PVI (#1) defeated Collegiate (#8) last night 10-0 in five innings. What were the other results?
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PVI over Collegiate 10-0
St. Chris over Trinity 5-1
STAB over Benedictine 6-2
St. Chris over Trinity 5-1
STAB over Benedictine 6-2
Thanks, Zeus. We are still missing a game, right?
Do you know what the matchups are for the semifinals?
How good are STAB and St. Christopher's?
Do you know what the matchups are for the semifinals?
How good are STAB and St. Christopher's?
DI
Paul VI 10 - Collegiate 0
SSSA 5 - Flint Hill 1
STAB 6 - Benedictine 2
St. Chris 5 - Trinity 2
DII
Hampton Christian 2 - Hampton Roads 1
Miller 4 - Seton 3
Stewart 5 - Carlisle 4
Greenbrier 12 - Isle of Wight 1
DIII
Alliance Christian 9 - Westover Christian 0
Roanoke Valley Christian ?? - Blessed Sacrement ??
Brunswick Academy ?? - Tidewater Academy ??
Broadwater Academy 6 - Kenston Forest 1
Paul VI 10 - Collegiate 0
SSSA 5 - Flint Hill 1
STAB 6 - Benedictine 2
St. Chris 5 - Trinity 2
DII
Hampton Christian 2 - Hampton Roads 1
Miller 4 - Seton 3
Stewart 5 - Carlisle 4
Greenbrier 12 - Isle of Wight 1
DIII
Alliance Christian 9 - Westover Christian 0
Roanoke Valley Christian ?? - Blessed Sacrement ??
Brunswick Academy ?? - Tidewater Academy ??
Broadwater Academy 6 - Kenston Forest 1
Roanoke Valley Christian 3 - Blessed Sacrement 15
Brunswick Academy 8 - Tidewater Academy 4
Brunswick Academy 8 - Tidewater Academy 4
So, in Div I, SSSA (#4) plays PVI (#1) and STAB (#3) plays St. Christopher's (#2)--right?
Any information on these teams? Predictions? Who has quality pitching left for two games?
Any insights on traffic issues around Richmond and Petersburg or good restaurants near Shepherd's Field?
Any information on these teams? Predictions? Who has quality pitching left for two games?
Any insights on traffic issues around Richmond and Petersburg or good restaurants near Shepherd's Field?
isaacvanwart,
The games will be held at the Petersburg Sports Complex not at Shepherd's stadium. Here's the website for directions.
http://petersburgsports.com/directions.htm
The games will be held at the Petersburg Sports Complex not at Shepherd's stadium. Here's the website for directions.
http://petersburgsports.com/directions.htm
RRM--Thanks for that information. I was told Shepherd's. Glad you told me about that.
My family likes to eat at Kings Barbecue when we play at PSC.
Also you can check out Batters Choice for equipment if you have some time to kill. Both places are close to the complex.
Also you can check out Batters Choice for equipment if you have some time to kill. Both places are close to the complex.
Thanks, 3up-3down. I actually walked into King's last night and sat at a booth but got nothing but stares. . . So I went over to try takeout. . . got more stares. Maybe I will try it again on Saturday?
And yes, I saw that equipment store and should have gone in there. Looks very good.
How is "The Mad Italian" Steak and Pasta restaurant?
And yes, I saw that equipment store and should have gone in there. Looks very good.
How is "The Mad Italian" Steak and Pasta restaurant?
Congrats to the Panthers of Paul VI HS baseball program ! The Panthers defeated St. Christopher's in the VISAA State Championship game today on a bases loaded walk-off single that hit off the wall in left. The is the 3rd Virginia State Title for the Panthers and their second in the last five years. The Panthers finish the year 27-3 and were the SBC Champions, WCAC Division Champions, and now Virginia State Champions. What a year and if all of that were not enough, they'll have all nine seniors going on to play college baseball at the next level:
(1) SEC
(2) ACC
(1) C-USA
(2) BIG EAST
(2) A-10
(1) NAIA
(1) SEC
(2) ACC
(1) C-USA
(2) BIG EAST
(2) A-10
(1) NAIA
Congrats to the Panthers.
