Jack Abell played Friday night against a tough Uniform Village team in their second game of the Pepsi tournament Friday night, losing 7-6 after making a nice comeback against a tough team.
Abells defense struggled early again, giving up an unearned run in the first, but managed to tie the game on some aggressive base running by Trenton Swan. After a scoreless second innning, UV put together several good hits to score three runs and take a lead. They added two more in the fourth before Abell mounted a late game comeback Hits by Colton and Caleb Sivic brought a run in as the UV pitching began to struggle with control. Several walks pushed across another run, then some 6th inning hustling brought home a few more runs as Swan and Broadway had 6th inning RBI's. UV though had the heart of the lineup up in the bottom of the 6th inning and put together two hits to take the win. Still, it was a much better effort for Abell as they prepare for the regular season.
Abell went right back to the field on Saturday morning to take on Perma Seal. A three run blast by Perma Seals first baseman put them up 3-0 and they never looked back. Abell cut the lead to 6-3 in the fifth nd had the heart of the line up but good pitching by PS shut down JA. Dispite the loss, it as probably the best game the JA played as they didn't commit any errors ; additionally, nearly every Abell batter put the ball in play. Good fielding by the PS defense kept JA off of the basepaths. Trenton Swan had a triple for JA and both Nate Condor and Chad Broadway had two hits each.
Abell's season opens up Monday against Barrellville.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Abell Returns to Action for 09
The Jack Abell baseball team began the new year where they left off in 2008--with a win.
Abell opened up the 09 season with a new cast of players as they started play in the Pepsi tournament in Cresaptown against last year's runner up- Farraday Post. Although Abell pulled out an 11-8 victory in 7 innings, it was a very sloppy win that Abell must improve on.
Nate Condor started on the mound for Abell and although he gave up just one hit in three innings, Farraday scored 4 runs as Abell made several errors in the field. Fortunatley, Abell hit the ball well with 9 total hits. With two outs in the first, Condor beat out an infield hit and was driven home on a Colton Sivic double. Although JA fell behind after one inning, they rallied for runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings to take an 8-4 lead. Colton Sivic was huge with bat all day as he went 4-4, with two doubles and two triples. Caleb Sivic had a big hit in his first game for the majors, driving in a run. All 9 Abell players scored. Still, Farrady scored 3 runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to tie. Abell scored three runs in the top of the 7th on hits by Condor and Sivic after a walk to Chad Broadway. Sivic came on to shut down Farrady in the 7th to preserve the win for JA.
If Abell is to advance though, they'll need to play much better defense than they did. Good hitting and aggressive base running kept them in the game. They hope to improve when they play again next Wednesday.
Abell opened up the 09 season with a new cast of players as they started play in the Pepsi tournament in Cresaptown against last year's runner up- Farraday Post. Although Abell pulled out an 11-8 victory in 7 innings, it was a very sloppy win that Abell must improve on.
Nate Condor started on the mound for Abell and although he gave up just one hit in three innings, Farraday scored 4 runs as Abell made several errors in the field. Fortunatley, Abell hit the ball well with 9 total hits. With two outs in the first, Condor beat out an infield hit and was driven home on a Colton Sivic double. Although JA fell behind after one inning, they rallied for runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings to take an 8-4 lead. Colton Sivic was huge with bat all day as he went 4-4, with two doubles and two triples. Caleb Sivic had a big hit in his first game for the majors, driving in a run. All 9 Abell players scored. Still, Farrady scored 3 runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to tie. Abell scored three runs in the top of the 7th on hits by Condor and Sivic after a walk to Chad Broadway. Sivic came on to shut down Farrady in the 7th to preserve the win for JA.
If Abell is to advance though, they'll need to play much better defense than they did. Good hitting and aggressive base running kept them in the game. They hope to improve when they play again next Wednesday.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Your 2008 Appalachian League Champions!
