Thursday, May 25, 2006
Schrader, Tarner recognized by the WaPo
Blake seniors Matt Schrader and Zack Tarner earned All-Met honors from The Washington Post today. Schrader was named Second Team at 3b for his achievements at Blake this ye ar. He batted .534 on the season with 7 HR and 20 RBI. His Slugging Percentage was 1.000 and his On-Base Percentage was .622. He also holds the single season and career record for HR (9, 18), RBI (30, 62), Average (.581, .490), OBP (.621, .535) and Slugging (1.326, .653) at Blake.
Tarner was named Honorable Mention as a Pitcher. This year he was 7-1 with a 2.32 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 60 innings. He also had a tremendous year at bat hitting to a .455 batting average, the seventh highest single-season average ever, with 5 HR, and an .891 Slugging Percentage, the fourth highest single-season percentage in Blake history. Tarner holds the career marks for Wins (12), Starts (18), Appearances (30), Innings (127) and Strikeouts (121).
Schrader's honor was the seventh Blake player to achieve a second-team All-Met honor. He joins, Alex Udwari, Kevin Cunningham, John Schmidt, Hans Falkenahn, Mike Schmidt and Ryan Roberson. Schrader was an Honorable Mention All-Met winner last year. Schrader was the first player Blake player to be named in two consecutive years. Tarner was the third Blake player to achieve an Honorable Mention status joining Kevin Casady and Schrader. This marked the sixth consecutive year that Blake has had a player named to an All-Met team. It was the first time since 2002 that Blake had more than one player named to the All-Met team.
"This is a tremendous honor for these players and our program," said Steve Murfin, Blake co-coach. "These players worked hard all year to achieve personal goals and lead our team to its goals, too. For The Washington Post to recognize this with these honors is a tribute to what they set out to do on March 1 and is inspiration for others."
Blake seniors Matt Schrader and Zack Tarner earned All-Met honors from The Washington Post today. Schrader was named Second Team at 3b for his achievements at Blake this ye ar. He batted .534 on the season with 7 HR and 20 RBI. His Slugging Percentage was 1.000 and his On-Base Percentage was .622. He also holds the single season and career record for HR (9, 18), RBI (30, 62), Average (.581, .490), OBP (.621, .535) and Slugging (1.326, .653) at Blake.
Tarner was named Honorable Mention as a Pitcher. This year he was 7-1 with a 2.32 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 60 innings. He also had a tremendous year at bat hitting to a .455 batting average, the seventh highest single-season average ever, with 5 HR, and an .891 Slugging Percentage, the fourth highest single-season percentage in Blake history. Tarner holds the career marks for Wins (12), Starts (18), Appearances (30), Innings (127) and Strikeouts (121).
Schrader's honor was the seventh Blake player to achieve a second-team All-Met honor. He joins, Alex Udwari, Kevin Cunningham, John Schmidt, Hans Falkenahn, Mike Schmidt and Ryan Roberson. Schrader was an Honorable Mention All-Met winner last year. Schrader was the first player Blake player to be named in two consecutive years. Tarner was the third Blake player to achieve an Honorable Mention status joining Kevin Casady and Schrader. This marked the sixth consecutive year that Blake has had a player named to an All-Met team. It was the first time since 2002 that Blake had more than one player named to the All-Met team.
"This is a tremendous honor for these players and our program," said Steve Murfin, Blake co-coach. "These players worked hard all year to achieve personal goals and lead our team to its goals, too. For The Washington Post to recognize this with these honors is a tribute to what they set out to do on March 1 and is inspiration for others."
Monday, May 22, 2006
Contribute to the Interscholastic Sportsperson of the Year Award
Now known as the ISY Award, you still have time to help us reach our goal of $2,000 for this worthy program. Four Blake student-athletes will receive ISY Awards and checks for $500. The Booster Club raises the money anonymously to give to deserving students determined by Mr. Hilliard and the Athletic Department. Two male and two female winners are determined from the entire pool of senior Blake athletes based on their academic and athletic prowess, and service to Blake HS.
Bring your checkbook tonight. All contributions are payable to Blake Booster Club. These contributions are held separate from Booster Club funds and serve only to provide the ISY Awards.
Now known as the ISY Award, you still have time to help us reach our goal of $2,000 for this worthy program. Four Blake student-athletes will receive ISY Awards and checks for $500. The Booster Club raises the money anonymously to give to deserving students determined by Mr. Hilliard and the Athletic Department. Two male and two female winners are determined from the entire pool of senior Blake athletes based on their academic and athletic prowess, and service to Blake HS.
Bring your checkbook tonight. All contributions are payable to Blake Booster Club. These contributions are held separate from Booster Club funds and serve only to provide the ISY Awards.
BENGALS LOSE 4A NORTH TITLE GAME BUT CLOSE BEST SEASON SINCE 2002
23 RECORDS SET DURING SEASON
No team ever looks at losing a title game and considers the season a success. But the Blake Bengals Baseball Team did just that after lowing to CM Wright 13-7 in the 4A North Championship game Friday night at Blake. The game ended a run of a dream season in which the Bengals surprised the entire Montgomery County Baseball coaches and prognosticators by winning 11 regular season games and finishing as the #1 seed in the 4A North for the MAryland State Baseball Tournament.
The Bengals had first round bye and then dominated Thomas Johnson, 4-1, and Perry Hall, 6-1, in setting the stage for the 4A North Regional Championship game against #5 seed CM Wright. Wright had beaten #6 Kenwood, #3 Sherwood, and #2 Parkville to earn the right to play #1 Blake.
"Despite this loss, the season was very satisfying. Nobody in the County gave us a chance at all. We set our minds early that we would prove everybody wrong and we did. We did more than just exceed our goals. We proved that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything."
Blake's final record of 13-6 was the best record since the 2002 team went 14-5 and lost the 3A Regional Final to South Carroll. Since spring break of 2005, the Bengals are 20-9 including post - season play. Blake also set four team records and 19 individual records during the year. Included in the team records was fewest errors, highest fielding percentage, most stolen bases and most doubles in a season.
Matt Schrader ended his Blake career with 20 team records combining single season and career marks. His key final career marks were a .490 batting average, .963 slugging percentage and he tied Alex Udwari with a .553 on base percentage. He holds the record for 18 career home runs as he added two more in the playoffs.
Zack Tarner ended his career with the second best single-season pitching performance in school history. He went 7-1 and had a 2.32 ERA. Hen ended his Blake career as the record holder in career Wins, Starts, Appearances, Innings and Strikeouts. Zack hit a home run in his win over TJ on Monday and will best be remembered for his two-run walk off home run against Paint Branch that gave the Bengals the #1 Seed.
Jose Flores, also had a brilliant career as a catcher. He caught every inning but one in each of the last two years and didn't allow a passed ball the final two months of the season and only allowed 2 in 1,295 pitches.
"These three carried the team on their backs all year. They set their goals high, challenged their teammates to exceed expectations and had the game of their lives in the Regional Final. They went out in a blaze of glory and will go down among the best athletes in school history."
Taylor Schallhorn (Jr. 2b) set the mark with 17 stolen bases on the season and also set a record with seven consecutive hits and reaching base safely 10 consecutive times.
BENGAL WEEK Blake 4, Thomas Johnson 1 Tarner threw only 80 pitches in dominating TJ. He also hit a 2-run home run. The only TJ run was on his own throwing error on a bunt.
Blake 6, Perry Hall 1 Ryan Rehman did his best to emulate Tarner as he also had a dominating 82-pitch outing against Perry Hall. Matt Schrader hit a 2-run home run and TJ Deane made a spectacular diving catch in CF that led to a double play to halt a Perry Hall rally.
CM Wright 13, Blake 7 Two-run home runs by Zack Tarner and Matt Schrader and a 2-run double by Jose Flores paced the Bengals to a 6-4 lead after four innings. But Wright's heavy-hitting lineup finaly came to life in the final three innings as they scored nine unanswered runs to win going away.
Bengal Leaders Batting Average: Schrader .534; Tarner .455; Schallhorn .446; Rehman .379; Lorber .354.
