James Madison HS Warhawks

The Madison Warhawks hit the road for their 2007 season opener against the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, on a breezy, chilly March evening. Madison sent Sr. lefthanded ace Jason Farley to the mound against Stone Bridge So. righthanded starter Nick Fialdini.

Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) led off the top of the 1st by drawing a walk. Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) then lined out to left and David McIntyre (Sr. CF) hit a fly ball to right center for the second out. Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) drilled a two-out single back up the middle, moving K. Mcintyre up to second base. Moniri and McIntyre both advanced on a Fialdini wild pitch, but were stranded when Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) took a called third strike to end the Warhawks’ threat. In the home half of the 1st, Farley had a three-up, three-down inning, with Alex Andrews (Sr. C) holding on to a bobbled third strike foul tip off the bat of Collin Pearson for the first out (the umpires conferred to make sure they got the call correct), followed by a Brian Wheaton ground out to Moniri at first, and Farley freezing Mike Stancik with a change-up for called strike three.

Leading off the Madison half of the 2^nd inning, Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) hit a tapper back to the pitcher for the first out. Brian Smith popped out down the right field line and Alex Andrews struck out. Farley again had a one-two-three inning in the bottom of the 2^nd, inducing a first-pitch Jeron Gouveia ground ball to Moniri at first for out number one, and striking out Matt Irwin and Chris Martinez to retire the side.

Colin Flaherty (Jr. RF) opened the Warhawks’ half of the 3^rd inning by lining out to right field. K. McIntyre then dropped a single into left field, but was then caught stealing by Bulldogs’ catcher Brian Wheaton’s throw. Tison then lined out to short for the third Madison out. Farley quickly got two outs to start the bottom of the 3^rd, striking out Pat Thompson and getting Johnny Bladel to hit yet another ground ball to Moniri at first base for the unassisted out. Tyler Basso became Stone Bridge’s first base runner of the game when he pushed a bunt base hit to the third base side of the mound, but the inning ended with Pearson grounding to Conlon at short, who flipped to Tison at second for the final out.

Fialdini had settled in nicely by the time Madison came to bat in the 4^th inning, and promptly struck out D. McIntyre and induced Moniri to ground out to the third baseman. Sams then delivered the Warhawks’ third hit of the evening, doubling to the fence in right center, but was left on base when Conlon struck out. Stone Bridge made some noise in their half of the inning, beginning with a lead-off single by Wheaton, and a walk issued to Stancik to put two Bulldogs runners on. Farley erased the lead runner on a Gouveia come-backer to the mound for the first out, but a misplayed Irwin bunt again loaded the bases. Stone Bridge scored the first run of the game when Stancik scored on a past ball, and the threat was kept alive as Martinez was hit by a pitch to reload the bases. Farley worked out of the jam, however, getting a called third strike on Thompson and still another unassisted putout by Moniri on a Bladel grounder to first to end the rally with just one run allowed. Stone Bridge led 1 – 0 after four.

Brian Smith drew a walk to open the Warhawks’ 5^th, but was then caught off first by a Wheaton throw behind the runner. Andrews then grounded out to second and Flaherty reached base on an infield error on his ground ball to the left side. Flaherty then stole second and K. McIntyre drew a walk to put a second Madison runner on base. Tison then grounded out to second for the third out. Farley kept the Bulldogs under control in the bottom of the 5^th, sandwiching strikeouts of Basso and Wheaton around a first-pitch groundout to short by Pearson. Stone Bridge led 1 – 0 after five.

In the top of the 6^th, Stone Bridge junior righthander Tyler Weaver came on in relief of Fialdini. D. McIntyre hit a fly ball out to center, and Moniri followed by drawing a walk. In his Warhawks varsity debut, sophomore Casey Turner entered as a pinch runner for Moniri and promptly to second on a balk. Sterling Sams again delivered the big hit and put Madison on the board by driving in Turner with a line shot triple down the right field line. After Conlon grounded out to short, Smith drew a two-out walk to put runners on the corners. Sams then came in to score on a wild pitch with Smith advancing into scoring position at second. Madison could not push more runs across, as Andrews grounded out to short, but now led 2 – 1 in the middle of the 6^th. Farley held the Bulldogs in check in their half of the sixth, getting Stancik to line out to right field and stranding Gouveia at second after a base hit by striking out Irwin and inducing a Martinez fly out to left to end the inning. Madison led 2 – 1 after six.

While the Warhawks managed to get a base runner on in the top of the 7^th, they could not generate any insurance runs, as Flaherty struck out, K. McIntyre walked and advanced to second on an overthrown attempt to catch him off first, Tison struck out, and D. McIntyre hit a fly ball out to left center. Senior righthander Sam Gilbert came on in relief of Farley in the bottom of the 7^th, in search of the season’s first save. Gilbert induced a ground ball to Smith at third, who had to make a quick throw to first and Moniri made a great scoop to record the out. After Bladel reached on an error, Basso moved him to third with a single that snuck just inside the first base bag. Bladel scored on Pearson’s ground ball to short, which Conlon converted to the second out be forcing Basso at second. The inning ended when Wheaton lined out to Conlon at short. Stone Bridge had the equalizer and the score was tied 2 -2 after seven.

Moniri opened the extra frame by grounding out to short. Sams then reached base on a fielding error on his grounder to the right side of the infield and advanced to second on Conlon’s base hit bunt to the right side. Sams headed for third on a fumbled pick-off attempt at second base and scored the go-ahead run when Stancik’s throw eluded Basso, the third baseman. Conlon moved to second on the play. Smith then singled on a hot grounder to the left side on which there was no play. Andrews moved the runners up to second and third with a ground out to short. Flaherty then hit a rising line drive that Basso went up the ladder to just barely snag and end the Madison threat. Junior righthander Jesse Jeter took the mound for Madison in the bottom of the 8^th. Jeter earned the save by getting Stancik to ground out to Smith at third base, firing strike three past Gouveia and catching Irwin looking at strike three to lock down the win for the Warhawks. Final score: Madison 3, Stone Bridge 2

Jason Farley went 6 solid innings in a no-decision, recording 9 strike outs and giving up 3 hits, 1 walk and 1 run (none earned). Sam Gilbert pitched 1 inning, yielding 1 hit and 1 run (unearned), and picking up the win. Jesse Jeter picked up the save with his 1 inning of work, 2 strikeouts and no runs allowed. Sterling Sams delivered 2 extra base hits, while Kyle McIntyre, Arman Moniri, Rich Conlon and Brian Smith added 1 hit each. “Well, we got we wanted”, said Warhawks Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand. “We were a little uptight tonight, which was expected the first time out. But make no mistake, Stone Bridge over there is a young team and they are testing it; they came to play. We made some mistakes, but I am proud of all our pitchers and I was glad to see Sterling Sams step it up and deliver the big hit. Bottom line: We got the W, coming back from down 1 – 0 in a tough environment. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you win 13 – 2 or 3 – 2, we’ll take it. So now we’ll go back to work and try and get better.”

The Warhawks’ 5-game road trip to open the season continues Friday, March 23, with a game at McLean against the Highlanders.

In a chilling, misty rain, the Madison Warhawks (1 – 0) visited the Highlanders of McLean High School (0 – 1) in the second Liberty District match-up for each team. Madison started hard-throwing junior righthander Jesse Jeter against McLean senior righty Andrew Stowe, as the Warhawks aimed to avenge their lone District from last year.

Kyle McIntyre (Jr. RF) walked to open the top of the 1^st inning. After Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) flied out to center, K. McIntyre was forced at second in the fielder’s choice on Arman Moniri’s (Sr. 1B) infield ground ball. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) hammered an 0 – 2 fastball for a line drive homer that plated Moniri, giving Madison a two run lead. Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) reached base and advanced to second on errors, and was then driven in by Brian Smith’s (Sr. 3B) single through the infield. Jason Farley (Sr. DH) lined out to the outfield to end the Warhawks’ at bat. In the home half of the 1^st, Jeter walked the first batter, Ryan Blackwell, then recorded three straight outs, as DH Patrick Tawil flied out to second, Andrew Morgan took strike three and Tyler Thompson flied out to right. Madison led 3 – 0 after one.

Stowe hit David McIntyre (Sr. CF) with a pitch to start the 2^nd inning. Alex Andrews (Sr. C) moved D. McIntyre to second base with an infield single, and both runners moved up a base on a throwing error. D. McIntyre scored from third on a wild pitch, with Andrews moving up a base. K. McIntyre then dropped a single over the infield to score Andrews. Tison’s infield groundout moved K. McIntyre into scoring position and Moniri’s sharp single through the infield put runners at the corners with one out. Moniri was forced at second for out number two and K. McIntyre scored as Sams reached base on a fielder’s choice. After hitting Conlon with a pitch, Stowe escaped further damage by recording the third out on a swinging strike out. In McLean half of the 2^nd inning, Jeter faced just four batters, getting Quinn Pippin to ground out to Tison at second, walking Stowe, but stranding him by inducing another ground out to second by Kendall Wilkins and a fly ball third out to Sams in left by Denis Buckley. The Warhawks led 6 – 0 after two innings.

After Farley and D. McIntyre opened the top of the 3^rd with singles, Andrews walked to load the bases, but Stowe escaped further damage by getting K. McIntyre to ground into a 1 – 2 – 3 double play, and stranding D. McIntyre and Andrews at third and second when Tison grounded out to end the Warhawks’ threat. Jeter set down the Highlanders in order in the bottom of the inning, inducing James Pascoe to ground out to Smith at third, striking out Blackwell, and ending the frame with a ground out to Tison at second. After a scoreless 3rd, Madison held the lead 6 – 0.