The season with in a game to remember
It was a day, a Championship day that just never seemed to want to end. The Panthers took the field an hour late and w/ a simple play ball, here we go. Mike Mitchell (5-0) got the start, coming off of his no hitter in the quarter finals against Collegiate and he started off right where he left off. Mitchell went one, two, three in the top of the first inning w/ Pvi coming to bat. The common theme this year with all of Pvi’s opponents is they knew they could crush the fastball so there was no surprise when we saw the starting pitcher. Charlie McCann (Boston College) got the start for St. Christopher’s, who commanded a very good breaking ball and he would not disappoint. However, the first inning would not be the outcome he desired. McCann faced Peter Verdin (Georgia) to lead off the bottom of the first and proceeded to hit’em w/ an inside curve ball, Lance Veeder would single to move runners to 1st and 2nd, Matt Murakami (Maryland), as he had done all year long, came through in the clutch to hit an rbi single, scoring Verdin to put Pvi up 1-0. Reed Bromley would hit a fielder’s Choice advancing Veeder to third, then Chad Morgan came up huge w/ a sac-fly to score Veeder and give Pvi a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. McCann would get Bowers to fly out to right for the last out in the first.
Campbell Hinkle would lead off the top of the 2nd for Saints and w/ an 0-2 count, planted a ball dead center over the fence for a solo HR, bringing the Saints w/ in one run, 2-1. Mitchell would settle down and get a fly out to center and 2 K’s to retire the Saints in the second. The Panthers came in to the bottom of the second w/ a one run lead, threatening to add more Mike Mitchell drives a 1 out double to the left field wall simply to be stranded by McCann collecting back to back K’s against McCormick and Verdin to end the second inning.
The third inning would start great w/ Mitchell collecting his third K of the game for the first out. Mitchell would walk Casey Fox, then Matt Clark came through w/ a big single to advance Fox to third. The Saints w/ runners on first and third would get another big single from Charlie McCann to center, scoring Fox and they would add another run after a throwing error by Verdin allows Clark to score from first base. The Panthers would call time and decided to go to the bullpen early. The Panthers would bring in Greg Wiegand (Dayton, 3-0 w/ 4 saves) who proceeded to stop the bleeding by throwing back to back K’s on Hinkle and Freeman to end the top of the third. The Panthers already w/ 2 outs in the bottom of the third would threaten again w/ back to back walks to Bromley and Morgan, but McCann would get the big strike out against Brett Bowers (East Carolina) to end the thread and the third inning.
Luke Erickson (Virginia Tech) would lead off the top of the fourth for the Saints w/ a texas leaguer bloop that falls for a base hit. Wiegand still on the mound for the Panthers would get Wittenaur to fly out to right, Jensen would strike out for the second out of the inning. Wagner would threaten w/ a single putting Erickson in scoring position but Wiegand was able to get Fox to hit in to the 6-5 put out to end the fourth for the Saint. The Panthers would lead off the bottom of the fourth w/ a single by McMenamin. McCann would get to Wiegand to strike out looking but the Panthers responded by getting a single by McCormick to threaten in the fourth w/ 2 men on and only 1 out. Verdin laces a line drive to center but it was caught for the second out and Veeder pops out to right field to end the threat, score still Saints 3 – Panthers 2.
Matt Clark leads off the top of the fifth for the Saints and draws a lead-off walk. McCann would fly out to right for the first out but the Saints show patience at the plate and Hinkle draws second walk of the inning to put runners on first and second w/ one out. Freeman would come through clutch w/ a single to center but the Saints coach would hold Clark at third as Verdin in center fires an absolute seed from 300 feet to home plate, leaving the bases loaded for the Saints w/ 1 out. The Panthers would make a call to the bullpen once again and bring in Drew Shaw (Temple, 6-0) to put an end to this threat by the Saints and the southpaw would take care of business by getting Erickson to pop out to the second baseman and Wittenaur to ground out to second to end the fifth and the bases drunk. The Panthers would lead the bottom of the fifth off w/ a single by Murakami . Bromley would strike out for the first out but Murakami steals second to move in to scoring position. Chad Morgan would drive a ball to right field allowing Murakami to tag and advance to third base. The Panthers w/ 2 outs and runner on third would catch the break they’ve been looking for when Brett Bowers hits a 2-2 sharp curve ball for a huge texas leaguer rbi single a foot inside the right field line, scoring Murakami from third to bring the game to a tie, 3-3. The Panthers still threatening in the fifth draw a walk to put runners on first and second, both runners would advance on a pass ball putting them both in scoring position w/ Drew Shaw at the plate. Shaw would crush a line drive but right to the right fielder for the last out of the fifth, game all tied up at 3 apiece.