Slugging: Schrader 1.000; Tarner .891; Schallhorn .661; Rehman .655
On Base %: Schrader .622; Tarner .537; Schallhorn .556; Rehman .478
Hits: Schrader 31; Tarner 25; Schallhorn 25; Lorber 23; Rehman 22
Runs: Schrade 25; Schallhorn 23; Tarner 22; Lorber 20
RBIs Schallhorn 25; Schrader 20; Rehman 18; Tarner 14
Wins: Tarner 7; Rehman 4; Hanagan 2
Innings: Tarner 60.1; Rehman 46.2; Hanagan 13.1
Strikeouts: Tarnre 66; Rehman 41
ERA: Page 1.62; Tarner 2.32; Hanaga 3.68; Rehman 3.80
23 RECORDS SET DURING SEASON
No team ever looks at losing a title game and considers the season a success. But the Blake Bengals Baseball Team did just that after lowing to CM Wright 13-7 in the 4A North Championship game Friday night at Blake. The game ended a run of a dream season in which the Bengals surprised the entire Montgomery County Baseball coaches and prognosticators by winning 11 regular season games and finishing as the #1 seed in the 4A North for the MAryland State Baseball Tournament.
The Bengals had first round bye and then dominated Thomas Johnson, 4-1, and Perry Hall, 6-1, in setting the stage for the 4A North Regional Championship game against #5 seed CM Wright. Wright had beaten #6 Kenwood, #3 Sherwood, and #2 Parkville to earn the right to play #1 Blake.
"Despite this loss, the season was very satisfying. Nobody in the County gave us a chance at all. We set our minds early that we would prove everybody wrong and we did. We did more than just exceed our goals. We proved that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything."
Blake's final record of 13-6 was the best record since the 2002 team went 14-5 and lost the 3A Regional Final to South Carroll. Since spring break of 2005, the Bengals are 20-9 including post - season play. Blake also set four team records and 19 individual records during the year. Included in the team records was fewest errors, highest fielding percentage, most stolen bases and most doubles in a season.
Matt Schrader ended his Blake career with 20 team records combining single season and career marks. His key final career marks were a .490 batting average, .963 slugging percentage and he tied Alex Udwari with a .553 on base percentage. He holds the record for 18 career home runs as he added two more in the playoffs.
Zack Tarner ended his career with the second best single-season pitching performance in school history. He went 7-1 and had a 2.32 ERA. Hen ended his Blake career as the record holder in career Wins, Starts, Appearances, Innings and Strikeouts. Zack hit a home run in his win over TJ on Monday and will best be remembered for his two-run walk off home run against Paint Branch that gave the Bengals the #1 Seed.
Jose Flores, also had a brilliant career as a catcher. He caught every inning but one in each of the last two years and didn't allow a passed ball the final two months of the season and only allowed 2 in 1,295 pitches.
"These three carried the team on their backs all year. They set their goals high, challenged their teammates to exceed expectations and had the game of their lives in the Regional Final. They went out in a blaze of glory and will go down among the best athletes in school history."
Taylor Schallhorn (Jr. 2b) set the mark with 17 stolen bases on the season and also set a record with seven consecutive hits and reaching base safely 10 consecutive times.
BENGAL WEEK Blake 4, Thomas Johnson 1 Tarner threw only 80 pitches in dominating TJ. He also hit a 2-run home run. The only TJ run was on his own throwing error on a bunt.
Blake 6, Perry Hall 1 Ryan Rehman did his best to emulate Tarner as he also had a dominating 82-pitch outing against Perry Hall. Matt Schrader hit a 2-run home run and TJ Deane made a spectacular diving catch in CF that led to a double play to halt a Perry Hall rally.
CM Wright 13, Blake 7 Two-run home runs by Zack Tarner and Matt Schrader and a 2-run double by Jose Flores paced the Bengals to a 6-4 lead after four innings. But Wright's heavy-hitting lineup finaly came to life in the final three innings as they scored nine unanswered runs to win going away.
Bengal Leaders Batting Average: Schrader .534; Tarner .455; Schallhorn .446; Rehman .379; Lorber .354.
Slugging: Schrader 1.000; Tarner .891; Schallhorn .661; Rehman .655
On Base %: Schrader .622; Tarner .537; Schallhorn .556; Rehman .478
Hits: Schrader 31; Tarner 25; Schallhorn 25; Lorber 23; Rehman 22
Runs: Schrade 25; Schallhorn 23; Tarner 22; Lorber 20
RBIs Schallhorn 25; Schrader 20; Rehman 18; Tarner 14
Wins: Tarner 7; Rehman 4; Hanagan 2
Innings: Tarner 60.1; Rehman 46.2; Hanagan 13.1
Strikeouts: Tarnre 66; Rehman 41
ERA: Page 1.62; Tarner 2.32; Hanaga 3.68; Rehman 3.80
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Lady Bengals to travel to Annapolis
Final Four match-up set for Friday at 6 PM
Blake's Lady Bengals lacrosse team will travel to Annapolis High School on Friday evening to face perennial powerhouse Severna Park in a Maryland 4A State Tournament Semi-final game. The first draw is scheduled for 6 PM. Make the trip to beautiful Annapolis to cheer on the Lady Bengals!
Final Four match-up set for Friday at 6 PM
Blake's Lady Bengals lacrosse team will travel to Annapolis High School on Friday evening to face perennial powerhouse Severna Park in a Maryland 4A State Tournament Semi-final game. The first draw is scheduled for 6 PM. Make the trip to beautiful Annapolis to cheer on the Lady Bengals!
Schrader, Tarner named to All-Star Team
Matt Schrader and Zack Tarner were named to the Montgomery County Senior All-Star team in a vote of the Montgomery County Baseball coaches on Thursday evening.
Tarner received the highest number of votes of any players for their position with 17 of 17 possible votes. In effect, by virtue of their voting, the Montgomery County coaches named Zack the best Senior pitcher in the County in 2006.
Schrader was the second highest vote-getter at 3B with 14 of a possible 17 votes among the voting coaches.
The Senior All-Start game is Thursday night, June 1 at 6:30 PM at Walt Whitman.
Matt Schrader and Zack Tarner were named to the Montgomery County Senior All-Star team in a vote of the Montgomery County Baseball coaches on Thursday evening.
Tarner received the highest number of votes of any players for their position with 17 of 17 possible votes. In effect, by virtue of their voting, the Montgomery County coaches named Zack the best Senior pitcher in the County in 2006.
Schrader was the second highest vote-getter at 3B with 14 of a possible 17 votes among the voting coaches.
The Senior All-Start game is Thursday night, June 1 at 6:30 PM at Walt Whitman.
Bengal Gymnasts take 2nd Straight State Title
Johnson scores career-high in all-around
For the second year in a row, Blake's Lady Bengals gymnasts flipped and tumbled away with the Maryland state gymnastics championship. The team won by a comfortable 10-point margin over second-place Walter Johnson.
A Bengals' gymnast took first in three out of four events. Danae Johnson won her second consecutive state all-around title with a career-best 37.7 points.
Johnson scores career-high in all-around
For the second year in a row, Blake's Lady Bengals gymnasts flipped and tumbled away with the Maryland state gymnastics championship. The team won by a comfortable 10-point margin over second-place Walter Johnson.
A Bengals' gymnast took first in three out of four events. Danae Johnson won her second consecutive state all-around title with a career-best 37.7 points.
Lady Bengals crush rival Sherwood
Girls roar into State Lacrosse Semi-finals
Led by Sammy Allen's 5 goals and 6 assists, Blake's Lady Bengals overwhelmed Sherwood's Lady Warriors by a 15-6 score. The Lady Bengals will be making their first trip to the Maryland 4A Lacrosse Semi-finals.
Other scorers for Blake were Molly Wannen (4G), Rachel Schexnayder (2G, 1A), and single goals from Lauren Yang, Ella Branson, Nicky Wannen and Darin Murray. Molly and Darin also scooped up 6 groundballs each.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the game was Blake’s defensive pressure. Earlier this season, Sherwood had posted 14 goals against the Lady Bengals in a double-overtime game. In their two playoffs games leading up to the regional final, the Lady Warriors had scored 22 and 19 goals, respectively. The Lady Bengals were more than up to the challenge. Led by seniors Colleen Conrad and Meaghan Grenaldo, the defense was stifling, aggressively double-teaming and creating turnovers. Goalies Kelly Arguero and Molly Donaghue held the Lady Warriors to 6 goals on 18 shots.