Sean Fitzgerald took the mound in relief for McLean in the Madison half of the 4^th and was greeted with Moniri’s first-pitch, lead-off single through the infield. Moniri was then forced at second as Sams reached on a fielder’s choice. Conlon’s laced triple to the outfield corner scored Sams, and Conlon came in to score on a wild pitch. Fitzgerald then retired Smith and Zepp on infield grounders to end the top half of the inning. The Highlanders broke through in the bottom of the 4^th, with a lead-off Morgan single. After Morgan moved to second on a passed ball, Thompson’s sharp groundout to Tison, on a nice diving stop up the middle, moved Morgan to third. Pippin walked to put runners at the corners and, when Pippin stole second, Morgan scored an unearned run on the throw down and McLean was on the board. After Stowe took strike three for the second out, Wilkins doubled, scoring Pippin. Jeter shut down the rally by firing strike three past Buckley. After four full innings: Madison 8, McLean 2.

The Warhawks staged a two-out rally in the visitors’ 5^th, after D. McIntyre and Colin Flaherty (Jr. C), who had taken over for Andrews behind the plate, grounded out sharply to opposite sides of the infield. K. McIntyre lined a double to the outfield fence, and was driven in by Tison’s laser double over the outfield. The catcher’s errant throw on Tison’s steal of third allowed him to score, but Madison could add no more runs as Moniri ground out retired the side. Sam Gilbert (Sr. P) took over pitching duties for the Warhawks in the bottom of the 5^th. After Pascoe’s roller cleared the infield for a hit, he advanced to second on a passed ball as Blackwell took strike three. Pascoe scored an unearned run on Tawil’s single just inside the third base bag. The threat died when, after walking, Morgan was forced out at second and Blackwell took a called third strike to end the frame. Madison led 10 – 3 at the end of 5.

Sams stayed hot to open the Madison half of the 6^th, with a towering lead off homer, for his third RBI of the night. John Zabel relieved Fitzgerald for McLean, inducing Casey Turner (Jr. 2B, Tison to SS), in his first varsity at bat, to ground sharply to short for the first out. Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B, for Smith) stroked a double down the line in his varsity debut, but was stranded as Zabel recorded his first K and induced Alex Jacquez (So. DH) to ground out to short for the third Warhawks out. Gilbert faced five Highlanders batters in the bottom of the inning, but allowed no scoring, striking out David Roffman, allowing a Pippin single, hitting Wilkins with a pitch, striking out Corey Cannon and getting Kaiser to fly out to centerfield. After six innings, the Warhawks held an 11 – 3 lead.

The Warhawks came to the plate in the top of the 7^th inning hungry for more, and Flaherty led off with a single to the outfield and, after a Madison strikeout, moved to second as Tison reached base on a fielding error. Madison introduced two more newcomers to the varsity in their inaugural at bats, as David Fathalakhani (Jr. 1B, for Moniri) walked to load the bases and Paul Gongaware (Jr. LF, for Sams) singled up the middle to score Flaherty. Tison came into score after the throw home got away from McLean catcher James Bodson, as Fathalakhani and Gongaware advanced to third and second, respectively, before the dust settled. Kendall Wilkins came in to relieve Zabel, and walked Turner to reload the bases with Warhawks. Schrock cleared the bases with his second straight double to the outfield corner, picking up 3 RBI. Wilkins capped Madison’s scoring at 16 runs by striking out the final two Warhawks batters. Southpaw Ted Williams (Jr. P) took over for Gilbert and looked sharp in his varsity premier, striking out Fitzgerald, Nicolas Vanderhyne and, after Tawil doubled, Pippin to end the game. Final score: Madison 16, McLean 3

Jesse Jeter picked up the win, going 4 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits, recording 4 strikeouts and allowing 3 walks. Sam Gilbert pitched a solid 2 innings, allowing one run (unearned), on 3 hits, striking out 3 and walking 1. Ted Williams pitched 1 inning, struck out 2, allowing 1 hit and no runs. Sterling Sams led the offense, going 2 for 4, clouting 2 homers and 4 RBI, followed closely by Andrew Schrock, who was 2 for 2, ripping 2 doubles and driving in 3. Others picking up RBI were K. McIntyre (2 for 4), Brig Tison (2 for 5), Arman Moniri (2 for 4), Rich Conlon (1 for 2, triple), Brian Smith (1 for 3) and Paul Gongaware (1 for 1). The Warhawks scored their 16 runs on a symmetrical 16 hits, and committed no errors.

Commenting on the win, Warhawks Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, “A great job; I thought we were much more relaxed tonight, having gotten the opener out of the way. We came ready to play and did the things we have worked on since the first day of practice. I really like their club over there; [McLean Head Coach] John [Thomas] does a nice job and they’re going to win some games. I liked our approach at the plate tonight and I thought we made some plays. That’s Madison baseball, and we’re excited to get it on track.”

The Warhawks next travel across town to take on rival Oakton, in a rare Saturday contest, on March 24^th

Having avenged their only 2006 regular season loss the night before, The Madison Warhawks (2 -0) took aim at the opponent that ended Madison’s 2006 22 – 2 campaign in the Northern Region Quarterfinals, the eventual Virginia AAA State Championship Runner-up Oakton Cougars (0 – 1) in a non conference game. The crowd that turned out on a cool, misty Saturday afternoon at Oakton High School for this battle of cross-town rivals might have missed the better part of the early NCAA basketball Elite Eight game, but they were treated to an extra-inning, playoff-atmosphere game between two excellent Virginia high school baseball programs. Madison senior righthander Brad Wimmer squared off against Oakton’s junior righty Kevin Wager to get the backyard brawl started.

The Warhawks drew first blood in their opening at bat, when Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) blasted a two-out solo home run, after a lead-off strike out and a Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) infield pop out. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) grounded out to end the top of the 1^st inning. Wimmer took the mound for Madison in the bottom of the inning with a 1 – 0 lead, but the Cougars struck back. With two runners on (Connor Madden, hit by pitch, and Keith Werman, walk), Wager singled through the right side of the infield to score Madden and move Werman to second. Wimmer induced Alfredo Rodriguez to ground out to third, but Werman and Wager advanced and were scored when Bret Williams singled up the middle. Wimmer escaped further damage by getting Mark Stier to bounce into a 1 – 6 – 3 double play. After one inning, Oakton led 3 – 1.

Madison landed more blows of its own in their half of the 2^nd inning, as Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) walked and was moved to second by Brian Smith’s (Sr. 3B) sharp single through the infield. Jason Farley (Sr. DH) then singled to load the bases, and David McIntyre (Sr. CF) reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Conlon and moving Smith to third; Farley was forced out at second. On the second pitch to Alex Andrews (Sr. C), D. McIntyre took off for second but pulled up short on a quick throw from the Oakton catcher, and was awarded second base after interference was called on the Cougars in the ensuing run-down. Smith came in to score during the diversion and Madison had tied the game at three apiece. Andrews popped up to the outfield for the second out and, after Kyle McIntyre (Jr. RF) was hit by a pitch, D. McIntyre was forced out on Tison’s ground out. Oakton went right back to work in the bottom of the frame, as Bobby McCormick drew a lead-off walk and Chris Page reached on a fielder’s choice and both runners were safe on a throwing error. Mike Uffleman moved the runners up to second and third with a ground out to Wimmer, who took the out at first. Madden plated McCormick with a ground out to Tison at second, and Page moved to third base. Wimmer worked out of the jam by getting Werman to fly out to left, but Oakton was back on top after two innings, 4 – 3.

The Warhawks put runners on yet again in the top of the 3^rd. Moniri reached base when his fly ball to the outfield was dropped, but was then forced out on the fielder’s choice on a Sams’ ground ball. Wager then got Conlon to ground into a 6 – 4 – 3 double play to hold Madison scoreless for the inning. Wimmer similarly held his ground in the Cougars’ half of the 3^rd, striking out Wager and, after Rodriguez doubled and Williams was hit by a pitch, inducing a slick 4 – 6 – 3 double play to close out the first scoreless inning of the game. The score after three: Oakton 4, Madison 3.

Smith led off the Madison 4^th with a double roped to the outfield fence. After Farley flied out for the first out, Oakton got the second by cutting down the lead runner on D. McIntyre’s infield grounder. D. McIntyre moved into scoring position by stealing second and alertly came in to score by running all-out on Andrews’ floating two-out liner over the infield that was dropped. Colin Flaherty (Jr. PR), courtesy running for Andrews, was picked off on Wager’s quick move to first, but the Warhawks had again pulled even with the Cougars, at 4 – 4. Farley relieved Wimmer on the mound for Madison in the bottom of the 4^th, and struck out the first two batters he faced, McCormick and Page, both swinging. After Uffleman singled, Madden was hit by a pitch and Werman walked to load the bases, with two outs. Farley ended the threat by firing strike three past Wager. It was all tied after 4, 4 – 4.

The Warhawks struck again in the top half of the 5^th. K. McIntyre reached on an infield throwing error and moved to second on Tison’s shot that was deflected for an infield single. Madison loaded the bases when Moniri’s infield bouncer was mishandled, leaving all runners safe. Sams delivered the lead run with a line out deep to the outfield. With one out, Casey Turner (Jr. PR, running for Moniri) stole second. The runners were stranded, however, when Conlon grounded out and, after Smith was walked intentionally, Farley lined out. Madison had taken the lead 5 – 4. After getting the first out on a Rodriguez fly ball to K. McIntyre in right field and yielding a double to Williams, Farley was treated to another highlight-reel play from the 5 – 3 combination of Smith and Moniri. Smith dived to his left to snare Stier’s hard grounder, and Moniri elevated to snag Smith’s rising throw, landing on the bag just in time to get the out call on a bang-bang play at first. Farley then got McCormick to hit a tapper back to the mound for the third out. Madison led after five innings 5 – 4.

Bart Reese took the mound for Oakton in the top of the 6^th to try to hold the line against the Warhawks, and had a three up, three down inning, with two ground outs, D. McIntyre and K. McIntyre, and a strikeout. The Cougars scratched out the equalizer in the home half of the 6^th, with Page reaching base on a hit by pitch and advancing to second on a balk call. Uffleman moved Page to third on his chopper near the third base line, which was fielded by Farley who took the out at first. Page then scored the tying run on Madden’s slow groundout to Smith at third. After Werman laid down a bunt single, Farley induced a Wager ground out to third to end the 6^th with the score tied at 5.