The Panthers w/ their new life would take care of business in the top of the sixth and get a strike out and a couple ground outs to move to the bottom of the sixth. McCann still on the mound for the Saints would do his part and take care of business himself w/ a fly out and a couple ground outs to end the sixth still all knotted up at 3 runs each.
The game on the line, McCann in the top of the 7th said enough of this and doubles a 1 hopper off the wall in left. The Panthers would call time out and make their third call to the Pen of the game and bring in their fourth pitcher of the game in Reed Bromley. Reed Bromley (2-1 w/ 3 saves) came in and simply retired the next 3 Saints hitters 1, 2, 3 to end any threat w/ that lead-off double. The Panthers feeling energized would do nothing in the seventh and go down 1, 2, 3 to send the game in to extra innings.
Bromley still on the mound for the Panthers in the top of the 8th would walk the lead-off man bringing Jensen to the plate for the Saints. Everyone in the entire stadium was expecting bunt and Jensen would do just that executing a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Wittenaur into scoring position. Wittenaur would advance to third on a pass ball. Bromley would walk the second batter of the inning and Coach Emerson had seen enough. It was time to go to the bullpen for the fifth time in the game signaling to center field for Paul VI’s closer Peter Verdin (4-1 w/ 6 saves) to come to the mound. Verdin w/ his very first warm up pitch threw a 95mph fast ball to the back of the back stop and the crowd went nuts, they must have been thinking here comes the wild thing ! Wagner for the Saints would advance to second on a pass ball putting two runners in scoring position as the crowd was in a frenzy. However, that would be as close as they would get to home plate, Verdin would strike out both Fox and Clark to end the threat in the 8th by the Saints.
The Panthers move to the bottom of the eighth and McMenamin would do his job by drawing a lead-off walk to immediately place the pressure back on the Saints. Coach Szymendera apparently thought McCann had done all he could do to get the W and would leave the game w/ a no decision at least for now. The Saints bring in Campbell Hinkle to finish the job. Mitchell for the Panthers would lay down a picture perfect sac bunt down the first base line but there was no one covering first base and there became a sprint between two of the biggest guys on the field w/ Mitchell reaching safely for an infield single but the courtesy runner for McMenamin would try to stretch it w/ the collision at first and both guys having fallen to the ground, simply to be thrown out by an alert defenseman to take away any advantage of the attempted bunt by throwing out Carlos Mateos at third, running for McMenamin. The Saints w/ one out in the bottom of the eighth and a runner on first would walk the next two batters to load the bases. Hinkle, determined, got Veeder on the K and Murakami to ground out back to the pitcher to end any Panther threat.
The top of the 9th we go and Peter Verdin would pick up right where he left off collecting a ground out and 2 more K’s making that 4 strike outs against the five batters he’s faced, throwing 91-93mph. The Panthers got the lift they’ve been waiting for when Reed Bromley launched a ball that almost went out to dead center that hit off the wall for a lead-off double to start the bottom of the 9th. Hinkle would give up a single to Chad Morgan advancing Bromley to third base. Brett Bowers would draw a walk to load the bases, bringing Mike McMenamin to the plate. McMenamin would work the count to 2-2, then sent the biggest hit of his high school career off the wall in left for a bases loaded walk-off single to win the game. Peter Verdin gets the W to improve his record and what a team effort by so many.