With Quince Orchard's loss to Westminster, the Lady Bengals will be Montgomery County's lone representative in the State 4A Final Four.
Girls roar into State Lacrosse Semi-finals
Led by Sammy Allen's 5 goals and 6 assists, Blake's Lady Bengals overwhelmed Sherwood's Lady Warriors by a 15-6 score. The Lady Bengals will be making their first trip to the Maryland 4A Lacrosse Semi-finals.
Other scorers for Blake were Molly Wannen (4G), Rachel Schexnayder (2G, 1A), and single goals from Lauren Yang, Ella Branson, Nicky Wannen and Darin Murray. Molly and Darin also scooped up 6 groundballs each.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the game was Blake’s defensive pressure. Earlier this season, Sherwood had posted 14 goals against the Lady Bengals in a double-overtime game. In their two playoffs games leading up to the regional final, the Lady Warriors had scored 22 and 19 goals, respectively. The Lady Bengals were more than up to the challenge. Led by seniors Colleen Conrad and Meaghan Grenaldo, the defense was stifling, aggressively double-teaming and creating turnovers. Goalies Kelly Arguero and Molly Donaghue held the Lady Warriors to 6 goals on 18 shots.
With Quince Orchard's loss to Westminster, the Lady Bengals will be Montgomery County's lone representative in the State 4A Final Four.
Blake Baseball rolls on!
On Wednesday at Blake, the Bengals roared past Baltimore County's Perry Hall by a convincing 6-1 margin. More details as they become available...
On Wednesday at Blake, the Bengals roared past Baltimore County's Perry Hall by a convincing 6-1 margin. More details as they become available...
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 Boys Tennis - Regional Tournament at Northwest HS at 3:30 PM
Softball - Blake plays at CM Wright at 4 PM
Coed Volleyball - Blake plays at home versus Gaithersburg at 5:15 PM
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Baseball - Blake at home versus (winner of today's game between Perry Hall and Dulaney) at 7 PM
Gymnastics - State Meet at B-CC at 5:30 PM
Girls Lacrosse - Blake plays at Sherwood at 5:15 PM
Saturday, May 20, 2006 4A North Regional Track Meet at Woodlawn HS at 10 AM
Monday, May 22, 2006 Spring Athletic Awards Ceremony - (All student athletes at Blake Auditorium at 6:15 PM)
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 Boys Tennis - Regional Tournament at Northwest HS at 3:30 PM
Softball - Blake plays at CM Wright at 4 PM
Coed Volleyball - Blake plays at home versus Gaithersburg at 5:15 PM
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Baseball - Blake at home versus (winner of today's game between Perry Hall and Dulaney) at 7 PM
Gymnastics - State Meet at B-CC at 5:30 PM
Girls Lacrosse - Blake plays at Sherwood at 5:15 PM
Saturday, May 20, 2006 4A North Regional Track Meet at Woodlawn HS at 10 AM
Monday, May 22, 2006 Spring Athletic Awards Ceremony - (All student athletes at Blake Auditorium at 6:15 PM)
Lady Bengals take down Churchill
Convincing 14-11 win moves ladies' lacrosse into Regional Finals
With eight players contributing goals, the Lady Bengals defeated Churchill's Lady Bulldogs in an exciting 14-11 regional semi-final match-up. After Blake scored the opening goal, the Lady Bulldogs created multiple opportunities and built a 3-1 lead. Between successful draw controls and a tighter defense, the Lady Bengals closed out the first half with a 10-5 advantage.
At one point in the second hald, the Lady Bulldogs closed the gap to 2 goals, but the Lady Bengals were able to respond hold their lead. Blake's scoring came from Sammy Allen (3G, 3A), Rahcel Schexnayder (3G, 1A), Lauren Yang (2G), Nicky Wannen (2G), Molly Wannen (1G, 2A), and single goals from Darin Murray, Alicia Galeano and Jessica Stewart.
The win sets up Wednesday's regional final match-up between Blake and the winner of the Sherwood/BCC game.
Convincing 14-11 win moves ladies' lacrosse into Regional Finals
With eight players contributing goals, the Lady Bengals defeated Churchill's Lady Bulldogs in an exciting 14-11 regional semi-final match-up. After Blake scored the opening goal, the Lady Bulldogs created multiple opportunities and built a 3-1 lead. Between successful draw controls and a tighter defense, the Lady Bengals closed out the first half with a 10-5 advantage.
At one point in the second hald, the Lady Bulldogs closed the gap to 2 goals, but the Lady Bengals were able to respond hold their lead. Blake's scoring came from Sammy Allen (3G, 3A), Rahcel Schexnayder (3G, 1A), Lauren Yang (2G), Nicky Wannen (2G), Molly Wannen (1G, 2A), and single goals from Darin Murray, Alicia Galeano and Jessica Stewart.
The win sets up Wednesday's regional final match-up between Blake and the winner of the Sherwood/BCC game.
Blake Baseball moves ahead
Victory drives Bengals deep into playoffs
On Monday night, the home-standing Blake Bengals defeated Thomas Johnson by a score of 4-1. Pitcher Zack Tarner improved his record to 7-0, with a jaw-dropping ERA of 1.78.
Victory drives Bengals deep into playoffs
On Monday night, the home-standing Blake Bengals defeated Thomas Johnson by a score of 4-1. Pitcher Zack Tarner improved his record to 7-0, with a jaw-dropping ERA of 1.78.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Blake Baseball prepares for playoffs
Coach poses the key question: are the Bengals ready?
Now is the time to prove what you have worked for all year - to prove that you are a Champion.
You already proved you can play the game:
You already proved you can play when the stakes are high:
Blake Bengal Baseball.
Game time is 7 PM, Monday.
Are you ready?
Coach poses the key question: are the Bengals ready?
Now is the time to prove what you have worked for all year - to prove that you are a Champion.
You already proved you can play the game:
- Second best batting average in school history.
- Most stolen bases in school history.
- Fewest errors and highest fielding percentage in school history.
- Lowest ERA since the 2001 State Finalist team.
- Many new individual records set from your outstanding performance.
- Most wins since 2002.
- First #1 seed since 2002.
- Biggest defeat the Whitman had in 7 years (per their coach).
- Record of 18-7 since Spring Break last year - .720 winning percentage equivalent to winning 116 games in the Majors.
- Longest winning streak since 2002 (five games)
You already proved you can play when the stakes are high:
- Closest game QO had all year.
- Stopped Moran, who picked off 4 last year for Sherwood.
- Held high-scoring Magruder to 3 runs (they average 12 a game).
- Beat Paint Branch 3-2 with #1 seed on the line.
- A Batting Average of .310 with a count of 0-2 or 1-2 on the batter
Blake Bengal Baseball.
Game time is 7 PM, Monday.
Are you ready?
Lady Bengals lacrosse roars into third round of playoffs
Allen, Yang lead in 12-8 victory over stubborn Lady Patriots
The feared post-prom effect didn't materialize, probably aided by a 6 PM game time as the Lady Bengals faced off against Wootton's Lady Patriots in the second round of the regional playoffs. Unlike Blake's relatively easy early season win, this game was tight throughout as the Lady Patriots were aggressive and quick to double-team, causing problems for Blake's transition game.
Sammy Allen tossed in 4 goals and dished out 6 assists. Senior Lauren Yang contributed 4 goals, including a beautiful shovel shot with her back to the Wootton goal. Rachel Schexnayder and Molly Wannen added 2 goals each, and Meaghan Grenaldo chipped in an assist.
Allen, Yang lead in 12-8 victory over stubborn Lady Patriots
The feared post-prom effect didn't materialize, probably aided by a 6 PM game time as the Lady Bengals faced off against Wootton's Lady Patriots in the second round of the regional playoffs. Unlike Blake's relatively easy early season win, this game was tight throughout as the Lady Patriots were aggressive and quick to double-team, causing problems for Blake's transition game.
Sammy Allen tossed in 4 goals and dished out 6 assists. Senior Lauren Yang contributed 4 goals, including a beautiful shovel shot with her back to the Wootton goal. Rachel Schexnayder and Molly Wannen added 2 goals each, and Meaghan Grenaldo chipped in an assist.