The pitchers took over for the next four innings, with neither team able to mount any real offensive threat as the game ended the regulation 7^th inning tied at 5 all, and moved deep into extra innings. Reese and Williams, who took over for Reese in the top of the 8^th, held the Warhawks to just two hits in the 7^th through 10^th innings. Madison managed to move a runner to third with two outs in the 9^th, but could not cash in. Meanwhile, Farley was cruising for Madison, setting down the Cougars in order in each of the 7^th through 10^th innings, striking out three and relying on the Warhawks’ solid defense for the rest.

In the decisive 11^th inning, Andrews led off by lining out deep to the outfield. K. McIntyre walked and moved to second on Tison’s perfectly placed bunt single. With two on and one out, Moniri came through with the clutch go-ahead RBI, singling sharply through the infield and scoring K. McIntyre from second. Tison then stole third and Oakton elected to intentionally walk Sams to load the bases, hoping for a double play ball to end the rally. Conlon foiled the strategy by driving a sacrifice fly deep to the outfield to score Tison with the insurance run. Smith grounded out to end the Madison half of the 11^th, with the Warhawks enjoying a two-run cushion. Farley again took the mound to face the Cougars’ 7, 8 and 9 hitters in the bottom half of the 11^th. McCormick led off with a double down the right field line, giving Oakton a runner in scoring position with none out. Adam Henne, pinch hitting for Page took called strike three for the first out. Uffleman’s ground out to Conlon at short gave Madison out number two, but moved McCormick to third base. There he would stay, however, as Farley induced Madden to line out to K. McIntyre in right to end the heavyweight bout, with Madison the winner. Final score: Madison 7, Oakton 5.

For the Warhawks, Brad Wimmer pitched three innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 3 hits, with 1 strikeout and 2 walks. Jason Farley picked up the win, pitching 8 gutty innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, striking out 7 while walking just 1 batter. Leading the Madison offense were Arman Moniri (2 for 5, home run and 2 RBI), Brig Tison (3 – 5, double) and Brian Smith (2 – 5, double). Other Warhawks contributing RBIs were Sterling Sams, Rich Conlon and David McIntyre. Madison’s 7 runs came on 9 hits, and the Warhawks committed just 1 error, in a tough, exciting contest.

Commenting on the hard-fought win over close rival Oakton, Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, “I’m just real proud of our guys. We maybe weren’t at our best today, but they came to play. You know, [Oakton Head Coach] Scott [Rowland] always has his guys ready to roll. They are tough and only a mile away, so we know each other real well. But you are just really going to have to knock our guys out to beat us. We took some haymakers from them today, no doubt, and I thought we really did a much better job of keeping our energy level up and not pressing when the game was tight, even after we left some guys on base. Jason [Farley] is a tough kid, and he gave us every bit of it today when we needed it. The bottom line is our guys battled today, and are starting to show me that they’re developing their own character, and that’s what it takes to win a playoff-type game like this one. Things are starting to come together a little bit, and that’s exciting.”

The Warhawks next host Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday, March 27^th, in a match-up switched from Jefferson due to ongoing renovations at their field.

In the home opener for the Warhawks (the game was relocated from Thomas Jefferson, due to ongoing renovations of the Colonials’ field), Madison rapped out 15 hits on the way to a 12 – 3 victory over the Thomas Jefferson Colonials “TJ”. Warhawk Nation turned out in force to support the Warhawks, 3 – 0 heading into the game and ranked No. 4 in the nation in the March 25^th Easton Sports High School Poll. Senior righthander Sam Gilbert got the start for Madison, opposite Colonials senior righthander Jon Seidman.

Gilbert put together a one-two-three top half of the inning, sandwiching strikeouts of John LaBarge and Seidman around an Alex Radcliffe ground out to short to retire the side on a thrifty 12 pitches. In the home half of the 1^st, Kyle McIntyre (Jr. CF) led off with a ground out. Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) drilled a double down the line, the moved up to third base on David McIntyre’s (Sr. DH) ground out. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) put the Warhawks’ first run on the board scored Tison with a single. Sams stole second, but was stranded when Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) grounded out to end the inning. Madison led after one inning, 1 – 0.

In the top of the 2^nd, Gilbert again stayed in the strike zone and set down the side in order, getting Patrick Yaroch to line out to left, striking out Mike Mensing and inducing a Drew Pyrak ground out to Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) at third. The Warhawks struck again in the bottom of the inning. After Smith grounded out to lead off, Jason Farley (Sr. 1B) singled through the infield and moved up to third on Alex Andrews’ single. With runners at the corners, Colin Flaherty (Jr. RF) hit a roller to third, and reached on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases with all Madison runners safe. After Seidman recorded the second out with a strikeout, Tison delivered Farley and Andrews with a two-out single. Flaherty and Andrews moved up to third and second, and were driven in by D. McIntyre’s double. The rally ended when Sams flied out to the outfield. After two full innings, the Warhawks held a 5 – 0 lead.

Gilbert worked another efficient inning in the TJ half of the 3^rd, retiring John Vandesand (fly ball to center), Doug Ross (ground out to short) and Tom Warner (fly ball to center), on just 9 pitches. In the Madison 3^rd, Smith followed a Conlon lead-off walk with a single through the infield, putting runners on first and second. After a strike out, Andrews lined a single that plated Conlon. TJ secured the second out by catching Smith attempting to score on multiple run-down, attempted double steal, and the third on a strikeout. The score after three: Madison 6, TJ 0.

In the visitor’s 4^th, TJ finally broke through against Gilbert, with LaBarge and Radcliffe putting together back-to-back singles. With two on and no outs, Gilbert got Seidman looking at strike three, but yielded another single to Yaroch, which drove in the Colonials’ first run. On the same play, however, Radcliffe was cut down at third attempting to advance on the throw home. Gilbert induced out number three on a Mensing ground out to Tison at second. Madison responded in the home half of the inning against TJ reliever Ryan Stumvoll, as K. McIntyre led off with a single, followed by walks to Tison and D. McIntyre to load the bases with Warhawks. Sams then hit a sacrifice fly to score K. McIntyre. Conlon followed with an infield single, hitting a hard shot off the glove of Stumvoll and beating the shortstop’s throw to first. Tison came in to score on the play. With runners on first and second and one out, Smith doubled down the line, driving in D. McIntyre and moving Conlon to third. The runners were stranded when Farley and Andrews flied out to end the frame. After four full innings, the Warhawks’ lead was 9 – 1.

Brad Wimmer (Sr. P) took the mound to start the 5^th inning, and kept the economical Madison pitching going with a 6-pitch, one-two-three inning, setting down the Colonials’ Pyrak, Vandesand and Ross on consecutive infield grounders. Ross’ grounder, however, was a knuckler to shortstop that Conlon charged, snagged barehanded and side-armed to Farley at first, who stretched to scooped the low throw for a snazzy 6 – 3 put-out. In the Warhawks’ half of the 5^th, Flaherty led off by legging out an infield single and K. McIntyre reached on a throwing error. With two on and none out, Tison grounded out to second, advancing the runners to second and third. Flaherty was tagged out attempting to score on a past ball for out number two, and pinch hitter David Fathalakhani (Jr. DH) flied out to the infield to close out a scoreless 5^th inning for both teams. Madison led 9 – 1 after five innings.

Madison sent lefty Ted Williams (Jr. P) to the hill for the Colonials’ 6^th. Warner and LaBarge led off with back-to-back walks, and Radcliffe advanced the runners on a come-backer to Williams, who took the out at first. Yaroch singled, driving in Warner, and LaBarge scored on a throwing error. Yaroch was stranded at second, when Williams induced a Mensing ground out to short. Paul Gongaware (Jr. LF) led off the Warhawks, reaching base after being hit by a pitch and advanced to second base as Casey Turner (Jr. 2B) reached on a throwing error. Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B) stroked a double up the gap (his third double in three at bats this season), driving in Gongaware and Turner. After Matt Zepp (Jr. 1B) flied out to the outfield, Alex Jacquez (So. C) singled through the infield. Brian Foy (Jr. PR) entered for his first varsity action, pinch running for Jacquez. Warner moved to the mound for TJ in relief of Warner and walked Flaherty and Brandon Lomax (Jr. CF, his first varsity at bat). Schrock scored from third on a passed ball, but Madison could add no further, as Maxfield Brennan (Jr. PH), taking his inaugural varsity turn at bat for Tison, and Fathalakhani could not reach base. After 6 innings, the Warhawks had extended their lead to 12 – 3.

Zepp moved to the mound for Madison to close out the Colonials’ final at bat, setting down TJ in order with a Pyrak fly out to the infield, a Vandesand unassisted ground out to first base, and a strikeout to end the game. Final score: Madison 12, TJ 3.

Sam Gilbert picked up the win for the Warhawks, throwing 4 efficient innings (44 pitches), allowing 1 earned run on three hits, walking no one and striking out 4. Brad Wimmer and Matt Zepp each pitched a scoreless inning, allowing no hits and no walks. Ted Williams went one inning, allowing 2 earned runs on 1 hit and 2 walks, and striking out 1. Offensively, Madison was led by Brig Tison (2 for 3, a double and 2 RBI), David McIntyre (1 for 2, a double, 2 RBI), Sterling Sams (1 for 2, 2 RBI), Andrew Schrock (1 for 1, a double, 2 RBI), Brian Smith (2 for 3, a double, 1 RBI), Alex Andrews (2 for 3, 1 RBI), and Kyle McIntyre (2 for 4). The Warhawks’ 12 runs came on 15 hits, and the defense committed no errors.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said of the effort, “I thought we did a nice job tonight. It started off with Sam [Gilbert]; he was on tonight. He pounded the strike zone with good pop, and the defense was sharp behind him. We didn’t want to give up those runs late the way we did, but overall I thought we did a pretty good job and a lot of guys contributed, so that’s good. So now, we go to South Lakes for another away game, and try to keep it rolling.”