A special congratulations to Coach Emerson and his entire coaching staff and most importantly to the players who have worked so tirelessly to reach this ultimate goal of being State Champions. The majority of these boys including the 9 seniors on this team have played w/ each other since they were youngsters. I can't think of any better way to finish their high school careers than to go out on top and be called State Champions. Paul VI finishes the year 27-3 and are the SBC Champions, WCAC Division Champions, and now Virginia State Champions. What a year and if all of that were not enough, they'll have all nine seniors going on to play college baseball at the next level:
(1) SEC
(2) ACC
(1) C-USA
(2) BIG EAST
(2) A-10
(1) NAIA
There have been many highlights over a long season like this one and I’m sure I may leave some out and I apologize in advance, but I’d like to take this time to recognize the seniors and their accomplishments over the last several years. First, to Mike McMenamin who is wise beyond his years in the baseball world. Mike has called every pitch of every game he has started over the last two years and has been simply amazing behind the dish for the Panthers and is the heart beat of this team. Mike’s college decision will officially be announced very soon.
Reed Bromley waited for his senior year to have his high school career best season. Bromley hit .432 (35 for 81) w/ on base avg. of .518, slugged .765, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 20 walks, 24 runs scored and a team leading 34 rbi’s. Reed’s college decision will officially be announced very soon.
Greg Wiegand who played the entire year battling foot injuries always wanted the ball. Greg Wiegand injured himself in the 3rd game of the season but when he was told the only thing that would make it better was rest, he wanted nothing to do with that for his senior year. Greg went on to set the all time career saves record for Paul VI w/ 8 in his HS career and finished this year 3-0 w/ 4 saves and a 1.78 era. Greg signed w/ the University of Dayton and will be competing in the A-10 conference next year for the Flyers.
Mike Mitchell, a four year varsity starter for Paul VI placed his name on the map last year when he went 8-1 last year and set the single season record for shut outs for Paul VI w/ 4. Mitchell finishes 3rd all time in career victories w/ 13 in his High School career at Paul VI. Mike’s college decision wiil officially be announced very soon.
Tim McCormick also had his best year this year for the Panthers. McCormick hit .357 (30 for 84) w/ on base avg. of .423, slugged .607, tied the single season record for doubles (12) that Peter Verdin set back in ’07, 3 home runs, 6 for 8 in stolen bases, 7 walks, 22 rbi’s along w/ 20 runs scored. Tim’s college decision will officially be announced very soon.
Brett Bowers, another four year varsity player for Paul VI has been known for his glove for years now but his power numbers have steadily improved over his four years. Brett is 2nd on the all time career home run list w/ 11 for Paul VI, which by many may not sound like a lot but when you add the fact that most of their games are at home and they play on a field where dead center is 430 feet deep, you may understand why as a team our home runs are not like they might be at another school. Brett is also the 3rd all time career rbi leader w/ 70 career rbi’s. Brett was the first player from this ’08 class to commit and signed w/ East Carolina University. The Pirates play in Conference USA and Brett is looking forward to starting for ECU next year.
Drew Shaw has been the picture of consistency over his 3 year varsity career. Drew this year tied his season best w/ six victories going 6-0 on the year. Drew sets the new career record for wins for Paul VI w/ 17 in his high school career. Drew also sets the new record for career era w/ an astonishing 1.30 over his 3 years. Drew signed w/ Temple University this year and will be competing in the A-10 conference next year for the Owls.
Matt Murakami by far has been the most improved player for Paul VI. Matt set career numbers this year hitting .479 on the year w/ on base avg. of .545, slugged .844, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 12 for 13 in stolen bases, 12 walks, 27 rbi’s and 39 runs scored. Matt also set a new single season hits record this year w/ 46 hits, breaking the old record set by Peter Verdin in ’07 (44), Matt ties single season record for triples w/ 5 and ties the career rbi record w/ Peter Verdin who both in 3 years drove in 75 rbi’s. Matt has signed w/ the University of Maryland and looks forward to competing in the ACC next year for the Terrapins.
Peter Verdin in many respects has been the face of the Panthers for the last two years and though Matt and Reed had better numbers this year offensively, Peter’s consistency over his career at Paul VI is simply amazing. Peter has a career batting average of .425 (2nd career average all time), an on base avg. of .510 (2nd career average all time), slugging .650 (3rd career all time), 30 doubles (new career record for doubles), 6 career triples at Paul VI, 8 career home runs at Paul VI, 65 stolen bases (new career record for stolen bases), 34 walks, 75 rbi’s (new career record for rbi’s), and shattered the old career runs scored record of 87, scoring 119 runs in his three year career at Paul VI. This year Peter hit .390 (39 for 100), on base avg. of .483, slugged .650, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs, 15 for 16 in stolen bases, 11 walks, 23 rbi’s, and a new single season record of 42 runs scored this year. If you add Peter’s stats from his freshman year on Varsity at West Potomac HS, the numbers are even that much more impressive.