Blake Baseball earns #1 Seed in 4A North
Tarner's dramatic 2-run homer in 7th puts Blake on top; Schrader also homers
The Blake Bengals baseball team earned its first #1 Regional seed since 2002 and prepared to host their first home playoff game on Monday against Thomas Johnson of Frederick, Maryland on a two-run walk off home run by Zack Tarner to beat Paint Branch 3-2.
A dramatic series of events on Monday led to Tarner's winning blast that came with nobody out off of Paint Branch's Chris Carey that gave the Bengals a 3-2 victory and the best record in the 4A North and the top seed for the State Tournament.
Rains from the weekend and early on Monday left the Bengals with a number of decisions. Tied with Sherwood for the top spot with identical 10-4 record, Blake learned early in the day that the Warriors game with Gaithersburg was canceled due to wet grounds. But they also learned that two of the other three schools vieing for the top spot were also canceled. The lone team among the leaders who was playing as of 3 PM on Monday was #3 Parkville of Baltimore County.
So Blake had to make a decision among the following options: 1. Don't play and if Parkville loses, remain tied with Sherwood for the top spot and let a coin flip decide who is the #1 seed; 2. Don't play and If Parkville wins, they become #1 seed and Sherwood and Blake's fate is decided by a coin flip for #2 and #3 seed; 3. Play and lose and fall to #5 seed. 4. Or play and win and be alone at the top.
"You always want to decide this on the field," said Blake Athletic Director Butch Hilliard who made the call. So play they did.
And the Bengals, thanks to Tarner's blast, became the #1 seed and earned their best record also since the 2002 went to the Regional Finals and finished with a 14-5 record.
BENGAL WEEK
Blake 3, Paint Branch 2
On an emotional senor night that honored five senior players including tri-captains Zack Tarner, Matt Schrader and Jose Flores, the Bengals beat their arch-rival and se off a wild celebration at home plate as Tarner touched home with the winning run to cap off a brilliant 4-year varsity career.
After a ceremony that took 20 minutes, including a special presentation to Matt Schrader, who last year, set 13 school records, Paint Branch jumped on the jittery Bengals for a quick 1-0 lead in the first.
Schrader tied the game with a huge home run to left center in the third. Carey elected to throw a 2-0 pitch to Schrader even with two outs and first base open. Schrader sent the pitch deep into the night for his fifth blast of the year and extended his career-record total to 16.
The Panthers picked up an unearned run in the top of the sixth for a 2-1 lead. And after Carey retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth, it appeared that Paint Branch was going to spoil Blake's party.
But Flores led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk on four pitches for his second free pass of the night. Frankie Poulous ran for Flores as a courtesy runner and stole second base when Tarner offered a fake bunt.
On a 1-1 pitch, Tarner blasted a Carey fast ball deep over the LF fence that redeemed himself from last year's loss to Paint Branch when he allowed the winning runs to score on a wild throw following a bunt.
But it did more than that as Tarner's teammates mobbed the senior at home plate in celebration.
Tarner blast also gave him a 6-0 record and earned his 11th career victory, to tie John Schmidt for the Blake record. He also made his 10th appearance this year to tie the single-season record he set last year and tied Ryan Fitzgibbons career mark of 17 starts. His ERA is now 2.04 after the PB game.
Wootton 7, Blake 5
In a game in which both teams primarily used their non-regulars, Wootton scored 3 unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth off of freshman lefty Poulous.
Blake led 4-0 after two with the fourth run featuring a suicide squeeze by freshman SS Jake Lorber that scored Will Messett.
But two two-run home runs by Wootton tied the score after three innings.
Blake took a 5-4 lead when they could only score a run after the bases were loaded with one out.
Wootton came back after two consecutive errors in the Blake infield that could have ended the inning without allowing a run kept Wootton in the game.
Taylor Schallhorn tied a Blake record when he reached base four times via bases on balls.
BENGAL LEADERS
Batting
Batting Average: Schrader .531; ; Schallhorn .568; Tarner .467; Rehman .380; Lorber .375; Flores .319
Hits: Schrader 26; Schallhorn 22; Tarner 21; Lorber 21; Rehman 19; Flores 15; Deane 10
HR: Schrader 5; Tarner 3; Rehman 2; Schallhorn 1
RBI: Schallhron 23; Rehman 17; Schrader 16; Flores 12, Lorber 12; Tarner 10
Slugging: Schrader .939; Tarner .844; Rehman .700; Schallhorn .681
OB%: Schrader .635; Schallhorn .581; Tarner .561; Rehman .475; Lorber .462
Pitching
Wins: Tarner 6; Rehman 3, Hanagan 2
ERA: Tarner 2.04; Rehman 3.56; Hanagan, 3.68
Strikeouts: Tarner 55; Rehman 31
Bengal Quotes
On being the #1 seed: "This was very important for it proved us right. A lot of hard work that began a year ago paid off."
More on being the top seed: " We challenged the team early on to define the kind of team they wanted to be. We asked them to find it, commit to it, believe in it and then make it happen. They wanted to be a champion. And by beating Paint Branch, they became one."
More: "We can't stop here. Now we have to pick it up a notch. It is time for May madness. If we play out game that we know and love, we will be fine and we will go deep into May."
Bengal Week
5/15 - Second round playoffs, vs. Thomas Johnson @ Blake, 7 PM
5/17 - Regional Semi-final playoffs, TBA
5/19 - Regional Final playoffs, TBA
5/23 - State Semi-Final, Bowie Bay Sox Stadium, TBA
5/26 - State Championship, Cal Ripken Stadium, TBA
Tarner's dramatic 2-run homer in 7th puts Blake on top; Schrader also homers
The Blake Bengals baseball team earned its first #1 Regional seed since 2002 and prepared to host their first home playoff game on Monday against Thomas Johnson of Frederick, Maryland on a two-run walk off home run by Zack Tarner to beat Paint Branch 3-2.
A dramatic series of events on Monday led to Tarner's winning blast that came with nobody out off of Paint Branch's Chris Carey that gave the Bengals a 3-2 victory and the best record in the 4A North and the top seed for the State Tournament.
Rains from the weekend and early on Monday left the Bengals with a number of decisions. Tied with Sherwood for the top spot with identical 10-4 record, Blake learned early in the day that the Warriors game with Gaithersburg was canceled due to wet grounds. But they also learned that two of the other three schools vieing for the top spot were also canceled. The lone team among the leaders who was playing as of 3 PM on Monday was #3 Parkville of Baltimore County.
So Blake had to make a decision among the following options: 1. Don't play and if Parkville loses, remain tied with Sherwood for the top spot and let a coin flip decide who is the #1 seed; 2. Don't play and If Parkville wins, they become #1 seed and Sherwood and Blake's fate is decided by a coin flip for #2 and #3 seed; 3. Play and lose and fall to #5 seed. 4. Or play and win and be alone at the top.
"You always want to decide this on the field," said Blake Athletic Director Butch Hilliard who made the call. So play they did.
And the Bengals, thanks to Tarner's blast, became the #1 seed and earned their best record also since the 2002 went to the Regional Finals and finished with a 14-5 record.
BENGAL WEEK
Blake 3, Paint Branch 2
On an emotional senor night that honored five senior players including tri-captains Zack Tarner, Matt Schrader and Jose Flores, the Bengals beat their arch-rival and se off a wild celebration at home plate as Tarner touched home with the winning run to cap off a brilliant 4-year varsity career.
After a ceremony that took 20 minutes, including a special presentation to Matt Schrader, who last year, set 13 school records, Paint Branch jumped on the jittery Bengals for a quick 1-0 lead in the first.
Schrader tied the game with a huge home run to left center in the third. Carey elected to throw a 2-0 pitch to Schrader even with two outs and first base open. Schrader sent the pitch deep into the night for his fifth blast of the year and extended his career-record total to 16.
The Panthers picked up an unearned run in the top of the sixth for a 2-1 lead. And after Carey retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth, it appeared that Paint Branch was going to spoil Blake's party.
But Flores led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk on four pitches for his second free pass of the night. Frankie Poulous ran for Flores as a courtesy runner and stole second base when Tarner offered a fake bunt.