Madison next travels to South Lakes on Thursday, March 29^th, for a 7:00 pm start against the Seahawks.

The Warhawks took their 2007 campaign back on the road Thursday, to take on the South Lakes Seahawks, on clear but chilly evening. In the Liberty District match-up was the pre-Spring Break finale for both clubs as they each prepared to head south for out-of-district tournaments over the break, Madison sent senior ace lefty Jason Farley to the mound to take on senior righthander Brian Crawford. The pitchers controlled the early part of the game, each holding the opponent scoreless for the first three innings.

Crawford kept the Warhawks off the board in the top of the 1^st, using an effective breaking ball to get Kyle McIntyre (Jr. CF) to fly out to the outfield and Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) to ground out. After yielding a two-out single to Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B), Crawford exited the inning by getting Sterling Sams (Sr. DH) to ground out. In the Seahawks’ 1^st, Farley retired the side in order, getting ground out by Mike Boyle, to Tison at second base, and Noah Sweet, to Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) at short, and firing strike three past Tommy Flynn, to end a scoreless first inning.

In the Madison 2^nd, Crawford and the Seahawks defense again contained the Warhawks attack. Conlon was robbed of a base hit on a nice running catch of his hot liner to the outfield, and, after Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) singled through the infield, the South Lakes defense turned David McIntyre’s (Sr. LF) line out to the outfield into a snappy double play, catching Smith off first. In the home half of the inning, John Huppi led off with a single up the middle. Scott Reed then laid down a sacrifice bunt, then reached base when the play could not be made. When Huppi tried to advance to third on the throw, however, Moniri cut him down with a strong throw across the diamond. With one out and one on, Farley closed out the inning by getting Conor Zagurski on a called third strike and inducing a ground out to the mound by Tommy Gately. After two, the score remained 0 – 0.

The Warhawks again failed to get to Crawford and the Seahawks in the top half of the third. Alex Andrews (Sr. C) grounded out to lead off, followed by Colin Flaherty’s single to the outfield. Flaherty moved up to third on K. Mcintyre’s groundout, but was stranded there when Tison grounded out to end the at-bat. The Seahawks got the lead-off batter on board when Paul Kirchner walked, but Farley took control from there, striking out Bobby Clinage, and getting Boyle and Sweet to ground out to second and short, respectively, to end the third straight scoreless inning.

Madison opened the scoring in the visitors’ 4^th. Lead-off batter Moniri was hit by a pitch and Casey Turner (Jr. PR), running for Moniri, advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was thrown out attempting to take the next base. Sams and Conlon walked and moved up a base on Smith’s bunt single. With the bases loaded with Warhawks, D. McIntyre walked to push Sams across for the first run of the game. After Andrews lined out, Flaherty singled to drive in Conlon, leaving the bases loaded. K. McIntyre was hit by a pitch to force in another run, and the top of the 4^th ended with Tison lining out to the outfield. Farley set down South Lakes in order in the bottom of the 4^th, getting Flynn to line out to K. McIntyre in center field, and inducing Huppi and Reed to ground out to end the inning. After four full innings, Madison led 3 – 0.

The Warhawks opened their half of the 5^th looking for more against Mike Boyle, on in relief of Crawford for South Lakes. Moniri walked and Sams was hit by a pitch to put two on with none out. Conlon reached on an error on his sacrifice bunt attempt and Moniri came around to score. Smith’s double plated Sams and Conlon, and Madison had two in and one on, with no outs. After D. Mcintyre flied out, Smith was awarded third base on balk, and Andrews walked and then stole second to put runners on second and third with one out. Flaherty walked to load the bases and Smith then scored on a passed ball, with Andrews taking third behind him. K. Mcintyre then hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Andrews. After Tison walked, Moniri singled to score Flaherty. The threat ended when Sams grounded out. Righty Jess Jeter (Jr. P) took over for Farley on the mound to face the Seahawks’ half of the 5^th. After Zagurski reached base on an error, Jeter retired the rest of the side in order, striking out Gately and Kirchner, and getting Clinage an a ground out that showed off the Warhawk leather, as Conlon was forced to charge from short and sidearm the throw to Zepp, who made a nifty scoop of the short hop assist to end the inning. The score after five: Madison 9, South Lakes 0.

Ian Hostetler took over pitching duties for the Seahawks in the top of the 6^th and recorded two quick outs, as Conlon grounded out and Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B) flied out. After Alex Jacquez (So. PH) walked and stole second, Andrews also walked to occupy first base. Jacquez took third on a passed ball and then scored on a wild pitch, with Andrews moving to second on the error. Flaherty singled to move Andrews to third, but the threat ended with a final Warhawk strikeout. Jeter quickly made quick work of the bottom half of the 6^th with an 11-pitch, one-two-three inning, striking out Boyle and Sweet and getting Flynn to line out to Conlon at short for the final out. Final score: Madison 10, South Lakes 0.

Jason Farley recorded the win (2 – 0), pitching 4 scoreless innings, striking out 3, and allowing 1 hit and 1 walk. Jesse Jeter followed with two lock-down innings, striking out 4, and allowing no hits and no walks. Madison’s 10 runs came on 8 hits, with the offense led by Brian Smith (3 for 3, a double, 1 RBI), Colin Flaherty (3 for 3, 1 RBI), and Arman Moniri (2 for 2, 1 RBI).

Commenting on the game, Warhawks’ Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, “I thought we were solid tonight. Another cool night and we had to stick with it and play because they made a lot of nice defensive plays to keep us off the board for a while. Their starter, Crawford did a nice job of keeping us off balance. But we stuck with it, really executed the short game tonight and made some plays of our own on defense. I was real happy with our pitching tonight, from Jason [Farley] and Jesse [Jeter]; they set the tone. So we’re excited to head down to Orlando and keep building on what we’ve done so far.”

The Warhawks head south to Orlando on Saturday for the Lake Highland Prep Orlando National Classic spring tournament, schedule to be determined. Follow the action by returning to the web site periodically during the week of April 2^nd – 6^th.

Madison returns to Liberty District action on Tuesday, April 10^th, with a 6:30 pm home game against the Marshall Statesmen

The Madison Warhawks took the field under sunny skies and, for the first time this season, temperatures above 70 degrees, in their first game of the 2007 Orlando National Baseball Classic spring tournament, against the Chargers of Suncoast High School (Riviera Beach, FL). The migratory members of Warhawk Nation significantly outnumbered Suncoast supporters in the wooden folding seats of Tinker Field, in the shadow of Orlando’s Citrus Bowl stadium. Madison sent senior righthander Brad Wimmer to the hill to take on the Chargers’ freshman righty Clayton Culler.

Suncoast opened the scoring in the first frame, getting two runs ono one hit, a Madison error, a sacrifice bunt and two ground outs. In the Madison half of the 1^st, Kyle McIntyre (Jr. CF) led off with a single, and came in to score on Brig Tison’s (Jr. 2B) triple to the outfield corner. Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) then scored Tison with a ground out. Although Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) would reach on a dropped third strike, the Warhawks could do no further damage and the first inning ended with the score tied at 2.

Wimmer allowed the Chargers no runs on one hit in the top of the 2^nd, and Madison took the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Jason Farley (Sr. DH) and Alex Andrews (Sr. C) led off with back-to-back singles, and Colin Flaherty (Jr. RF) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Tison then grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate Farley with the go-ahead run, but Culler worked out of the jam to end the inning without further scoring. After two full innings, the Warhawks led 3 – 2.

The Suncoast 3^rd saw the Chargers add two runs on two hits to retake the lead 4 – 3, but Madison struck right back in their half of the 3^rd. Conlon walked and stole second, moving into scoring position and crossing the plate on Farley’s single to the outfield. Farley, who had taken second on a fielding error, then stole third base and scored as the catcher’s throw down got away. After Flaherty reached on an error, Jarrett Gish came on to relieve Culler, and promptly walked K. McIntyre. Flaherty and K. McIntyre then both moved up a base on a double steal. They were stranded, however, and the inning ended with Madison having retaken the lead 5 – 4.

Wimmer pitched another scoreless inning in the top of 4^th, allowing two hits and striking out one. Gish kept the Warhawks off the scoreboard in the home half of the 4^th, allowing one hit and two baserunners, but no runs. The score after four innings: Madison 5, Suncoast 4.

Sam Gilbert (Sr. P) took over on the mound for the Warhawks to face the heart of the Chargers’ batting order to open the 5^th inning. Gilbert allowed two hits, struck out one and allowed no runs, making the final put-out himself at the end of a 2-5-1 rundown on the third base line. In the Madison 5^th, the bats came alive and the Warhawks scored four runs on five hits, beginning with Andrews’ triple down the line. After Flaherty reached on an error, K. McIntyre scored Andrews with an infield single. Flaherty scored from second on Tison’s lined single to the outfield, and K. McIntyre and Tison moved up to second and third on K. McIntyre’s stolen base. Moniri then drove in the pair of runs with a laced single to the outfield. After Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) singled to put two Warhawks on with no outs, the rally fizzled and the inning ended with Madison on top 9–4.

Southpaw Ted Williams (Jr. P) took over pitching duties for the Warhawks and worked a scoreless, one-two-three top of the 6^th. Tate Rowan came on in relief for Suncoast and also retired the side in order to send the game into the final inning with Madison leading 9 – 4.

Williams closed the door on the Chargers and the win in the top of the 7^th, setting down the side in order (2 strikeouts) to end the contest. Final score: Madison 9, Suncoast 4.

Brad Wimmer worked 4 innings to earn the win, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits, striking out 2 and walking no one. Sam Gilbert pitched one inning, allowing no runs on two hits and striking out one. Ted Williams went two scoreless innings, striking out 2 and giving up no hits and no walks. The offense was paced by Brig Tison (2 for 4, triple, 3 RBI), Arman Moniri (2 for 3, 2 RBI), Kyle McIntyre (2 for 4, 1 RBI), Alex Andrews (2 for 3, triple) and Sterling Sams (1 for 3, 1 RBI). Madison scored its 9 runs on a total of 11 hits and committed one error.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, “Well it was great to be out here on our first hot day to play. I don’t think we were at our best today and maybe the weather had something to do with that. But our pitchers, Brad (Wimmer), Sammy (Gilbert) and Teddy (Williams), kept us in it and then Teddy really pitched the way you should with a five-run lead; good stuff. We made some plays when we had to and then Arman (Moniri) and Brig (Tison) really got things started for us at the plate today, and we all got more aggressive at the plate toward the end. So that’s exciting and we look forward to getting back at it again tomorrow.”