Lavale's Jack Abell Baseball team completed their march to the Championship on Wednesday, with a 7-1 victory of Frostburg's Farrady Post at Ort Field. Abell took the series 2-0.
Jack Hawkins started for Abell and got himself out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning. In the bottom of the first, Abell wasted no time in grabbing a lead that it wouldn't relinquish.
With one out, Jack Hawkins hit a single. After a walk to Josh Van Meter, Dylan Shockey hit a hard ground ball that looked to be a double play, but great hustle by Shockey beat the throw to keep the inning alive. That brought the red hot Nate Condor to the plate and he delivered a triple down the right field line to clear the bases. When a pitch got past the catcher while Knieriem batted, Condor hustled home for the third run of the inning, giving Abell a 3-0 lead after one.
Farrady scored a run in the second, but again, Hawkins got out of a jam, stranding runners on 2nd and third. Abell picked up two more runs in the third, with most of the damage done with two outs. Chad Broadway lead off with a walk, but was forced out on a Tyler Hotchkiss hard ground ball. With two outs, Colton Sivic stroked a single to put runners on the corners. Jack Hawkins came up with a double over the third base bag, scoring two more runs for Abell, which then had a 5-1 lead.
In the third inning, Brooke Knieriem belted a double to left center, advanced to third on a Broadway groundout, and hustled on a steal of home plate. In the fifth inning, Nate Condor smacked a double to the fence in center, advanced to third on Knieriems groundout, and stole home for the second time in the game later in the inning.
That was more than enough as they summoned their ace on the hill, Josh Van Meter to shut down the tough Farrady offense. Van Meter breezed through the third and fourth innings, and Abell gunned down a runner at the plate to stifle any comeback hopes. Van Meter got the final out on a strikeout, and Abell celebrated their Championship Season.
For the second game in a row, both Jack Hawkins (single, double) and Nate Condor (double, triple) had two hits. Brooke Knieriem had a double, Coltin Sivic had a hit, and Josh Van Meter had a hit to go along with two walks.
This was a very fun season for the boys and coaches, and there are a lot of people that put in a lot of effort to make everything happen.
Our Sponsor Jack Abell: Without all of the sponsors, there probably isn't baseball around here (or it gets a lot more expensive). Jack Abell has sponsored us for the last couple of years and we are extremely grateful for their support. (The first photo above is Troy giving the trophy to JD Hotchkiss of Jack Abell)
Matt Olecsik: Matt was the commissioner of the Lavale Little League (the granddaddy of thankless jobs). This was Lavales first year in the Appalachian League, so there was a lot to learn. Matt co-ordinated the draft, scheduling fields, money for umpires, disputes, went to a lot of meetings, purchases equipment, field supplies, yet still coached a team AND has a daughter that plays as well. Most people don't know how much he does behind the scenes, but we are extremely grateful for all that he does.
Tim Sivic, Mike Shockey: As you know, we had a lot of rain this year and the field often wasn't in playing shape at 4 pm. But Tim and Mike usually got to the field early and raked, or shoveled dirt, or did whatever it took to get the boys a decent field to play on. It's a thankless task and they did a great job for our kids.
Kathy Condor: Kathy did the scorebook for most of the games, keeping track of innings, at bats, etc, and entertained kids that were on the bench. Spending a lot of time in the dugout with 10 or 11 hyped up 12 year old boys can test even the most patient person, Kathy did with less than 2 shots of alcohol per game.
Dave Hawkins: I can't fathom how many batting practice pitches Dave has thrown to the boys over the last three months. I know my arm would have fallen off by now. Dave worked with every kid we had on their hitting and fielding. And no matter how tense a game or situation was, his demeanor was always a steady, positive influence on the boys. His positive attitude was a huge plus for the whole team.