On a 1-1 pitch, Tarner blasted a Carey fast ball deep over the LF fence that redeemed himself from last year's loss to Paint Branch when he allowed the winning runs to score on a wild throw following a bunt.
But it did more than that as Tarner's teammates mobbed the senior at home plate in celebration.
Tarner blast also gave him a 6-0 record and earned his 11th career victory, to tie John Schmidt for the Blake record. He also made his 10th appearance this year to tie the single-season record he set last year and tied Ryan Fitzgibbons career mark of 17 starts. His ERA is now 2.04 after the PB game.
Wootton 7, Blake 5
In a game in which both teams primarily used their non-regulars, Wootton scored 3 unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth off of freshman lefty Poulous.
Blake led 4-0 after two with the fourth run featuring a suicide squeeze by freshman SS Jake Lorber that scored Will Messett.
But two two-run home runs by Wootton tied the score after three innings.
Blake took a 5-4 lead when they could only score a run after the bases were loaded with one out.
Wootton came back after two consecutive errors in the Blake infield that could have ended the inning without allowing a run kept Wootton in the game.
Taylor Schallhorn tied a Blake record when he reached base four times via bases on balls.
BENGAL LEADERS
Batting
Batting Average: Schrader .531; ; Schallhorn .568; Tarner .467; Rehman .380; Lorber .375; Flores .319
Hits: Schrader 26; Schallhorn 22; Tarner 21; Lorber 21; Rehman 19; Flores 15; Deane 10
HR: Schrader 5; Tarner 3; Rehman 2; Schallhorn 1
RBI: Schallhron 23; Rehman 17; Schrader 16; Flores 12, Lorber 12; Tarner 10
Slugging: Schrader .939; Tarner .844; Rehman .700; Schallhorn .681
OB%: Schrader .635; Schallhorn .581; Tarner .561; Rehman .475; Lorber .462
Pitching
Wins: Tarner 6; Rehman 3, Hanagan 2
ERA: Tarner 2.04; Rehman 3.56; Hanagan, 3.68
Strikeouts: Tarner 55; Rehman 31
Bengal Quotes
On being the #1 seed: "This was very important for it proved us right. A lot of hard work that began a year ago paid off."
More on being the top seed: " We challenged the team early on to define the kind of team they wanted to be. We asked them to find it, commit to it, believe in it and then make it happen. They wanted to be a champion. And by beating Paint Branch, they became one."
More: "We can't stop here. Now we have to pick it up a notch. It is time for May madness. If we play out game that we know and love, we will be fine and we will go deep into May."
Bengal Week
5/15 - Second round playoffs, vs. Thomas Johnson @ Blake, 7 PM
5/17 - Regional Semi-final playoffs, TBA
5/19 - Regional Final playoffs, TBA
5/23 - State Semi-Final, Bowie Bay Sox Stadium, TBA
5/26 - State Championship, Cal Ripken Stadium, TBA
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Baseball Team Wins to Earn #1 Seed in 4A North
Zack Tarner hit a 2-run homer with no outs in the bottom of the seventh to give Blake a 3-2 victory over Paint Branch and carry the Bengals to the #1 seed in the 4A North in the upcoming Maryland State Baseball Tournament.
Tarner threw a complete game 6-hitter for the Bengals and improved his record to 6-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.04.
Blake is 11-4 on the season, the most wins since the 2002 season.
Zack Tarner hit a 2-run homer with no outs in the bottom of the seventh to give Blake a 3-2 victory over Paint Branch and carry the Bengals to the #1 seed in the 4A North in the upcoming Maryland State Baseball Tournament.
Tarner threw a complete game 6-hitter for the Bengals and improved his record to 6-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.04.
Blake is 11-4 on the season, the most wins since the 2002 season.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Ladies' Lacrosse Continues to Dominate
Paint Branch falls 17-5 to red-hot Lady Bengals
Whether they were distracted by thoughts of that night's concert was hard to tell, but early in the game against Paint Branch, the Lady Bengals found themselves losing 2-0. Re-focused, the Lady Bengals poured it on and led 10-3 at the half on their way to a overpowering 17-5 win.
Sammy Allen led all scorers with 5 goals and 3 assists. Molly Wannen contributed 4 goals, while Rachel Schexnayder added 3 goals and 1 assist. Ella Branson scored twice, and single goals were scored by April Hartman, Amie Dechter, and Nicky Wannen. Jessica Stewart and Kerry Irion added an assist each.
Paint Branch falls 17-5 to red-hot Lady Bengals
Whether they were distracted by thoughts of that night's concert was hard to tell, but early in the game against Paint Branch, the Lady Bengals found themselves losing 2-0. Re-focused, the Lady Bengals poured it on and led 10-3 at the half on their way to a overpowering 17-5 win.
Sammy Allen led all scorers with 5 goals and 3 assists. Molly Wannen contributed 4 goals, while Rachel Schexnayder added 3 goals and 1 assist. Ella Branson scored twice, and single goals were scored by April Hartman, Amie Dechter, and Nicky Wannen. Jessica Stewart and Kerry Irion added an assist each.
A Great Story from Bengals' Baseball
Coach tells a heart-warming story
This has been a great baseball season for Blake. The team is 9-4 and in 2nd place in the Region for the State Tournament. But that isn't what matters to me. Please read the story below.
Last night in our game against Kennedy, we were leading 9-1 in the 5th with the bases loaded and one down. Matt Schrader, our cleanup hitter, was coming up. There was a chance that he would end the game right there (10-run mercy rule after 5 innings). I was coaching 3rd base. Now here is where the story gets interesting.
I called time and asked our Schrader to NOT GET A HIT and MAKE AN OUT (note that he is batting .571 for the year and will likely get drafted by a Major League Team). He looked at me strange, but he did what I said. Then, I sent up our Manager, Michael Do, who is autistic, to come to bat. He is officially on our roster so it was legal. We told him throughout the season to always be ready. He would do soft toss between innings, play catch, etc., just on the oft chance that he would get into a game.
With two outs and the bases loaded, I went to the next hitter and told him he would be pinch hit for, but would go back out in the game at SS. I called out for Michael to grab his bat and helmet. He just stared at me from the dugout. I said: "Michael, you're up!" The team helped him get a helmet and a bat and he ran to the plate. Nobody knew this was going to happen but Jon Green and me. And we handled it like he was any other player.
The PA announcer introduced him into the game. The fans went wild. The team cheered him on.
I talked to him for a minute to give him some last-second hitting instruction and then he went up to bat. I told him to step out and I gave him a sign to hit away.
He then stood in there and worked the count to 2-2 (he didn't swing at anything, but he managed to not swing at 2 balls out of the zone, too). The next pitch went right down the middle. The umpire hesitated, looked at me, and I nodded my head. The umpire rang up a dramatic strike three. It didn't matter. He got an official AT BAT and is now on the stat page.
And he gets a letter. And he, and everyone there, will have a memory that will last a lifetime.
Kennedy's coach came over at the change of innings and, with tears in his eyes, apologized for striking him out. I hugged him and said, "You have to play the game right. I hoped that your pitcher would give him something to hit and he did. Thank you."
Today, he is walking around carrying the ball from his strikeout like it was HR # 756 to break Aaron's record. And he has a photo taken from his at-bat that was sent out by email late last night.
Now here is the best part. After the game, I asked the seniors to fill out a sheet with information for Senior Night. Here is what he wrote:
Best Memory of Blake Baseball: "Being part of the first team I ever made and watching them play like a winner. Even though I didn't make the cut, I like to go to practice two times a week and helping the team."
Future plans: "I am going to Montgomery College. I will still do baseball in college as an activity. My dream is to teach other Asians how to play baseball."
Coach tells a heart-warming story
This has been a great baseball season for Blake. The team is 9-4 and in 2nd place in the Region for the State Tournament. But that isn't what matters to me. Please read the story below.
Last night in our game against Kennedy, we were leading 9-1 in the 5th with the bases loaded and one down. Matt Schrader, our cleanup hitter, was coming up. There was a chance that he would end the game right there (10-run mercy rule after 5 innings). I was coaching 3rd base. Now here is where the story gets interesting.