On a sunny, hot Florida Tuesday, two Virginia Northern Region teams met in Orlando, as the Madison Warhawks met the Centreville Wildcats in a second round game in the Orlando National Baseball Classic. Warhawk and Wildcat partisans gathered under the awning of Tinker Field to cheer on their boys. Madison tabbed junior righthander Jesse Jeter for the start, facing the Wildcats’ No. 1 senior lefty Cory Hall.

Madison jumped out to a 4 – 0 lead in the top of the 1^st inning, on four hits and four runs batted in, from Kyle Mcintyre (Jr. CF), Brig Tison (Jr. 2B, RBI), Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B), Rich Conlon (Sr. SS, RBI), and David McIntyre (Sr. DH, Sac Fly RBI). Jeter set down the Centreville side in order on three fly balls, and the game headed into the 2^nd inning with Madison leading 4 – 0.

The Warhawks added two more runs in the visitors’ 2^nd, on four hits and two runs batted in, by Alex Andrews (Sr. C), K. McIntyre (a double smoked to the outfield wall), Tison (RBI) and Moniri (RBI). After Jeter walked the lead-off hitter, the Warhawks turned a nifty 4-6-3 double play to erase the runner. Jeter secured the third out on a fly ball. After two full innings, the Warhawks led 6 - 0

In the top of the 3^rd, the Warhawks added another run on two hits and one RBI, by Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) and D. McIntyre (RBI). Jeter pitched another scoreless frame in the bottom of the 3^rd, allowing two hits, but striking out two and picking a runner off first for the second of the three outs. The score after three: Madison 7, Centreville 0.

Madison broke the game open in the top of the 4^th, pushing across nine more runs, on nine hits and nine runs batted in, provided by Tison (2 hits, 1 RBI), Moniri (RBI), Sterling Sams (Sr. LF, 2 hits, 1 RBI), Smith (RBI), Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF, 2 RBI), K. McIntyre, Matt Zepp (Jr. 1B, double, 3 RBI). Southpaw Ted Williams (Jr. P) took over from Jeter to face the Wildcats’ half of the 4^th, and allowed one hit, while striking out one to preserve the shutout. After four, Madison led 16 – 0.

That would be all the scoring in the game, as the Warhawks rapped out two more hits, but could not cross the plate again in the top of the 5^th inning. Zepp moved to the mound for Madison to face the Wildcats’ half of the frame, and locked down the shutout, getting a strikeout, the defensive gem of the game for out number two. With one out and no one on, Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B) showed big time range and agility, laying out for a hot ground ball in the hole towards shortstop, getting quickly to his feet and firing to first, where David Fathalakhani (Jr. 1B) made a nice scoop of the short-hop throw. A final ground out ended the game. Final score: Madison 16, Centreville 0.

Three Madison pitchers combined for the shutout, with Jesse Jeter working 3 innings for the win, giving up no runs on 2 hits, striking out 2 and walking one. Ted Williams pitched one inning, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out one. Matt Zepp pitched a scoreless final inning, striking out 1 and walking 2. 10 different Warhawks had base hits, with the offense led by Brig Tison (4 for 4, double, 3 RBI), Arman Moniri (3 for 3, 3 RBI), Matt Zepp (1 for 1, double, 3 RBI), Collin Flaherty (2 for 3, 2 RBI), David McIntyre (2 for 4, 2 RBI), Kyle McIntyre (3 for 4, double, 3 runs scored), and Sterling Sams (2 for 4, 1 RBI). Madison scored 16 runs on a total of 21 hits and committed one error.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, “I was really, really pleased with our effort today. It’s hard to play back to back games, much less a 1:00 pm game the next day, but I could tell from the minute we got to the field that we were ready to play. We knew we had to be at our best because we know Centreville is a good ball club, playing really well lately and beating Dr. Phillips [High School, Orlando, FL] yesterday. We saw their No. 1, but our guys did a great job of attacking at the plate, and when you get twenty-something hits and the other guys make no errors, you know you’re doing something right. I thought Jesse [Jeter] was awesome today, pounding the strike zone and being real efficient with his pitch count, and Teddy [Williams] and Matt [Zepp] came in behind him and pitched the way they should. So we get to come back tomorrow and play a real good Palm Beach [Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, FL] team and that should be fun. We’ll be ready.”

Two heavyweights met in a semi-final game of the Orlando National Baseball Classic, as the Madison Warhawks (ranked #4 nationally in the Easton Sports High School Baseball poll and #19 nationally in the Baseball America High School Baseball poll) squared off against the Palm Beach Gardens Gators of Palm Beach Gardens, FL (ranked # 12 nationally in the Easton Sports poll and #4 nationally in the Baseball America poll, and the #1 Class 6A team in Florida). A sizeable crowd turned out to supplement the vocal presence of Warhawk Nation and the Gator supporters under the awning at Orlando’s Tinker field. Madison senior lefty ace Jason Farley took the ball for the home team Warhawks, against 6’ 2” righthander Matt Baran for the Gators.

The pitchers and defense dominated the first three scoreless innings. Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) set the defensive tone immediately in the Gators’ half of the 1^st, diving to his left to snare Andy Mee’s sharp lead-off grounder for the first out. Farley recorded the next two outs on an Alex Godshall ground out and a Derek Scjnoha line out to center. In the home half of the inning, Baran set the side down in order on two strike outs and an Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) fly out. No score was recorded at the end on one inning.

In the top of the 2^nd, Nick Rickles grounded out to second for the first out. Ryan Wisneski hit a single up the middle to give Palm Beach Gardens the first base runner of the day. The Warhawks snuffed out the threat, however, as Farley induced a Be Carhart grounder to Madison’ Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) at short, who scraped the bag at second and fired to Moniri at first to complete the double play. Baran again held Madison in check in the bottom of the 2^nd. After Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) reached on a hit by pitch, Conlon moved Sams into scoring position on his ground out. The Gators then closed out the inning by doubling up Sams on Brian Smith’s (Sr. 3B) infield line out. The game remained scoreless through two.

In the visitors’ 3^rd, Palm Beach Gardens again put a runner on base, but could not score. After Alex Wood grounded out to second and Farley struck out Sam Kimmel, Taylor Motter lined a two-out single to right. Farley got the final out when Mee lined out to left. The Warhawks still could not solve Baran in their half of the third, as Farley and David McIntyre grounded out and the Gators got out number three on a strikeout. The score after three innings: Palm Beach Gardens 0, Madison 0.

Palm Beach Gardens landed the first punches in the top of the 4^th inning, scoring three runs on two hits. Godshall led off with a double to the left center gap and Scjnoha walked to put two Gators runners on with no outs. Rickles delivered the first run with a single to right. With runners on first and second, the Warhawks got the first out when Sjnoha started for third and Rickles followed toward second. Alex Andrews (Sr. C) threw down to Smith at third and Madison apparently had the lead runner. Sjnoh made it back to second, however, and the Warhawks had to settle for getting the trailing runner, Rickles, as he tried to return to first, leaving a runner in scoring position. After Wisneski reached on a walked, the runners moved up on a double steal and Sjnoha scored on a throwing error, with Wisneski moving to third. Carharts chopper to Farley behind the mound scored Wisneski as Madison recorded out number two. Farley put out the fire by inducing a Wood ground out to second. The Warhawks still could not get anything going against Baran in the bottom of the fourth, as Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) and Tison grounded out and Moniri lined out sharply to the infield. After four full innings, Madison trailed 3 – 0.

After giving up a lead off single, to Kimmel to open the 5^th inning, Farley and the Warhawk defense locked things down, cutting down the lead runner on Motter’s bunt back to the mound, and getting Mee to fly out and Godshall to line out to right to retire the Gators. The Warhawks chipped away at the Palm Beach Gardens lead in the bottom of the 5^th, scoring two runs on three hits. Sams led off with a single through the infield and Conlon followed with another single, and Madison had something going with two runners on and no outs. After two strikeouts, D. McIntyre was hit by a pitch to load the bases with Warhawks, with two outs. After falling behind Baran 0 – 2, Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) pulled Madison back into the game dropping a single behind the infield to score Sams and Conlon. Although K. McIntyre’s tapper to third ended the inning, the Warhawks had climbed back into the game and trailed just 3 – 2 after five full innings.

The pitchers regained control in the 6^th, with Farley setting down the Gators in order, with the help of two nice running catches by D. McIntyre going first to his right and then to his left to settle under Scjnoha and Rickles fly balls, and then coming in to grab Wisneski’s sinking liner. Baran responded with a one-two-three inning of his own, getting a strike out, a Moniri fly ball and a Sams ground out to end the 6^th, with the score still Palm Beach Gardens 3, Madison 2

Farley held his ground again in a scoreless top of the 7^th, getting Carhart to ground out to short, Wood to ground out to second and Kimmel to ground out to first, and the Warhawks headed into their final at bat trailing 3 – 2. Conlon led off with a first-pitch double to the outfield corner to give Madison life, in the form of a crucial base runner in scoring position. Smith reached base with a hard-earned base on balls, the only walk Baran allowed on the day, to put two Madison runners on with no outs. Farley then reached on a fielder’s choice on his infield chopper, which forced Smith at second, but moved Conlon up to third. D. McIntyre stepped to the plate with runners on the corners and one out. After battling Baran to a two-ball, two-strike count, and with Farley on the move, McIntyre lined a double in the gap that perfectly split the converging outfielders, scoring Conlon from third and Farley from first to deliver Madison the win in thrilling fashion. Warhawk players poured out of the dugout to greet the runners and McIntyre, and the Madison fans erupted in a roar of approval from the stands. Final score: Madison 4, Palm Beach Gardens 3.