Career Varsity stats for all four years:
.420 avg, .505 on base avg, 37 doubles, 9 triples, 13 home runs, 85 for 95 SB’s, 100 rbi’s, 147 runs scored
Peter has signed w/ the University of Georgia and looks forward to competing in the SEC next year for the Bulldawgs.
These nine seniors above will be sorely missed but don’t look past the Panthers in 2009, they’ll have a talented group coming up to fill some big shoes and like all good programs do, they’ll reload and be ready to compete for hopefully another Championship.
It was a day, a Championship day that just never seemed to want to end. The Panthers took the field an hour late and w/ a simple play ball, here we go. Mike Mitchell (5-0) got the start, coming off of his no hitter in the quarter finals against Collegiate and he started off right where he left off. Mitchell went one, two, three in the top of the first inning w/ Pvi coming to bat. The common theme this year with all of Pvi’s opponents is they knew they could crush the fastball so there was no surprise when we saw the starting pitcher. Charlie McCann (Boston College) got the start for St. Christopher’s, who commanded a very good breaking ball and he would not disappoint. However, the first inning would not be the outcome he desired. McCann faced Peter Verdin (Georgia) to lead off the bottom of the first and proceeded to hit’em w/ an inside curve ball, Lance Veeder would single to move runners to 1st and 2nd, Matt Murakami (Maryland), as he had done all year long, came through in the clutch to hit an rbi single, scoring Verdin to put Pvi up 1-0. Reed Bromley would hit a fielder’s Choice advancing Veeder to third, then Chad Morgan came up huge w/ a sac-fly to score Veeder and give Pvi a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. McCann would get Bowers to fly out to right for the last out in the first.
Campbell Hinkle would lead off the top of the 2nd for Saints and w/ an 0-2 count, planted a ball dead center over the fence for a solo HR, bringing the Saints w/ in one run, 2-1. Mitchell would settle down and get a fly out to center and 2 K’s to retire the Saints in the second. The Panthers came in to the bottom of the second w/ a one run lead, threatening to add more Mike Mitchell drives a 1 out double to the left field wall simply to be stranded by McCann collecting back to back K’s against McCormick and Verdin to end the second inning.
The third inning would start great w/ Mitchell collecting his third K of the game for the first out. Mitchell would walk Casey Fox, then Matt Clark came through w/ a big single to advance Fox to third. The Saints w/ runners on first and third would get another big single from Charlie McCann to center, scoring Fox and they would add another run after a throwing error by Verdin allows Clark to score from first base. The Panthers would call time and decided to go to the bullpen early. The Panthers would bring in Greg Wiegand (Dayton, 3-0 w/ 4 saves) who proceeded to stop the bleeding by throwing back to back K’s on Hinkle and Freeman to end the top of the third. The Panthers already w/ 2 outs in the bottom of the third would threaten again w/ back to back walks to Bromley and Morgan, but McCann would get the big strike out against Brett Bowers (East Carolina) to end the thread and the third inning.
Luke Erickson (Virginia Tech) would lead off the top of the fourth for the Saints w/ a texas leaguer bloop that falls for a base hit. Wiegand still on the mound for the Panthers would get Wittenaur to fly out to right, Jensen would strike out for the second out of the inning. Wagner would threaten w/ a single putting Erickson in scoring position but Wiegand was able to get Fox to hit in to the 6-5 put out to end the fourth for the Saint. The Panthers would lead off the bottom of the fourth w/ a single by McMenamin. McCann would get to Wiegand to strike out looking but the Panthers responded by getting a single by McCormick to threaten in the fourth w/ 2 men on and only 1 out. Verdin laces a line drive to center but it was caught for the second out and Veeder pops out to right field to end the threat, score still Saints 3 – Panthers 2.