I called time and asked our Schrader to NOT GET A HIT and MAKE AN OUT (note that he is batting .571 for the year and will likely get drafted by a Major League Team). He looked at me strange, but he did what I said. Then, I sent up our Manager, Michael Do, who is autistic, to come to bat. He is officially on our roster so it was legal. We told him throughout the season to always be ready. He would do soft toss between innings, play catch, etc., just on the oft chance that he would get into a game.
With two outs and the bases loaded, I went to the next hitter and told him he would be pinch hit for, but would go back out in the game at SS. I called out for Michael to grab his bat and helmet. He just stared at me from the dugout. I said: "Michael, you're up!" The team helped him get a helmet and a bat and he ran to the plate. Nobody knew this was going to happen but Jon Green and me. And we handled it like he was any other player.
The PA announcer introduced him into the game. The fans went wild. The team cheered him on.
I talked to him for a minute to give him some last-second hitting instruction and then he went up to bat. I told him to step out and I gave him a sign to hit away.
He then stood in there and worked the count to 2-2 (he didn't swing at anything, but he managed to not swing at 2 balls out of the zone, too). The next pitch went right down the middle. The umpire hesitated, looked at me, and I nodded my head. The umpire rang up a dramatic strike three. It didn't matter. He got an official AT BAT and is now on the stat page.
And he gets a letter. And he, and everyone there, will have a memory that will last a lifetime.
Kennedy's coach came over at the change of innings and, with tears in his eyes, apologized for striking him out. I hugged him and said, "You have to play the game right. I hoped that your pitcher would give him something to hit and he did. Thank you."
Today, he is walking around carrying the ball from his strikeout like it was HR # 756 to break Aaron's record. And he has a photo taken from his at-bat that was sent out by email late last night.
Now here is the best part. After the game, I asked the seniors to fill out a sheet with information for Senior Night. Here is what he wrote:
Best Memory of Blake Baseball: "Being part of the first team I ever made and watching them play like a winner. Even though I didn't make the cut, I like to go to practice two times a week and helping the team."
Future plans: "I am going to Montgomery College. I will still do baseball in college as an activity. My dream is to teach other Asians how to play baseball."
Lacrosse: Lady Bengals roll past the Lady Cavaliers
Blake continues to roll with a 16-5 victory
On Senior Night, Blake's Lady Bengals scored an impressive 16-5 win over the Kennedy Lady Cavaliers. Blake's scoring was led by Sammy Allen (4 G, 4 A), Molly Wannen (3 G), Rachel Schexnayder (2 G, 1 A), Colleen Conrad (2 G, 1 A), Alicia Galeano (2 G, 1 A), and single goals by Meaghan Grenaldo, Lauren Yang, and Nicky Wannen. Single assists were recorded by Nicky Wannen and Kelly Parker.
Defensive leaders Colleen Conrad and Meaghan Grenaldo not only contributed on the offensive end, but anchored a defense that held the Lady Cavaliers to 12 shots.
Blake continues to roll with a 16-5 victory
On Senior Night, Blake's Lady Bengals scored an impressive 16-5 win over the Kennedy Lady Cavaliers. Blake's scoring was led by Sammy Allen (4 G, 4 A), Molly Wannen (3 G), Rachel Schexnayder (2 G, 1 A), Colleen Conrad (2 G, 1 A), Alicia Galeano (2 G, 1 A), and single goals by Meaghan Grenaldo, Lauren Yang, and Nicky Wannen. Single assists were recorded by Nicky Wannen and Kelly Parker.
Defensive leaders Colleen Conrad and Meaghan Grenaldo not only contributed on the offensive end, but anchored a defense that held the Lady Cavaliers to 12 shots.
Bengals spank Rockville
Records set in 10-1 victory
As the Bengals defeated Rockville by a score of 10-1, Matt Schrader set the a new Blake career HR record with Home Runs # 14 and 15 of his career, his third and fourth of the season. He also extended his year-long hitting streak to 21 games. Schrader broke the record of former All-Met and All-County star Hans Falkenhan (Sr. at Towson), who played at Blake from 2000-2002. Matt is now batting .578 on the season with an OB% of .660 and is slugging 1.026. During his hitting streak he is .608 (45 for 74) with 12 HR and 41 RBI.
Jake Lorber tied the single season record at Blake for most HBP. One more and he has the single-season record by himself and is tied for the career record.
Records set in 10-1 victory
As the Bengals defeated Rockville by a score of 10-1, Matt Schrader set the a new Blake career HR record with Home Runs # 14 and 15 of his career, his third and fourth of the season. He also extended his year-long hitting streak to 21 games. Schrader broke the record of former All-Met and All-County star Hans Falkenhan (Sr. at Towson), who played at Blake from 2000-2002. Matt is now batting .578 on the season with an OB% of .660 and is slugging 1.026. During his hitting streak he is .608 (45 for 74) with 12 HR and 41 RBI.
Jake Lorber tied the single season record at Blake for most HBP. One more and he has the single-season record by himself and is tied for the career record.
Monday, May 01, 2006
The Examiner highlights two Lady Bengals
Allen and Arguero recognized as Lacrosse Stars of the Week
On May 1, Juniors Sammy Allen and Kelly Arguero were named All-Examiner Lacrosse Stars of the Week. During a 5-day span, the team went on a tear, beating Damascus 8-7, Springbrook 12-6 and Margruder 9-3.
In the 3 games, Sammy Allen scored 12 goals and chipped in 7 assists. Against Margruder's Lady Colonels, Allen scored the 100th goal of her career.
Goalkeeper Kelly Arguero held Blake's 3 opponents to their respective season lows in those three matches, stopping over 60% of the opponents' shots.
Congratulations, ladies!
Allen and Arguero recognized as Lacrosse Stars of the Week
On May 1, Juniors Sammy Allen and Kelly Arguero were named All-Examiner Lacrosse Stars of the Week. During a 5-day span, the team went on a tear, beating Damascus 8-7, Springbrook 12-6 and Margruder 9-3.
In the 3 games, Sammy Allen scored 12 goals and chipped in 7 assists. Against Margruder's Lady Colonels, Allen scored the 100th goal of her career.
Goalkeeper Kelly Arguero held Blake's 3 opponents to their respective season lows in those three matches, stopping over 60% of the opponents' shots.
Congratulations, ladies!
Lady Bengals blast Magruder
Allen scores 100th career goal
The Lady Bengals hadn't forgotten last year's frustrating loss to Magruder's Lady Colonels. After a slow-moving first half ended with Blake up 4-2, the Lady Bengals outscored Magruder by a comfortable 5-1 margin in the second half, coming away with a convincing 9-3 victory.
The Lady Bengals were led by Sammy Allen's 3 goals and 3 assists. Rachel Schexnayder posted 3 goals and 1 assist, with Molly Wannen also contributing goals. The Lady Bengals defensive effort was outstanding, holding Magruder to 17 shots, with goalkeepers Kelly Arguero and Molly Donaghue combining to hold the Lady Colonels to 3 goals.
Allen scores 100th career goal
The Lady Bengals hadn't forgotten last year's frustrating loss to Magruder's Lady Colonels. After a slow-moving first half ended with Blake up 4-2, the Lady Bengals outscored Magruder by a comfortable 5-1 margin in the second half, coming away with a convincing 9-3 victory.
The Lady Bengals were led by Sammy Allen's 3 goals and 3 assists. Rachel Schexnayder posted 3 goals and 1 assist, with Molly Wannen also contributing goals. The Lady Bengals defensive effort was outstanding, holding Magruder to 17 shots, with goalkeepers Kelly Arguero and Molly Donaghue combining to hold the Lady Colonels to 3 goals.
Bengals fine-tuning for long playoff run
7-4 best record through April since 2002
A casual observer of the Blake baseball team statistics for the week would thing the Bengals would be satisfied with their performance as they prepare for the playoffs that start in mid-May.
But of all the things they did right during the week, the one thing they did wrong could be a blessing in disguise as the team builds momentum for the playoffs.
Blake had one goal when the season started: to go deep into the playoffs.
With their impressive week, posting convincing wins over Northwest and Einstein, one would think Blake was poised for a long run in May. The Bengals lifted their record to 7-4, making the mark the best record at the end of April for the Blake baseball team since the 2002 season.
