 19th. A number of D.C.Divas were on hand to sign autographs, along with Washington Redskins QB Jason Campbell!

This Saturday the Divas have a rematch with Pittsburgh, they lost in Pittsburgh 36-34 earlier. The Reds sent Cory Patterson to the minors. St. Albans won the first DC High School Baseball Classic beating Interhigh Champ Wilson 6-1.Wilson won the Interhigh with an 11-2 win over school without walls. With all the outstanding girl softball players in Anne Arundel County I hope Bruce Springer will bring back Women?s softball to Anne Arundel Community College . Maryland Delegate Craig Rice is doing a great job in Annapolis as are former NFL players Michael Vaughn and Jay Walker, as well as Jim ?You are never alone with Malone?Malone. Rice is a big fan of pro boxing. Gus Gilchrist, 6? is leaving Maryland before he ever plays a game for Gary Williams. The Orioles are restoring ?Baltimore ?to their road uniforms. No truth to the rumor that Maryland Delegate Kevin Kelly is going to appear on Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central maybe but not SNL. Severna Park let Bob Thomas go as boy?s soccer coach and hired Roy Dunshee (no reason why they let an outstanding coach as Thomas go).

WE GET LETTERS

Bill, Hope you can join the Steve Ports Trio featuring David Bell and Don Wimbrough at the following places this month:
Friday, June 13, 8:30-Midnight - Steve and Don at Castlebay Irish Pub in Annapolis; this is a great time of year to take a stroll down Main Street Annapolis, 410-626-0165, http://www.castlebayirishpub.com/contact.aspx

Friday, June 20, 9-1:15, Steve, Don and Bill at the Stil on York Road in Lutherville, It is always a blast at the Stil, 410-560-7900, http://www.thestill.net/

Friday, June 27, 6-10 - Steve and David at Fager's Island, 60th St. in the Bay, Ocean City, MD, 410-524-5500, http://www.fagers.com/restaurant/pdf_calendars/ENTERTAINMENT%20CAL%20MAY%2008.jpg

See you at the Bar, Steve, David, Don and Bill

Steve, You guys are great! Have a super summer. Bill

SUPPORT MARYLAND SPORTS!!