JOHNSTOWN —
Baltimore scored a mercy-rule shortened victory over Maryland State 11-1 to open AAABA play at Roxbury Park on Monday.
Tim Norris, who is in his second season as manager of the Youse’s Maryland Orioles but first tournament, said before the game that the message to his players was to simply, “play good baseball.”
The Orioles delivered that and more offensively, piling up 14 hits – including two home runs – in just seven innings.
Right-handed pitcher Blake Geiger allowed just two hits while striking out 10 in six innings.
In the bottom of the third, trailing 2-1, Maryland State right-hander Matt Beyer, got himself out of a bases-loaded jam, surrendering just one run in the process. The 18-year-old didn’t allow a hit in the fourth and the Calvert Legion team trailed just 3-1.
But with two outs in the fifth inning, and Beyer looking to get out of another jam, an infield error led to two runs.
Baltimore pulled away in the sixth, scoring five runs on a pair of long home runs, extending the lead to nine.
In the sixth inning, with two men on base, Chris Cook belted a three-run homer to right-center field. Two batters later, Ben Carhart blasted a two-run homer to left field, and from there the game was all but decided.
“Ben Carhart is probably going to be the Ripken League MVP,” Norris said of Baltimore’s local league. “He led the league in RBIs.”
Carhart, a junior at Stetson, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 19th round this summer.
The middle of Baltimore’s lineup drove in nine of the team’s 11 runs. Leadoff hitter Glynn Davis, a late pick-up, reached base four times, stole four bases, and scored each of those times, including the 11th run in the bottom of the seventh that put the 10-run mercy rule into effect.
All of that scoring seemed to overshadow Geiger’s 10-strikeout outing.
“Blake only gave up three earned runs in 43 innings in the Ripken League,” Norris said.
A long home run by Charles Rymers in the third inning was Geiger’s only blemish on the day.
“The arm felt great,” Geiger said. “I had about a week’s rest, so I felt like I came out throwing pretty hard.”
Baltimore had a stretch of six consecutive AAABA national championships from 2003 to 2007, but this is their first return to Johnstown’s national tournament since 2008. The Orioles failed to qualify in 2009, as they were knocked out in regional play.
Sports
Baltimore blasts way to victory
- Sports
-
-
Pirates promote prospect, send down Navarro
The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled infielder Jordy Mercer from Triple-A Indianapolis and have optioned infielder Yamaico Navarro to their Triple-A affiliate.
-
Hunting licenses to go on sale June 11
Hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2012-13 seasons will go on sale June 11, according to Carl G. Roe, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s executive director.
-
2012 AAABA League schedule
A look at this season's schedule:
-
2011 AAABA in Review
A look back at the 2011 AAABA season:
-
AAABA League Preview
A look at this season's Johnstown AAABA League:
-
Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. - More Sports Headlines
-
Pirates promote prospect, send down Navarro
Mets host Banner Day at Citi
Barfly: Analyzing African American QBs
Barfly: Combating Concussions
Barfly: To sue, or not to sue
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Kendall: Indy 500 recap
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Montero signs extension
On the Record: Anna Tunnicliffe
Highlights: History 300
NASCAR on FOX: Charlotte preview
Devils head to the Stanley Cup Finals
French Open Preview: Women's draw
French Open Preview: Men's draw
Controversial Show Offers Alternative Listening for Women During Stanley Cup Finals
Tebow Teased by Jets Teammates Over Virginity, Lolo Jones
Jets learn Sparano's offense
1st Inning: Hakeem Nicks
Tweet Talkback: Brandon Jennings
QB Kafka gaining valuable experience