Troy and Timmi Vanmeter: It's hard to list all of the things that both husband and wife do for a team when they are coaching. Of course, there is the obvious part of the job (coaching), but they do so much more that we rarely think about. When a game gets rained out late in the day, they are the ones that call 12 families to tell them the game is postponed. There are meetings to attend before the season, during the season, and at the start of the playoffs. There are uniforms and equipment to pick up and umpires to contact. There are dugouts to clean and bases and equipment to put away when the game is over. There are a lot of practices to get to early (he brings the equipment) and they are almost always the last to leave. And all of this before he ever coaches, and jockies schedules and line ups based on people being on vacation, kids being sick, etc. We are lucky that Troy knows a lot about baseball, loves baseball, and is a good role model for our team.
Parents: We had several kids that came from a bit of a distance to get to games and practice, yet the kids were always there. It's a big effort to get our children to practices (especially those with more than one child who plays on another team), but our parents made it happen. Our parents never screamed at umpires or kids, and helped set a positive setting for the boys. The boys played well together-they shared sunflower seeds, bats, and cheered each other up throughout the season, and I think they will all remember the season for a long time.
We had a good team this year, but it took a very big effort from everyone to make it happen. Thank you, and Congratulations!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Abell Takes 1st Step
Lavale's Jack Abell baseball team took the first game of the Championship Series from Farrady's Tuesday night at Frostburg by a final score of 8-2. The game however was much closer than the final score indicated.
Abell struck first with two runs in the first inning. Colton Sivic reached on an error and advanced to second on a Jack Hawkins single. When Sivic stole third, the ball was thrown into left field and Sivic came home on the throw. With one out, Dylan Shockey walked. Nate Condor stroked a single to left, driving in Hawkins and Abell had a 2-0 lead after one.
Farrady wasted no time in tying the score. The leadoff hitter stroked a single off of starter Jack Hawkins. With one out, the third batter hit a deep shot to straight away center for a 2 run home run. (The player hit a good pitch--the pitch was at the knees but the batter simply went down, got it, and drove it.)
Abell creeped ahead in the third. After a Dylan Shockey hit, Condor cranked a double to right center. Shockey hesitated at first, and was sent home, but was thrown out at the plate. Condor went to third on the throw, and came home on a Brooke Knieriem fielders choice.
Josh Van Meter came on in the fourth to try and preserve a one run lead and he did just that. He go through the heart of the Farrady order in the fifth as he did a very nice job of mixing up his pitches to keep the power hitters off of the basepaths.
Abell broke the game open in the top of the sixth. Trenton Swan reached base, and advanced on a walk to Sivic. With one out, consecutive singles by Van Meter, Shockey, and Condor broke the game open. Walks by Knieriem and and Broadway added to the Abell total as they took an 8-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth. Nate Condor came on to close out the sixth and preserve the Abell victory.
Once again, it was a team effort to get the victory. Jack Hawkins did a great job stifling the potent Farrady offense. He did a very good job of staying on his game after the Farrady home run. As usual, Josh Van Meter was stellar on the mound, keeping Lavale's slim lead through the middle innings. The Abell defense was great; there was only a meaningless error in the sixth inning. The defense executed perfectly when Farrady tried a double steal as the play went 2-6-2-5 for the out (for those of you scoring at home). Additionally, Abell threw out a runner at third as Swan to Van Meter to Sivic made the third out.
Nate Condor had three hits and both Jack Hawkins and Dylan Shockey had two.
Abell tries to clinch the series Wednesday night at Ort Field.
Abell struck first with two runs in the first inning. Colton Sivic reached on an error and advanced to second on a Jack Hawkins single. When Sivic stole third, the ball was thrown into left field and Sivic came home on the throw. With one out, Dylan Shockey walked. Nate Condor stroked a single to left, driving in Hawkins and Abell had a 2-0 lead after one.
Farrady wasted no time in tying the score. The leadoff hitter stroked a single off of starter Jack Hawkins. With one out, the third batter hit a deep shot to straight away center for a 2 run home run. (The player hit a good pitch--the pitch was at the knees but the batter simply went down, got it, and drove it.)