During the week, the Bengal pitching staff was dominant as it posted a 1.47 ERA in the three games and held opponents to a .215 batting average. Blake batters hit .385 for the week and scored 22 runs in three games. And the stifling Blake defense only had 3 errors for the week as they continue on a pace to be the best defensive team in Blake history.
But the lone loss of the week was the one game that could prepare the Bengals the most for the playoffs. League rival Magruder squeaked out a 3-2 victory over the Bengals as the Colonels pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning for the win. Blake pitching had held the high-scoring Colonels to just five hits in the contest.
That is the game the Bengals will remember and will use as their motivation as they prepare for the playoffs.
"That one game mad us an angry team," said co-coach Steve Murfin. "It is a game we wanted. It is a game we could have and should have won. We will play tough games like that in the playoffs. We learned from that game. And we don't want to lose another one like that."
If the Bengals are going to play an extended season, they should be able to rely on their three senior captains who continue to lead the team with outstanding performances.
Zack Tarner picked up two wins and is 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA. On his way to becoming one of the best pitchers in Blake history, Tarner set another career pitching record as he passed Kevin Cunningham by throwing his 108th career inning on Saturday. Two more Blake records are on the horizon as he is just 10 strikeouts from the career record (Kevin Cunningham 112) and is just two wins away from becoming the all-time Blake leader in pitching victories (Schmidt 11). If Blake can go deep in the playoffs, Tarner could surpass the single-season record for victories, too (Cunningham 8).
Matt Schrader extended his year-long hitting streak to 20 games by leading off the victory over Einstein with a home run. He had five hits for the week and is batting .571 (20 for 35) and slugging .886. His impressive on-base percentage of .651 is part due to his eagle-eye at the plate and part due to teams pitching around him. He is just two home runs shy of setting the all-time Blake record for a career.
But pitching around Schrader can be dangerous as the next four hitters in the lineup are batting over .333. Freshman SS Jake Lorber (.359), Junior 2b Taylor Schallhorn (.441) and Sophomore OF/LHP Ryan Rehman (.385) lead a Bengal attack that is batting .360.
Quietly, Jose Flores may be the most important of the group. Batting .333, he bring up the rear of the Bengal Murderers Row. More impressive is that he has not allowed a PB or a WP in the last 8 games. But it is the intangible - his management of the Bengal pitching staff that may make the difference in the Bengal run for the playoffs.
"Those three lead by example better than anyone in the entire Blake athletic program. The make commitments to themselves and the team. They deliver on and off the field. After the loss to Magruder, they stood up and said 'never again'. And everyone believes them."
Blake needs three wins for its first double-digit win season since 2003 and four wins to have the best record since 2002.
But most important, the Bengals want to secure their first post-season win since 2003.
Bengal Week
Blake 5, Northwest 1
Zack Tarner spotted Northwest a run in the top of the first inning. And then the Bengals responded with three in their half of the first en route to a 5-1 victory.
Tarner struck out 10, the best single-game performance of his career, and walked two in throwing 110 pitches.
Northwest threatened in every inning, but Tarner stepped up when it counted. Nine of Tarner's strikeouts came after the third inning. He retired the side on strikeouts in the fourth after Northwest loaded the bases on three consecutive hits.
Blake expanded it's 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth on consecutive doubles by Jake Lorber and Taylor Schallhorn followed by an RBI single by Jose Flores.
Tarner finished off his outstanding performance by striking out the final two batters of the game.
Magruder 3, Blake 2
A two-out, full count, bases-loaded walk by Sophomore RHP James Page in the bottom of the seventh forced in the winning run as Magruder edged the Bengals at Magruder.
Blake took an early lead on Zack Tarner's second-inning home run to start the scoring. The Bengals added a run in the fourth as Mike Schmidt, running for Jose Flores ran home on a wild pitch.
The 2-0 Blake lead looked like it would hold up as Sophomore LHP Ryan Rehman was cruising along with a no-hitter through four innings. But Matt Sweeny opening the fifth with a triple. A single and a sacrifice fly enabled the Colonels to tie the score in the inning.
Page relived Rehman in the sixth and worked out of a jam with two strikeouts to end a based-loaded threat.
Blake 15, Einstein 0 (5 innings)
The Bengals took out their frustration from the Magruder loss on Einstein as they banged out 17 hits including five players who had multiple-hit games.
Taylor Schallhorn led the Bengals with a four-for-four day and knocked in four runs. His keystone mate, Jake Lorber had three hits and tri-captains, Matt Schrader, Zack Tarner and Jose Flores each had two hits.
Schrader led off the game with his second home run of the year and went two for three with two RBIs.
Tarner picked up his fifth win with a two-hit performance including six strikeouts over four innings of work.
Bengal Notes
Blake is 14-6 in their last 20 regular season games (.700)
The last time Blake had seven wins before the end of April was 2002 when they went 10-0 to start the season.
The team batting average of .360 is the highest batting average this late in the season since 2002 when the team batted .358 for the year.
Opponents are batting .254 against Blake pitching, but only .215 for the week last week.
Blake's team ERA for the year is 2.99, the best team ERA since the 2001 team (1.47).
Blake's team ERA for the week was 1.47.
Matt Schrader continued his 20-game hitting streak by getting a single in the Northwest and Magruder game and going two for three vs. Einstein.
During the hitting streak, Schrader is batting .605 with 57 RBI and 10 HR.
Schrader is two HR shy of breaking the Blake career record.
Tarner now holds Blake pitching records for appearances (27) and innings pitched (108).
Blake has seven regulars in the lineup hitting .333 or better.
Blake has 19 errors in 11 games (1.73 per game). They are on pace to break the Blake single-season record for fewest errors and for fielding percentage.
Blake has four games this year with no errors.
Bengal Quotes
On the Blake week: "We continue to play sound baseball in the three main facets of the game - pitching, defense and hitting." . That will help us win games down the stretch.
On the Magruder loss: "That one game mad us an angry team," It is a game we wanted. It is a game we could have and should have won. We will play tough games like that in the playoffs. We learned from that game. And we don't want to lose another one like that."
More on the Magruder game: "Through it all, we grew up as a team. We played a good team tough. We shut down a high-scoring team. Although he lost the game, James Page made some big pitches and got some big outs in that game. We all learned what it takes to win. And we learned we don't want to lose again."
On the upcoming finish to the season: "Our schedule favors us to get hot as the regular season winds down and the post season cranks up."
On the senior tri-captains Jose Flores, Matt Schrader and Zack Tarner: "Those three lead by example better than anyone in the entire Blake athletic program. The make commitments to themselves and the team. They deliver on and off the field. After the loss to Magruder, they stood up and said 'never again'. And everyone believes them."
On the rest of the team: "This team has a great group of baseball players. For most of them, this is the only sport they play. The love the game, they know the game and they can really play the game. "
On the starting position players which features one freshman, two sophomores and two juniors with no varsity playing experience: "They are young, but your wouldn't know it. They play the game like they have played together for a lifetime."
Bengal Leaders
Batting
Batting Average: Schrader .571; Tarner .469; Schallhorn .41; Rehman .368; Lorber .359; Flores .333
Hits: Schrader 20; Tarner 15; Schallhorn 15; Rehman 14; Lorber 14; Flores 11
HR: Schrader 2, Tarner 2
RBI: Schallhron 14, Schrader 13, Rehman 12; Flores 9, Lorber 8
Slugging: Schrader .886; Tarner .844; Schallhorn .676; Lorber .658
Pitching
Wins: Tarner 5; Rehman 2
ERA: Tarner 2.22; Page 3.00; Rehman 3.82
Strikeouts: Tarner 46; Rehman 23
Bengal Week
5/2 - Rockville at Blake, 7 PM
5/4 - Kennedy at Blake, 7 PM
5/7 - Blake at Churchill, 1:30 PM
Bengal Alumni
Alex Udwari finished his junior year at Belmont Abbey (NCAA Div II) leading the team in batting with a .391 av
7-4 best record through April since 2002
A casual observer of the Blake baseball team statistics for the week would thing the Bengals would be satisfied with their performance as they prepare for the playoffs that start in mid-May.
But of all the things they did right during the week, the one thing they did wrong could be a blessing in disguise as the team builds momentum for the playoffs.