This game was a superb exhibition of top quality high school baseball, with excellent defense on display by both teams, timely hitting by both the Gators and the Warhawks, and tough, stellar pitching by each of Baran and Farley. Both pitchers went the distance for their clubs, with Farley earning the well-deserved win for the Warhawks, giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, striking out 1 and walking 2, in seven innings of work. Collin Flaherty (1 for 2, 2 RBI) and David McIntyre (1 for 2, 2 RBI including the games winner) delivered the big hits for the Warhawks, with help from Rich Conlon (2 for 3, double, 2 runs scored) and Sterling Sams (1 for 2, 1 run scored). Madison scored its 4 runs on 5 hits and committed one error.

An emotional Mark “Pudge” Gjormand, Madison Head Coach, said after the big win, “Awesome, awesome team win. This [Palm Beach Gardens] is as good a team as we’ve played since I’ve been at Madison. Both teams are obviously nationally ranked for a reason. I’m just real proud of our guys. That’s why we work hard all year, to play this type of game. That’s why we’re Madison Warhawks. That was a great team win; I can’t mention one guy. Everyone in this dugout is as important as anyone on the field. We stuck with it, we pounded the rock, and we got water.”

Madison plays next at Tinker Field in the tournament championship game on Friday, April 6^th, at 7:00 pm.

The Madison Warhawks clashed with the Titans of Olympia High School (Orlando, FL) Friday night in the championship game of the Orlando National Baseball Classic, in breezy, chilly conditions at Orlando’s Tinker Field. Both teams came into the game hot, with Madison at 8 – 0 and fresh off a big win over nationally ranked Palm Beach Gardens (FL), and Olympia riding a 5-game winning streak, including a tournament semi-final win over a very tough Pasco (FL) team. The visiting Warhawks sent junior righthander Jesse Jeter to the mound against the home team Titans’ senior southpaw Ryan Countryman.

Countryman pitched a scoreless top of the 1^st, getting Madison’s Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) to ground out, following a strike out with a two-out walk to Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) and a Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) ground out to retire the side. In the bottom of the 1^st, the Titans landed the first blows of the match, scoring 4 runs on 4 hits. After a lead-off walk issued to Brett Butler, Brad Miller drove in Butler with the first run with a triple to the centerfield fence. Nick Kukuchi followed with a single, plating Miller. Chris Taladay added another single, with Kukuchi moving to third and then scoring on a throwing error. Taladay, who had moved to third on the error then scored on Junior Rivera’s ground out for out number one. After a Lamar Byrd ground out, and a Mike Grimes single, Jeter finally escaped the inning by getting Jabari Henry to fly out to short. Olympia had jumped out to a 4 - 0 lead after just one inning.

The pitchers settled in a bit with a scoreless 2^nd inning. In the visitors’ half, Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) led off with a fly ball to the outfield, Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) grounded out and, after Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) drew a two-out walk, D. McIntyre lined out sharply to center to end the Warhawks’ frame. Jeter opened the home half with a lead off strike out of A.J. Mackey and, after allowing a Butler single, retired the side on a Miller chopper to the mound and a Kukuchi ground out to first. After two Olympia still led 4 – 0.

In the 3^rd inning, Madison finally struck back against Countryman. After Alex Andrews (Sr. C) drew a lead-off walk, K. McIntyre singled, and moved to second as Andrews was cut down trying to take third on the play. Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) then walked to give the Warhawks two on with one out. Moniri delivered yet another clutch hit, lacing a double up the gap and driving in K. McIntyre and Tison, and putting Madison back into the game. Sams added to the total, singling in Moniri to draw the Warhawks within one run, at 4 – 3. After Conlon singled to give Madison runners on first and third with one out, Smith grounded out, and Countryman avoided further damage by getting the third out on a strikeout. The Titans clawed one back from Jeter in the bottom of the 3^rd, getting a run on two hits. After Taladay took strike three, Rivera singled and advanced to second on a passed ball. Byrd then grounded out, moving Rivera up to third base, to be driven in by Grimes’ single through the infield. After Henry walked to give Olympia two runners, Jeter ended the threat by inducing a Mackey ground out to short. At the end of three full innings, Olympia led 5 – 3.

The Warhawks would claim the lead in the top of the 4^th, touching Countryman for 4 runs on 3 hits and two walks. D. McIntyre stroked a lead off double to the outfield fence to put a runner in scoring position. After Andrews grounded out, Countryman issued back-to-back walks to K. McIntyre and Tison, to load the bases with Warhawks. Moniri stepped in and delivered yet again, driving in two with a single through the infield. Though Tison was tagged out going for the extra base at third, Madison had tied the score at 5 – 5. The Warhawks were not done yet, however, as Moniri stole second and Sams was hit by a pitch to put two on with two out. Conlon came through with a two-run single to the gap, as Kukuchi’s throw from the outfield went astray and allowed Sams to follow Moniri across the plate. Smith then grounded out to third to end the rally with Madison back on top 7 – 5. There was no quit in Olympia, however, as they counterpunched in the bottom of the inning, as Butler led off with a triple and scored on Miller’s sacrifice fly to left. Jeter induced back-to-back fly balls by Kukuchi and Taladay to close out the frame. After four, Madison held a 7 – 6 lead.

The bats cooled off a bit, as the next two innings would conclude with no further scoring. Jason Farley (Sr. RF) led off the Warhawks’ 5^th with a single through the infield, stole second and was moved to third on D. Mcintyre’s sacrifice fly to the outfield. Madison could not punch the run in, however, as Patrick Lothrop came on in relief of Countryman and induced Andrews and K. McIntyre to ground out to retire the side. Jeter held the Titans scoreless in the bottom of the 5^th, with some memorable help from the Madison infield defense. Leading off, Rivera smoked a grounder between third and short, that Smith went horizontal to snag on one hop, then popped up to gun down the runner for a sparkling out number one. After Byrd chopped out to the mound and Grimes singled, Jeter closed out the 5^th by getting Henry to fly out to left. At the end of five, Madison still led 7 – 6.

After issuing a lead-off double to Tison in the top of the 6^th, Lothrop kept the Warhawks from getting any insurance runs. Although Tison made it as far as third base on a passed ball, the Titans’ drawn-in infield smothered ground outs by Moniri and Sams, and Conlon’s drilled liner went directly to an Olympia outfielder to end the threat. In the Titans’ 6^th, Mackey’s lead off chopper was snared by a leaping Jeter for the first out. After Butler flied out to right and Miller walked, Jeter ended the inning and his night by inducing a Kukuchi tapper back to the mound. Heading into the 7^th and final frame, Madison held on to its 7 – 6 lead.

The Warhawks extended their cushion in the visitors’ half of the 7^th. Smith led off with a double to put a runner in scoring position. After Farley flied out, D. McIntyre walked and Andrews singled to load the bases. Titans lefty Taylor Hammond came on in relief of Lothrop, and proceeded to walk K. McIntyre pushing Smith across with an insurance run. Tison then gave Madison a three-run margin with a sacrifice fly to score D. McIntyre, and Moniri grounded out end the Warhawks’ offensive night, with a solid 9 – 6 lead. Sam Gilbert (Sr. P) came on in relief of Jeter and yielded a single to Taladay that just squeaked past a diving Moniri to put the first Titans runner on. Rivera followed with a double down the left field line to score Taladay. The Warhawks switched pitchers to the left-handed Farley and Byrd greeted him with a single to score Rivera, and the Madison lead was down to one run, 9 – 8. The surging Titans got a little help from the swirling breeze as Grimes knuckling line drive fell safely out of the outfielder’s glove, and Olympia had two on with no outs. With momentum shifting in their favor, the Titans pulled even, as Henry’s single to the left center gap drove in Byrd with the equalizer. Sams hustled to run down the hit and hold the two runners at first and second. Mackey’s sacrifice bunt to third moved the runners up to second and third, and an intentional walk to Butler loaded the bases with Titans. With the infield in, Farley induced Miller to hit a grounder to Moniri, who got the force out at home, and it looked like the Warhawks might escape to extra innings. It was not to be, however, as a hit batter pushed across the winning run for tournament champion Olympia. Madison took the runner-up trophy and its first loss of the season. Final score: Olympia 10, Madison 9.

Jesse Jeter battled the hot Titans’ bats (13 hits total) for 6 innings, giving up 6 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits, striking out 2 and walking 3. Sam Gilbert faced 2 batters, yielded 2 hits and was charged with 2 earned runs. Jason Farley pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up 3 runs (none earned) on 2 hits and 1 walk. Offensively, the Warhawks were led by Arman Moniri (2 for 4, double, 3 RBI), Rich Conlon (2 for 4, 2 RBI), Brig Tison (1 for 2, 1 RBI), Sterling Sams (1 for 3, 1 RBI), Kyle Mcintyre (1 for 2, 1 RBI), David McIntyre (1 for 2, double) and Brian Smith (1 for 3, double). The Warhawks scored their 9 runs on 11 hits, but committed 3 errors, in their loss to the streaking Tita

Following the loss, Mark “Pudge” Gjormand, Madison Head Coach, said, “I don’t think that we were at our best tonight for a championship contest. We started out a little lethargic tonight, and I mean all of us - coaches and players. But you know what, our guys did a real nice job of battling back, taking the lead and putting us in a position to win the game. From there you just have to tip your hat to them [the Olympia Titans]. They’re a hot team, they’ve won a bunch straight, and they earned it tonight. All in all, it’s been a really good week for us. We’re going to learn from this one, go back home, and keep getting better.”

Congratulations to Arman Moniri and Brig Tison as both were honored on the 2007 Orlando National Classic All-Tournament Team!

Brig Tison was also selected as the Tournament's Outstanding Defensive Player!

On yet another chilly night for baseball, the Madison Warhawks hosted the cross-town rival Marshall Statesmen in a return to Liberty District action. A large home crowd comprising Warhawk Nation and a Vienna Cub Scout Pack filled the stands on the Madison side to support senior left-handed ace Jason Farley and the Warhawks against Marshall junior righty Nate Whittington and the Statesmen.