Abell creeped ahead in the third. After a Dylan Shockey hit, Condor cranked a double to right center. Shockey hesitated at first, and was sent home, but was thrown out at the plate. Condor went to third on the throw, and came home on a Brooke Knieriem fielders choice.
Josh Van Meter came on in the fourth to try and preserve a one run lead and he did just that. He go through the heart of the Farrady order in the fifth as he did a very nice job of mixing up his pitches to keep the power hitters off of the basepaths.
Abell broke the game open in the top of the sixth. Trenton Swan reached base, and advanced on a walk to Sivic. With one out, consecutive singles by Van Meter, Shockey, and Condor broke the game open. Walks by Knieriem and and Broadway added to the Abell total as they took an 8-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth. Nate Condor came on to close out the sixth and preserve the Abell victory.
Once again, it was a team effort to get the victory. Jack Hawkins did a great job stifling the potent Farrady offense. He did a very good job of staying on his game after the Farrady home run. As usual, Josh Van Meter was stellar on the mound, keeping Lavale's slim lead through the middle innings. The Abell defense was great; there was only a meaningless error in the sixth inning. The defense executed perfectly when Farrady tried a double steal as the play went 2-6-2-5 for the out (for those of you scoring at home). Additionally, Abell threw out a runner at third as Swan to Van Meter to Sivic made the third out.
Nate Condor had three hits and both Jack Hawkins and Dylan Shockey had two.
Abell tries to clinch the series Wednesday night at Ort Field.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Late Rally Puts Abell "7 Up" over UV, 9-2
Jack Abell baseball rallied again late to go "7 (runs) Up" over a tough Uniform Village team on Saturday at Ort Field. The final score was 9-2.
UV scored a run in the top of the first to take an early lead. Abell battled back as Brooke Knieriem had a single and was brought around on a Colton Sivic hit. UV scored another run in the fourth to regain the lead. Abell had hit the ball hard early, but often right at someone as Dylan Shockey hit a line shot to the pitcher, and Josh Van Meter drove a ball to deep center with the bases loaded, which was hauled in by the UV center fielder.
In the fifth inning though, Abell's luck began to change. Van Meter led off with a hit, followed by a hit from Shockey. Nate Condor was walked to load the bases. After a strikeout, Kniereim put the ball in play and Van Meter scored on a close play at the plate. A walk to Swan drove in the go ahead run. After another out, Sivic cleared the bases with a double. Hawkins walked, then Van Meter put one in play that was mishandled by the UV defense. After a walk to Shockey, Condor hit single to drive in another. When the dust settled, Abell had scored 8 runs in the inning to grab a 9-2 win.
Jack Hawkins and Josh Van Meter did a great job of shutting down the potent Uniform Village offense. After Van Meter ran out of innings, Hawkins shut down UV until Abell's bats could pound out the victory.
Abell now moves to the Championship Series next week.
UV scored a run in the top of the first to take an early lead. Abell battled back as Brooke Knieriem had a single and was brought around on a Colton Sivic hit. UV scored another run in the fourth to regain the lead. Abell had hit the ball hard early, but often right at someone as Dylan Shockey hit a line shot to the pitcher, and Josh Van Meter drove a ball to deep center with the bases loaded, which was hauled in by the UV center fielder.
In the fifth inning though, Abell's luck began to change. Van Meter led off with a hit, followed by a hit from Shockey. Nate Condor was walked to load the bases. After a strikeout, Kniereim put the ball in play and Van Meter scored on a close play at the plate. A walk to Swan drove in the go ahead run. After another out, Sivic cleared the bases with a double. Hawkins walked, then Van Meter put one in play that was mishandled by the UV defense. After a walk to Shockey, Condor hit single to drive in another. When the dust settled, Abell had scored 8 runs in the inning to grab a 9-2 win.
Jack Hawkins and Josh Van Meter did a great job of shutting down the potent Uniform Village offense. After Van Meter ran out of innings, Hawkins shut down UV until Abell's bats could pound out the victory.