Blake had one goal when the season started: to go deep into the playoffs.
With their impressive week, posting convincing wins over Northwest and Einstein, one would think Blake was poised for a long run in May. The Bengals lifted their record to 7-4, making the mark the best record at the end of April for the Blake baseball team since the 2002 season.
During the week, the Bengal pitching staff was dominant as it posted a 1.47 ERA in the three games and held opponents to a .215 batting average. Blake batters hit .385 for the week and scored 22 runs in three games. And the stifling Blake defense only had 3 errors for the week as they continue on a pace to be the best defensive team in Blake history.
But the lone loss of the week was the one game that could prepare the Bengals the most for the playoffs. League rival Magruder squeaked out a 3-2 victory over the Bengals as the Colonels pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning for the win. Blake pitching had held the high-scoring Colonels to just five hits in the contest.
That is the game the Bengals will remember and will use as their motivation as they prepare for the playoffs.
"That one game mad us an angry team," said co-coach Steve Murfin. "It is a game we wanted. It is a game we could have and should have won. We will play tough games like that in the playoffs. We learned from that game. And we don't want to lose another one like that."
If the Bengals are going to play an extended season, they should be able to rely on their three senior captains who continue to lead the team with outstanding performances.
Zack Tarner picked up two wins and is 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA. On his way to becoming one of the best pitchers in Blake history, Tarner set another career pitching record as he passed Kevin Cunningham by throwing his 108th career inning on Saturday. Two more Blake records are on the horizon as he is just 10 strikeouts from the career record (Kevin Cunningham 112) and is just two wins away from becoming the all-time Blake leader in pitching victories (Schmidt 11). If Blake can go deep in the playoffs, Tarner could surpass the single-season record for victories, too (Cunningham 8).
Matt Schrader extended his year-long hitting streak to 20 games by leading off the victory over Einstein with a home run. He had five hits for the week and is batting .571 (20 for 35) and slugging .886. His impressive on-base percentage of .651 is part due to his eagle-eye at the plate and part due to teams pitching around him. He is just two home runs shy of setting the all-time Blake record for a career.
But pitching around Schrader can be dangerous as the next four hitters in the lineup are batting over .333. Freshman SS Jake Lorber (.359), Junior 2b Taylor Schallhorn (.441) and Sophomore OF/LHP Ryan Rehman (.385) lead a Bengal attack that is batting .360.
Quietly, Jose Flores may be the most important of the group. Batting .333, he bring up the rear of the Bengal Murderers Row. More impressive is that he has not allowed a PB or a WP in the last 8 games. But it is the intangible - his management of the Bengal pitching staff that may make the difference in the Bengal run for the playoffs.
"Those three lead by example better than anyone in the entire Blake athletic program. The make commitments to themselves and the team. They deliver on and off the field. After the loss to Magruder, they stood up and said 'never again'. And everyone believes them."
Blake needs three wins for its first double-digit win season since 2003 and four wins to have the best record since 2002.
But most important, the Bengals want to secure their first post-season win since 2003.
Bengal Week
Blake 5, Northwest 1
Zack Tarner spotted Northwest a run in the top of the first inning. And then the Bengals responded with three in their half of the first en route to a 5-1 victory.
Tarner struck out 10, the best single-game performance of his career, and walked two in throwing 110 pitches.
Northwest threatened in every inning, but Tarner stepped up when it counted. Nine of Tarner's strikeouts came after the third inning. He retired the side on strikeouts in the fourth after Northwest loaded the bases on three consecutive hits.
Blake expanded it's 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth on consecutive doubles by Jake Lorber and Taylor Schallhorn followed by an RBI single by Jose Flores.
Tarner finished off his outstanding performance by striking out the final two batters of the game.
Magruder 3, Blake 2
A two-out, full count, bases-loaded walk by Sophomore RHP James Page in the bottom of the seventh forced in the winning run as Magruder edged the Bengals at Magruder.
Blake took an early lead on Zack Tarner's second-inning home run to start the scoring. The Bengals added a run in the fourth as Mike Schmidt, running for Jose Flores ran home on a wild pitch.
The 2-0 Blake lead looked like it would hold up as Sophomore LHP Ryan Rehman was cruising along with a no-hitter through four innings. But Matt Sweeny opening the fifth with a triple. A single and a sacrifice fly enabled the Colonels to tie the score in the inning.
Page relived Rehman in the sixth and worked out of a jam with two strikeouts to end a based-loaded threat.
Blake 15, Einstein 0 (5 innings)
The Bengals took out their frustration from the Magruder loss on Einstein as they banged out 17 hits including five players who had multiple-hit games.
Taylor Schallhorn led the Bengals with a four-for-four day and knocked in four runs. His keystone mate, Jake Lorber had three hits and tri-captains, Matt Schrader, Zack Tarner and Jose Flores each had two hits.
Schrader led off the game with his second home run of the year and went two for three with two RBIs.
Tarner picked up his fifth win with a two-hit performance including six strikeouts over four innings of work.
Bengal Notes
Blake is 14-6 in their last 20 regular season games (.700)
The last time Blake had seven wins before the end of April was 2002 when they went 10-0 to start the season.
The team batting average of .360 is the highest batting average this late in the season since 2002 when the team batted .358 for the year.
Opponents are batting .254 against Blake pitching, but only .215 for the week last week.
Blake's team ERA for the year is 2.99, the best team ERA since the 2001 team (1.47).
Blake's team ERA for the week was 1.47.
Matt Schrader continued his 20-game hitting streak by getting a single in the Northwest and Magruder game and going two for three vs. Einstein.
During the hitting streak, Schrader is batting .605 with 57 RBI and 10 HR.
Schrader is two HR shy of breaking the Blake career record.
Tarner now holds Blake pitching records for appearances (27) and innings pitched (108).
Blake has seven regulars in the lineup hitting .333 or better.
Blake has 19 errors in 11 games (1.73 per game). They are on pace to break the Blake single-season record for fewest errors and for fielding percentage.
Blake has four games this year with no errors.
Bengal Quotes
On the Blake week: "We continue to play sound baseball in the three main facets of the game - pitching, defense and hitting." . That will help us win games down the stretch.
On the Magruder loss: "That one game mad us an angry team," It is a game we wanted. It is a game we could have and should have won. We will play tough games like that in the playoffs. We learned from that game. And we don't want to lose another one like that."
More on the Magruder game: "Through it all, we grew up as a team. We played a good team tough. We shut down a high-scoring team. Although he lost the game, James Page made some big pitches and got some big outs in that game. We all learned what it takes to win. And we learned we don't want to lose again."
On the upcoming finish to the season: "Our schedule favors us to get hot as the regular season winds down and the post season cranks up."
On the senior tri-captains Jose Flores, Matt Schrader and Zack Tarner: "Those three lead by example better than anyone in the entire Blake athletic program. The make commitments to themselves and the team. They deliver on and off the field. After the loss to Magruder, they stood up and said 'never again'. And everyone believes them."
On the rest of the team: "This team has a great group of baseball players. For most of them, this is the only sport they play. The love the game, they know the game and they can really play the game. "
On the starting position players which features one freshman, two sophomores and two juniors with no varsity playing experience: "They are young, but your wouldn't know it. They play the game like they have played together for a lifetime."
Bengal Leaders
Batting
Batting Average: Schrader .571; Tarner .469; Schallhorn .41; Rehman .368; Lorber .359; Flores .333
Hits: Schrader 20; Tarner 15; Schallhorn 15; Rehman 14; Lorber 14; Flores 11
HR: Schrader 2, Tarner 2
RBI: Schallhron 14, Schrader 13, Rehman 12; Flores 9, Lorber 8
Slugging: Schrader .886; Tarner .844; Schallhorn .676; Lorber .658
Pitching
Wins: Tarner 5; Rehman 2
ERA: Tarner 2.22; Page 3.00; Rehman 3.82
Strikeouts: Tarner 46; Rehman 23
Bengal Week
5/2 - Rockville at Blake, 7 PM
5/4 - Kennedy at Blake, 7 PM
5/7 - Blake at Churchill, 1:30 PM
Bengal Alumni
Alex Udwari finished his junior year at Belmont Abbey (NCAA Div II) leading the team in batting with a .391 av