Marshall jumped out to a 2 – 0 lead in the top of the 1^st inning, on three base hits and a Warhawk error. After alead-off ground out by Nutter, Brian Whittington singled through the right side of the infield. Brian Goss moved B. Whittington up with a single up the middle. Andrew Schroth reached on a fielder’s choice and Goss was safe at second on an error and B. Whittington came in to score on the play. Steve Pacheco then walked to load the bases for Marshall and, after Kevin Williamson swung through strike three, Daniel Blakely singled to right to score Goss. With the bases still loaded with Statesmen, Farley fired strike three past Zamir Ahadzada to end the threat. Down 2 – 0 in the bottom of the 1^st, the Warhawks struck right back against N. Whittington. Kyle McIntyre (Jr. CF) led off with a walk. After Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) flied out to the outfield, K. McIntyre stole second and Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) walked to fill first base. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) followed with a single to plate K. McIntyre with the first Madison run. With runners on first and second, Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) laced a double up the gap, scoring Moniri and moving Sams to third. Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) hit a sacrifice fly to score Sams and David McIntyre (Sr. DH) stroked a double to the outfield fence to score Conlon. Alex Andrews (Sr. C) grounded out to end the 1^st inning with Madison in the lead 4 – 2.

With the scoring completed for the game, the pitchers settled into a battle that would keep hanging zeroes on the scoreboard. Farley worked a scoreless 2^nd, issuing a lead off walk to Aaron Gooding, but erasing him when Andrews gunned Gooding down after Nutter looked at a third strike. B. Whittington grounded back to Farley to retire the Statesmen in the 2^nd. N. Whittington matched Farley’s scoreless second, getting Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) on a towering fly out to the infield, K. Mcintyre on a fly out, and, after yielding a two-out single to Tison, seeing Tison gunned down attempting to steal second. After two, Madison held the 4 – 2 lead.

In the Marshall 3^rd, Farley induced Goss to ground out to first base and struck out Schroth for out number two. After Pacheco reached base on an error and stole second, Williamson walked, but the Statesmen were retired as Blakely was called out for interfering with Andrews throw down behind the runner at second. N. Whittington continued to hold down the Warhawks attack in the home half of the 3rd, mixing in his curve ball and getting two quick outs on fly balls by Moniri and Sams. After a two-out walk to Conlon and a single by Smith, Conlon stole third base, but was stranded there as D. McIntyre grounded out to end the inning. The score remained Madison 4, Marshall 2 after three innings.

After Farley induced an Ahadzada line out to short to start the top of the 4^th, back-to-back walks put two Marshall runners on with one out. Farley pitched out of the jam, however, striking out B. Whittington for out number two and getting Goss to ground out to short to end the frame. In the Warhawks’ 4^th, Madison loaded the bases put could not push any runs across. N. Whittington induced a lead-off ground out by Andrews. After Flaherty walked, K. McIntyre singled sharply through the infield, moving Flaherty to second. Tison then walked to load the bases with Warhawks, but a Moniri line out and a Sams ground out put down the uprising, and the 4^th ended with Madison still on top 4 – 2.

Farley had settled in by the top of the 5^th, and concluded his outing with another scoreless frame, inducing ground outs by Schroth and Pacheco and, after Williamson fisted a two-out single through the right side, striking out Blakely to close out the Statesman 5^th. N. Whittington responded with a one-two-three bottom half of the 5^th, retiring Conlon on a ground out, Smith on a long fly driven to the deep part of the outfield that was just snagged by the Marshall outfielder before he crashed into the fence, and D. McIntyre on a hard hit line out to the outfield. After five, Madison held on to its 4 – 2 lead.

Brad Wimmer (Sr. P) took over for Farley in the top of the 6^th inning, with with a save opportunity on the line, and retired side in order, getting Ahadzada to ground out to short, inducing a Gooding tapper back to the mound, and striking out Nutter for the third out. N. Whittington continued to work his way through the Warhawks batting order in the bottom of the 6^th. After a lead off ground out by Andrews, Flaherty reached on a throwing error. K. McIntyre flied out for the second out and, after Flaherty successfully stole second, he was thrown out attempting to get the extra base at third. The 6^th inning ended with Madison still on top 4 – 2.

Wimmer closed out the Statesmen in the top of the 7^th to earn the save. After a lead-off fly out to second by B. Whittington, Goss singled and advanced to third on a misplay in the outfield, but would get no further, as Wimmer struck out Schroth and induced a tapper back to the mound by Pacheco to end the game. Final score: Madison 4, Marshall 2.

Jason Farley went 5 innings to pick up the win, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits, striking out 6 and walking 5. Brad Wimmer earned the save with 2 innings of scoreless work, yielding one hit and no walks, and striking out 2. The Warhawks attack was led by Rich Conlon (1 for 2, double, 1 RBI), David McIntyre (1 for 3, double, 1 RBI), Brian Smith (1 for 2, 1 RBI) and Sterling Sams (1 for 3, 1 RBI). The Warhawks’ 4 runs came on 6 hits, and Madison committed 3 errors.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand commented, “Back to the cold weather and it seemed to slow us down a bit. I thought their guy, Nate Whittington, did a nice job of keeping us off balance tonight. But what I did like was the way we came right back in the first to take back the lead; that showed a good approach at the plate. It was also good to see Brad [Wimmer] come out strong and throw well to get the save. We need to keep getting better, but we’ll take the win.”

Madison continues its Liberty District schedule at 6:30 pm Friday, April 13^th, in an away game at Woodson.

The Madison Warhawks visited the Woodson Cavaliers Friday night. Unseasonably cold weather continued to be the backdrop to Madison’s Liberty District schedule, as the Warhawks and Cavaliers crossed swords on a windy Friday night at Woodson High School. Madison entered the game at 9 – 1, and ranked #3 nationally in the Easton Sports High School Baseball Poll and # 13 nationally in the Baseball America High School Poll. Junior right-hander Jess Jeter took the hill for the Warhawks, dueling Woodson junior righty Joe Carleton.

Madison touched Carleton for three runs in the top of the 1^st, on two hits and two errors. Kyle McIntyre (Jr. RF) hit a lead off single, moved to second when Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) was hit by a pitch, and to third when Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) singled over the infield to load the base with Warhawks. Carleton then balked to score K. McIntyre with the first Madison. Carleton then got two outs on a strikeout and a Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) ground out. Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) then grounded sharply and reached when the throw eluded the first baseman, and Tison came in to score on the error. With runners on first and third and two outs, Smith stole second and Moniri scored when the second baseman could not handle the throw down. The Madison 1^stended when Farley flied out. Jeter opened his first trip through the Woodson lineup with a three-run cushion, and set the Cavaliers down in order with a sparkling defensive play to help him out. After Max Waizenegger struck out to lead off the frame, Jake Morley smoke a low liner between first and second that was headed through until Moniri laid out to his right for the backhand stab to rob Morley of a base hit. Jeter then induced a Jackson Clement fly out to Moniri at first to end the inning. Madison led 3 – 0 after one inning.

Carleton struck out the side in the top of the 2^nd, getting the Cavaliers back to the plate with no further scoring by the Warhawks. In the home half of the inning, Jeter responded by keeping Woodson off the board, leaping himself to snag Martin Selgas’ high chopper to the mound for the first out. After yielding a one-out single through the right side by Kevin Dec, the Madison defense came through, converting John Dunn’s grounder into a smooth 6-4-3 double play to close out the frame. After two innings the score remained 3 – 0, Madison.

The Warhawks manufactured another run on three hits in the visitors’ 3^rd. Tison stroked a lead-off single, and Moniri followed by clubbing a double over the outfield to the fence, putting Madison runners on second and third with no outs. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) delivered, driving in Tison with a ground out. After Conlon singled to move Moniri to third, Carleton escaped without further damage, as Conlon was gunned down stealing second and Smith grounded out to end the threat. Jeter again held the Cavaliers scoreless in the bottom of the 3^rd, getting two quick outs on a Carleton fly out to second and a Moore strikeout. After Ben Halle reached on a hit by pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch, Jeter restored order by firing strike three by Waizenegger to retire the side. The score after three full innings: Madison 4, Woodson 0.

The Warhawks added three more runs in the top of the 4^th, on three hits and a walk. Farley laced a lead-off double to the fence and David McIntyre followed with a perfectly placed bunt single to give Madison runners at the corners with no outs. After Alex Andrews (Sr. C) hit a fly ball to the mound, K. McIntyre plated Farley with a sacrifice fly. Tison then walked to put a second runner on, and Moniri followed with a two-out double roped over the outfield to the fence, driving in D. McIntyre and Tison. Sams flied out to end the rally, but the Madison lead had grown to 7 – 0. Jeter held the shutout through the bottom of the 4^th, allowing a lead-off single to Morley, but then stranding him by striking out Clement, Selgas and Dec to end the inning. Madison led 7 – 0 at the end of four innings.

Madison scored an additional run on three more hits in their half of the 5^th inning. Conlon led off with a single and Smith doubled to give the Warhawks runners on second and third with no outs. Carleton got a strikeout and a hot D. McIntyre lineout to record two outs, but Andrews plated Conlon with a sharp single through the infield, moving Smith to third. K. McIntyre loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch, but Carleton got Tison to line out to end the uprising. Jeter had to battle to escape the home half of the 5^th with the shutout intact. After Dunn reached on fielding error, back-to-back singles by Nick Herbst and Moore loaded the bases with Cavaliers with no outs. Jeter rebounded by getting on Halle a called third strike. After the next batter, Waizenegger, swung through strike three and the ball squirted away from Andrews, Dunn started for home, but Andrews recovered in time to tag Dunn out and end the threat. Jeter left after five with Madison leading 8 – 0.