Abell now moves to the Championship Series next week.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monster Comeback Extends Abells Season
The Jack Abell Baseball Team staged a big comeback in the 6th inning to take the game to extra innings where they beat the Mobil One Angels at Ort Field on Friday night by a score of 7-6.
Abell trailed 6-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth. Jack Hawkins lead off with a walk and Josh Van Meter followed with a hit. Dylan Shockey hit a hard grounder that was knocked down in the infield, but thrown away at first. Nate Condor followed with a double that went to the fence, to make the score 6-5. After stealing third, Chad Broadway slapped a single to right, tying the game at 6. Broadway eventually made it to third and Tyler Hotchkiss, with two outs, drove a sinking liner to right that the Angels right fielder caught for third out.
In the top of the 7th, Van Meter shut down the Angels with two strikeouts and a groundout (a nice scoop by 1st time first baseman Colton Sivic.) In the bottom of the 7th, the Angels had to go to a depleted bullpen, and they had trouble finding the strike zone as Abell scored to get the comeback win.
Abell now plays for the right to go to the Championship Series. Next game is Saturday at 11:00 am
Abell trailed 6-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth. Jack Hawkins lead off with a walk and Josh Van Meter followed with a hit. Dylan Shockey hit a hard grounder that was knocked down in the infield, but thrown away at first. Nate Condor followed with a double that went to the fence, to make the score 6-5. After stealing third, Chad Broadway slapped a single to right, tying the game at 6. Broadway eventually made it to third and Tyler Hotchkiss, with two outs, drove a sinking liner to right that the Angels right fielder caught for third out.
In the top of the 7th, Van Meter shut down the Angels with two strikeouts and a groundout (a nice scoop by 1st time first baseman Colton Sivic.) In the bottom of the 7th, the Angels had to go to a depleted bullpen, and they had trouble finding the strike zone as Abell scored to get the comeback win.
Abell now plays for the right to go to the Championship Series. Next game is Saturday at 11:00 am
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Abell Rebounds for Division Crown
Jack Abell rebounded nicely and defeated Uniform Village to secure their division crown. The final score was 7-4.
Abell once again got off to a slow start. Chad Broadway started for Abell and got two scoreless innings for his team. Van Meter came on in the third, but UV scored a run to take a 1-0 lead. Finally, in the bottom of the third, Abells bats got on track.
Josh Van Meter led off with a single and promptly stole second. Dylan Shockey hit a double to score Van Meter. Nate Condor ht a double off of the fence in center field to score Shockey; Condor was promptly driven in by Brooke Knieriem, who in turn was driven in by Broadway. With two outs and no one on, Tyler Hotchkiss stroked a single, followed by a Sivic double. Jack Hawkins hit a ball down the line, scoring two. When the dust settled, Abell put up 7 runs to take a commanding lead.
Still, the game wasn't over. Uniform Village scored three time in the fourth and had the bases loaded, before Van Meter and the Abell defense closed the door.
With the victory, Abell moves to 10-3 on the year and gets ready for the playoffs.
Abell once again got off to a slow start. Chad Broadway started for Abell and got two scoreless innings for his team. Van Meter came on in the third, but UV scored a run to take a 1-0 lead. Finally, in the bottom of the third, Abells bats got on track.
Josh Van Meter led off with a single and promptly stole second. Dylan Shockey hit a double to score Van Meter. Nate Condor ht a double off of the fence in center field to score Shockey; Condor was promptly driven in by Brooke Knieriem, who in turn was driven in by Broadway. With two outs and no one on, Tyler Hotchkiss stroked a single, followed by a Sivic double. Jack Hawkins hit a ball down the line, scoring two. When the dust settled, Abell put up 7 runs to take a commanding lead.
Still, the game wasn't over. Uniform Village scored three time in the fourth and had the bases loaded, before Van Meter and the Abell defense closed the door.
With the victory, Abell moves to 10-3 on the year and gets ready for the playoffs.
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