Matt Clark leads off the top of the fifth for the Saints and draws a lead-off walk. McCann would fly out to right for the first out but the Saints show patience at the plate and Hinkle draws second walk of the inning to put runners on first and second w/ one out. Freeman would come through clutch w/ a single to center but the Saints coach would hold Clark at third as Verdin in center fires an absolute seed from 300 feet to home plate, leaving the bases loaded for the Saints w/ 1 out. The Panthers would make a call to the bullpen once again and bring in Drew Shaw (Temple, 6-0) to put an end to this threat by the Saints and the southpaw would take care of business by getting Erickson to pop out to the second baseman and Wittenaur to ground out to second to end the fifth and the bases drunk. The Panthers would lead the bottom of the fifth off w/ a single by Murakami . Bromley would strike out for the first out but Murakami steals second to move in to scoring position. Chad Morgan would drive a ball to right field allowing Murakami to tag and advance to third base. The Panthers w/ 2 outs and runner on third would catch the break they’ve been looking for when Brett Bowers hits a 2-2 sharp curve ball for a huge texas leaguer rbi single a foot inside the right field line, scoring Murakami from third to bring the game to a tie, 3-3. The Panthers still threatening in the fifth draw a walk to put runners on first and second, both runners would advance on a pass ball putting them both in scoring position w/ Drew Shaw at the plate. Shaw would crush a line drive but right to the right fielder for the last out of the fifth, game all tied up at 3 apiece.
The Panthers w/ their new life would take care of business in the top of the sixth and get a strike out and a couple ground outs to move to the bottom of the sixth. McCann still on the mound for the Saints would do his part and take care of business himself w/ a fly out and a couple ground outs to end the sixth still all knotted up at 3 runs each.
The game on the line, McCann in the top of the 7th said enough of this and doubles a 1 hopper off the wall in left. The Panthers would call time out and make their third call to the Pen of the game and bring in their fourth pitcher of the game in Reed Bromley. Reed Bromley (2-1 w/ 3 saves) came in and simply retired the next 3 Saints hitters 1, 2, 3 to end any threat w/ that lead-off double. The Panthers feeling energized would do nothing in the seventh and go down 1, 2, 3 to send the game in to extra innings.
Bromley still on the mound for the Panthers in the top of the 8th would walk the lead-off man bringing Jensen to the plate for the Saints. Everyone in the entire stadium was expecting bunt and Jensen would do just that executing a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Wittenaur into scoring position. Wittenaur would advance to third on a pass ball. Bromley would walk the second batter of the inning and Coach Emerson had seen enough. It was time to go to the bullpen for the fifth time in the game signaling to center field for Paul VI’s closer Peter Verdin (4-1 w/ 6 saves) to come to the mound. Verdin w/ his very first warm up pitch threw a 95mph fast ball to the back of the back stop and the crowd went nuts, they must have been thinking here comes the wild thing ! Wagner for the Saints would advance to second on a pass ball putting two runners in scoring position as the crowd was in a frenzy. However, that would be as close as they would get to home plate, Verdin would strike out both Fox and Clark to end the threat in the 8th by the Saints.
The Panthers move to the bottom of the eighth and McMenamin would do his job by drawing a lead-off walk to immediately place the pressure back on the Saints. Coach Szymendera apparently thought McCann had done all he could do to get the W and would leave the game w/ a no decision at least for now. The Saints bring in Campbell Hinkle to finish the job. Mitchell for the Panthers would lay down a picture perfect sac bunt down the first base line but there was no one covering first base and there became a sprint between two of the biggest guys on the field w/ Mitchell reaching safely for an infield single but the courtesy runner for McMenamin would try to stretch it w/ the collision at first and both guys having fallen to the ground, simply to be thrown out by an alert defenseman to take away any advantage of the attempted bunt by throwing out Carlos Mateos at third, running for McMenamin. The Saints w/ one out in the bottom of the eighth and a runner on first would walk the next two batters to load the bases. Hinkle, determined, got Veeder on the K and Murakami to ground out back to the pitcher to end any Panther threat.
