Sports Shorts David Steinbacher – Aces bash Bethesda, get pecked by Orioles

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The Alexandria Aces weigh in at 13-23 overall on the season with a convincing 12-6 win at Bethesda on July 21. In their most recent home contest however, the Aces dropped a painful 12-9 contest to the visiting Youses Orioles on July 20.

During the Sunday evening contest versus the Orioles (Glen Burnie, Md.), Alexandria jumped to a 7-1 lead after one complete inning. Although Alexandria surrendered seven runs to the Orioles in the top of the second inning, the Aces nonetheless led 9-8 after three complete innings. Neither squad scored during the fourth and fifth innings.

Youses tied the contest at nine apiece in the top of the sixth inning; unfortunately, the home team was not able to break the deadlock..

The Aces stranded one runner in the bottom of the sixth inning and stranded three count them — three runners in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Lightning and thunder erupted late at the top of the eighth inning on July 20, postponing the proceedings for about 30 minutes.

When the contest resumed the score was 9-9. The Orioles put together one run in the top of the eighth and two in the top of the ninth inning to claim the come-from-behind victory.

Alexandria sent four batters to the plate in the bottom of the ninth – stranded one – and bowed out on the short end of a 12-9 score.

ORIOLES 1-7-0-0-0-1-0-1-2

ACES  7-0-2-0-0-0-0-0-0

Cody Walden, a rising senior at Armstrong Atlantic University, took the loss for Alexandria on the mound. Walden, is one of six Aces who will represent Alexandria at the annual Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League All Star Game at Bethesda (Shirley Povich Field) on July 22, too late for this edition.

Also representing Alexandria will be fellow pitcher Brandon McCreery (rising junior also at Armstrong Atlantic); outfielders Andrew Brouse ( rising junior at Bucknell University) and Tommy Grandieri (rising junior at University of Pennsylvania), infielders Jared Norris (rising sophomore at Yavapai Arizona Junior College) and John Skaggs (rising junior at Wayne State University).

Alexandria Aces pitching coach Brian Midkiff commented – Cody [Waldron] throws in the mid-80s range. He can throw a fast ball, a curve ball and a changeup. He can really spot the ball well. Despite the fact that he took the loss tonight, hes probably been the most effective pitcher on our team.

Brandon [McCreery] throws right handed and is the top closer at Armstrong Atlantic. He is also our top closer here and he has an ERA of about 3.10.

Alexandria Aces assistant coach/hitting coach Ben Krentzman noted: Andrew (Brouse) leads us this season with six home runs and 25 RBIs; Tommy (Grandieri) is definitely batting over .300 and he leads the team in on base percentage as well as in stolen bases; Jared (Norris) can play both first base and designated hitter and he is batting close to .300; John (Skaggs) bats third in the batting order and is currently leading the team with a .330 batting average.

Following the All-Star Game, Alexandria is scheduled to conclude its inaugural season with five contests: at home against Bethesda (July 24), College Park (July 25), Herndon (July 27) and on the road facing: Bethesda (July 26), weather permitting.

Summing up the success of the first-year club, which plays home games at Four Mile Run, team President Pat Malone commented Im very pleased that weve been able to bring very good quality wooden bat baseball to Alexandria. It has been great for the community. Were really hoping to build on this and I totally expect us to be playing here in 2009.

Summer basketball
The St. Stephens/St. Agnes Boys Summer Basketball League is heading toward the playoffs. The 13-team league will conclude its season with the championship contest at 7 p.m. on August 1. (Quarter-finals are scheduled for July 29 and the semi-finals are scheduled for July 3.)

High school football
Eight of the nine City of Alexandria/Greater Alexandria high schools are days away from the start of summer practice.

In the City of Alexandria, the T.C. Williams Titans, the Ireton Cardinals and the St. Stephens/St. Agnes Saints are scheduled to begin practice on August 5.

The Edison Eagles, the Hayfield Hawks, the Jefferson Colonials, the Mount Vernon Majors and the West Potomac Wolverines are also scheduled to commence practice on August 5.

As a boarding school with students returning in late August, Episcopal High School (the Maroon) is not scheduled to begin practice until August 20.

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