The top of the 9th we go and Peter Verdin would pick up right where he left off collecting a ground out and 2 more K’s making that 4 strike outs against the five batters he’s faced, throwing 91-93mph. The Panthers got the lift they’ve been waiting for when Reed Bromley launched a ball that almost went out to dead center that hit off the wall for a lead-off double to start the bottom of the 9th. Hinkle would give up a single to Chad Morgan advancing Bromley to third base. Brett Bowers would draw a walk to load the bases, bringing Mike McMenamin to the plate. McMenamin would work the count to 2-2, then sent the biggest hit of his high school career off the wall in left for a bases loaded walk-off single to win the game. Peter Verdin gets the W to improve his record and what a team effort by so many.
A special congratulations to Coach Emerson and his entire coaching staff and most importantly to the players who have worked so tirelessly to reach this ultimate goal of being State Champions. The majority of these boys including the 9 seniors on this team have played w/ each other since they were youngsters. I can't think of any better way to finish their high school careers than to go out on top and be called State Champions. Paul VI finishes the year 27-3 and are the SBC Champions, WCAC Division Champions, and now Virginia State Champions. What a year and if all of that were not enough, they'll have all nine seniors going on to play college baseball at the next level:
(1) SEC
(2) ACC
(1) C-USA
(2) BIG EAST
(2) A-10
(1) NAIA
There have been many highlights over a long season like this one and I’m sure I may leave some out and I apologize in advance, but I’d like to take this time to recognize the seniors and their accomplishments over the last several years. First, to Mike McMenamin who is wise beyond his years in the baseball world. Mike has called every pitch of every game he has started over the last two years and has been simply amazing behind the dish for the Panthers and is the heart beat of this team. Mike’s college decision will officially be announced very soon.
Reed Bromley waited for his senior year to have his high school career best season. Bromley hit .432 (35 for 81) w/ on base avg. of .518, slugged .765, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 20 walks, 24 runs scored and a team leading 34 rbi’s. Reed’s college decision will officially be announced very soon.
Greg Wiegand who played the entire year battling foot injuries always wanted the ball. Greg Wiegand injured himself in the 3rd game of the season but when he was told the only thing that would make it better was rest, he wanted nothing to do with that for his senior year. Greg went on to set the all time career saves record for Paul VI w/ 8 in his HS career and finished this year 3-0 w/ 4 saves and a 1.78 era. Greg signed w/ the University of Dayton and will be competing in the A-10 conference next year for the Flyers.
Mike Mitchell, a four year varsity starter for Paul VI placed his name on the map last year when he went 8-1 last year and set the single season record for shut outs for Paul VI w/ 4. Mitchell finishes 3rd all time in career victories w/ 13 in his High School career at Paul VI. Mike’s college decision wiil officially be announced very soon.
Tim McCormick also had his best year this year for the Panthers. McCormick hit .357 (30 for 84) w/ on base avg. of .423, slugged .607, tied the single season record for doubles (12) that Peter Verdin set back in ’07, 3 home runs, 6 for 8 in stolen bases, 7 walks, 22 rbi’s along w/ 20 runs scored. Tim’s college decision will officially be announced very soon.
Brett Bowers, another four year varsity player for Paul VI has been known for his glove for years now but his power numbers have steadily improved over his four years. Brett is 2nd on the all time career home run list w/ 11 for Paul VI, which by many may not sound like a lot but when you add the fact that most of their games are at home and they play on a field where dead center is 430 feet deep, you may understand why as a team our home runs are not like they might be at another school. Brett is also the 3rd all time career rbi leader w/ 70 career rbi’s. Brett was the first player from this ’08 class to commit and signed w/ East Carolina University. The Pirates play in Conference USA and Brett is looking forward to starting for ECU next year.
Drew Shaw has been the picture of consistency over his 3 year varsity career. Drew this year tied his season best w/ six victories going 6-0 on the year. Drew sets the new career record for wins for Paul VI w/ 17 in his high school career. Drew also sets the new record for career era w/ an astonishing 1.30 over his 3 years. Drew signed w/ Temple University this year and will be competing in the A-10 conference next year for the Owls.
Matt Murakami by far has been the most improved player for Paul VI. Matt set career numbers this year hitting .479 on the year w/ on base avg. of .545, slugged .844, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 12 for 13 in stolen bases, 12 walks, 27 rbi’s and 39 runs scored. Matt also set a new single season hits record this year w/ 46 hits, breaking the old record set by Peter Verdin in ’07 (44), Matt ties single season record for triples w/ 5 and ties the career rbi record w/ Peter Verdin who both in 3 years drove in 75 rbi’s. Matt has signed w/ the University of Maryland and looks forward to competing in the ACC next year for the Terrapins.
Peter Verdin in many respects has been the face of the Panthers for the last two years and though Matt and Reed had better numbers this year offensively, Peter’s consistency over his career at Paul VI is simply amazing. Peter has a career batting average of .425 (2nd career average all time), an on base avg. of .510 (2nd career average all time), slugging .650 (3rd career all time), 30 doubles (new career record for doubles), 6 career triples at Paul VI, 8 career home runs at Paul VI, 65 stolen bases (new career record for stolen bases), 34 walks, 75 rbi’s (new career record for rbi’s), and shattered the old career runs scored record of 87, scoring 119 runs in his three year career at Paul VI. This year Peter hit .390 (39 for 100), on base avg. of .483, slugged .650, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs, 15 for 16 in stolen bases, 11 walks, 23 rbi’s, and a new single season record of 42 runs scored this year. If you add Peter’s stats from his freshman year on Varsity at West Potomac HS, the numbers are even that much more impressive.
Career Varsity stats for all four years:
.420 avg, .505 on base avg, 37 doubles, 9 triples, 13 home runs, 85 for 95 SB’s, 100 rbi’s, 147 runs scored
Peter has signed w/ the University of Georgia and looks forward to competing in the SEC next year for the Bulldawgs.
These nine seniors above will be sorely missed but don’t look past the Panthers in 2009, they’ll have a talented group coming up to fill some big shoes and like all good programs do, they’ll reload and be ready to compete for hopefully another Championship.
Thanks, j2h6 for that breakdown of the Championship Game and that breakdown of the PVI senior contributions.
Let me add two things about these seniors:
(1) j2h6 highlighted the offensive stats, and I know he will agree with me on this point, these guys were gold glovers across the board. Verdin in centerfield made MLB level throws and catches a routine in CF. He saved games in 2007 and in 2008 with defense alone. Same with Matt Murakami at 2B, Brett Bowers at SS (3B the year before), Tim McCormick in RF, and Reed Bromley at 3B. And as for Mike McMenamin behind the plate, he blocked everything and his throwing kept Hartsville from running its way into contention at the SBC Tournament. These guys are GREAT defensive players.
(2) And j2h6 will agree with this one, too. You cannot say enough about the character, determination, and will power of this team. This was evident during the 21 game winning streak this year and it was evident on Saturday against St. Christopher's. There were many chances to fold up the tents and walk away, but they never did. Against St. Christopher's, they faced down threat after threat and fought their way to that victory. The State Championship is a testament to the hearts and souls of these kids--they are winners and always will be.
Congratulations to PVI on a truly great season. We will miss this 2008 class--probably the best ever assembled at PVI. Good luck to all of the boys as they go off to college. And thanks for all the great baseball memories.
Let me add two things about these seniors:
(1) j2h6 highlighted the offensive stats, and I know he will agree with me on this point, these guys were gold glovers across the board. Verdin in centerfield made MLB level throws and catches a routine in CF. He saved games in 2007 and in 2008 with defense alone. Same with Matt Murakami at 2B, Brett Bowers at SS (3B the year before), Tim McCormick in RF, and Reed Bromley at 3B. And as for Mike McMenamin behind the plate, he blocked everything and his throwing kept Hartsville from running its way into contention at the SBC Tournament. These guys are GREAT defensive players.
(2) And j2h6 will agree with this one, too. You cannot say enough about the character, determination, and will power of this team. This was evident during the 21 game winning streak this year and it was evident on Saturday against St. Christopher's. There were many chances to fold up the tents and walk away, but they never did. Against St. Christopher's, they faced down threat after threat and fought their way to that victory. The State Championship is a testament to the hearts and souls of these kids--they are winners and always will be.
Congratulations to PVI on a truly great season. We will miss this 2008 class--probably the best ever assembled at PVI. Good luck to all of the boys as they go off to college. And thanks for all the great baseball memories.