Herbst took over pitching duties for Woodson in the top of the 6^th, and was greeted with Moniri’s deep fly ball to the fence, that nearly went out. Sams then reached on a dropped third strike. Conlon then drove in two more runs for Madison, lashing a no-doubt homer that put the Warhawks on top 10 – 0. After Smith walked and Herbst got a strikeout for out number two, D. McIntyre drilled a single to the gap, moving Smith to third base and taking second behind him on the throw. Herbst escaped further damage by getting Andrews to fly out. Sams relieved Jeter for Madison in the bottom of the 6^th, and preserved the shutout, getting Morley to look at strike three, Clement to fly out to right field and Selgas to ground out to short to end the game. Final score: Madison 10, Woodson 0.

Jesse Jeter and Sterling Sams combined for the shutout, with Jeter working 5 innings for the win, giving up no runs on 4 hits, striking out 8 and walking none. Sams pitched a scoreless final inning, striking out 1 and walking none. All 9 Warhawk positions in the lineup had base hits, with the offense led by Rich Conlon (3 for 4, home run, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored), Arman Moniri (3 for 4, double, 2 RBI), David McIntyre (2 for 4), Kyle McIntyre (1 for 2, 1 RBI), Brian Smith (1 for 3, double), Jason Farley (1 for 3, double), Alex Andrews (1 for 4, 1 RBI), and Brig Tison (1 for 2, 3 runs scored). Madison scored its10 runs on a total of 13 hits and committed one error.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said about the game, “That’s Madison Warhawks baseball. I was just really pleased with the approach tonight and the effort all around. I liked how we jumped out to a lead and then Jesse [Jeter] set the tone early, wore out the strike zone, and got us back to plate real quick. Also Sterling [Sams] gave us his first inning of the year and looked good. It was great to see us swing the bats like we did, great to see us work out of a bases loaded jam, great to post the shutout, especially against a team like that that can really swing the bats themselves. I’m just real pleased with tonight’s effort”

The Warhawks next travel to Langley on Tuesday, April 17^th, for a 6:30 pm Liberty District match-up against the Saxons.

A stiff wind and a game-time temperature of 50 degrees portended a typically tense contest at Langley High School between Liberty District rivals Madison Warhawks and Langley Saxons. An impressively well-attended game, under the circumstances, saw Warhawk Nation matched by a Saxon crowd supplemented by strong student body representation. Langley tabbed sophomore Joey Zarella to take on Madison senior ace Jason Farley, in a lefty-lefty starters’ duel.

Zarella pitched a one-two-three top of the 1^st inning, striking out the first two Warhawk batters and getting Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) on a fly ball to the outfield. Langley opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1^st, getting one unearned run on three hits. After Farley got Tommy Tysse to fly out to right, Ross Kelly singled through the left side and advanced to second on a passed ball. Foster Dunnigan followed with a single to right to move Kelly to third and Chaz Ayoub singled up the middle to score Kelly and move Dunnigan to second. Farley then got Eddie Gonzalez to swing through strike three for the second out. With two on and two outs, Chris Sievers reached base on a dropped third strike to load the bases, but Farley pitched out of the jam by getting Zarella to ground out to first. At the end of the 1^st inning, Langley led 1 – 0.

Three scoreless innings followed, as the pitchers settled in and benefited from the wind holding up several hard hit balls for outfield outs. In the top of the 2^nd, Madison tried for the equalizer, as Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) reached on an outfield error. Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) moved Sams to second with his single to the gap and the Warhawks had two on with no outs. Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) then ripped a line drive to the gap that looked like extra bases, but was robbed of base hit and RBIs by a “web gem” running, diving catch by Kelly. Zarella escaped the threat as David McIntyre (Sr. CF) and Alex Andrews (Sr. C) lined out to retire the side. In the home half of the 2^nd, Farley prevented the Saxons from extending their lead, by striking out Ricky Hanna, picking Daniel Bergamesca off first after he reached with a single, and inducing Tysse to ground out to third. After two, the score remained 1 – 0, Langley.

The Warhawks hit Zarella hard in the top of the 3^rd, but could not break through, as the Saxons’ outfield settled under Collin Flaherty’s (Jr. RF) deep fly ball to the gap, Kyle McIntyre’s (Jr. DH) outfield liner and Brig Tison’s (Jr. 2B) fly ball to the outfield fence. Farley pitched a one-two-three Langley 3^rd, retiring Kelly and Dunnigan on grounders to short and Ayoub on a line out to the left-center gap, when Sams made his own running, diving circus catch for out number three. After three, Langley still led 1 – 0.

Zarella held the Warhawks scoreless for one more frame in the visitors’ half of the 4^th, sandwiching Moniri and Conlon groundouts around a strikeout to set the side down in order. Farley responded with a one-two-three 4^th of his own, inducing a knuckling Gonzalez ground out to third striking out Sievers and out number three when Andrews pounced on Zarella’s swinging bunt in front of the plate and fired to first. After four full innings, Langley held on to its 1 – 0 lead.

Madison finally got to Zarella in the top of the 5^th. After Smith and D. McIntyre flied out to the outfield, Andrews reached on a two-out walk. With courtesy runner Casey Turner (Jr. PR) in motion, Collin Flaherty launched a missile to the gap that sliced through the heavy wind and cleared the fence for an electric two-run homer. Zarella induced K. McIntyre to ground out to end the frame, but Madison had taken the lead 2 – 1. Langley responded by mounting a threat in the bottom of the 5^th. After Farley got two quick outs on a Hanna strike out and a Bergamesca ground out to third, Tysse singled and stole second and Kelly walked to give the Saxons two runners on with two out. Dunningan’s grounder then found its way through the infield and Tysse rounded third headed for home, but a perfect throw by a charging D. McIntyre in center gunned Tysse down at the plate to end the uprising. Madison led 2 – 1 after five.

With order restored, the Warhawks set about extending their lead in the top of the 6^th. Tison led off with a single and stole second, and Langley elected to intentionally walk Moniri to put two on with no outs. After Sams flied out to the mound, Conlon reached and Tison came in to score on an infield error, with Moniri moving to second. Smith moved the runners up to second and third with his ground out and, after D. McIntyre walked to load the bases, Andrews scorched a double off the outfield fence to plate three more Madison runs. Dunnigan moved to the mound for Langley in relief of Zarella and ended the rally with a strike out, but Madison had padded its lead to 6 – 1. Brad Wimmer (Sr. P) took over for Farley to face the Saxons in the bottom of the 6^th, got Ayoub to ground out to third and, after yielding a single to Gonzalez, struck out Sievers and Graham Dubow to retire the side. After six, Madison could breathe a bit more easily, with a 6 – 1 lead.

Dunnigan worked through a scoreless Warhawks’ 7^th, getting K. McIntyre to fly out and, after walking Tison, retiring Moniri on a ground out and Sams on a sharp line out to the gap. Sams went to the hill for the final frame in place of Wimmer, and retired Mahn on a lead off grounder to first. Bergamesca then walked and scored on Tysse’s double to left. Sams then got Kelly to line out and issued a two-out walk to Dunnigan to give Langley two on with two out, but got Ayoub to line out on a nice running catch by K. McIntyre in left to close out the Saxons and the game. Final score: Madison 6, Langley 2.

Jason Farley earned the win with 5 solid innings of pitching under difficult conditions, allowing 1 run (unearned) on 5 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5. Brad Wimmer pitched 1 inning, giving up 1 hit and no runs, and striking out 2. Sterling Sams pitched the final inning, and allowed 1 earned run on 1 hit and 2 walks, and helped the defensive cause with his 3^rd inning highlight-reel catch in left. Collin Flaherty (1 for 3, home run, 2 RBI) and Alex Andrews (1 for 2, double, 3 RBI) did the major offensive damage for Madison, with support from Rich Conlon (1 for 3, 1 run scored) and Brig Tison (1 for 3, 1 run scored). The Warhawks scored their 6 runs on 4 hits – including the 2 timely extra base hits – and committed 1 error.

“I’m really pleased,” said Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand. “A tough, tough night to play baseball. I thought we had a great approach tonight. We had to be very patient and make some adjustments, especially when we hit some balls on the nose early but nothing was falling with that wind blowing in. We did a nice job of pounding the rock and we finally got some water there with Collin [Flaherty]. I thought Jason [Farley] did a great job of keeping us in it after giving up that run in the 1^st. Then he just kind of settled in, we made some plays behind him, and he kept us in position to pick up this tough win. We did what we needed to do tonight, kids and coaches, to come out on top on a night like this. I’m just real proud of effort all the way around.”

The Madison Warhawks hosted the Stone Bridge Bulldogs in a rare Saturday evening contest, moved from Friday in deference to memorials for the unspeakable Virginia Tech tragedy the preceding Monday. Players, coaches and a crowd numbering in the hundreds shared a moment of silence to honor the victims before the call of “Play ball” allowed all present the diversion of a high school baseball game. With a game time temperature of 79 degrees and bright sunshine, junior righty Jesse Jeter took the ball for Madison, facing Stone Bridge junior righthanded sidewinder Michael Palmer. The second half of the Liberty District circuit was underway.

Jeter worked a scoreless top of the 1^st, getting lead off hitter Collin Pearson and Johnny Bladel to ground out and, after Mike Stancik reached on a walk, inducing a Jeron Gouveia grounder to second to force Stancik for out number three. In the bottom of the 1^st, a Warhawks power surge opened the scoring. After Kyle McIntyre’s (Jr. DH) lead off ground out and Brig Tison’s (Jr. 2B) pop out to the infield, Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) smoked a double up the gap. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) walked to fill first base and Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) lashed a home run to plate three Madison runs. Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) followed with a single, but was caught stealing to end the inning. After one, Madison had jumped on top 3 – 0.

After allowing a lead off single to Brian Wheaton in the visitors’ 2^nd, Jeter again kept the Bulldogs off the board, sandwiching Matt Irwin and Patrick Thompson choppers back to the mound around a strikeout of Chris Martinez to close out the frame. The Warhawks added another run in the bottom of the 2^nd. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) led off with a triple to the deepest part of the ball park and Alex Andrews (Sr. C) walked and was replaced by courtesy runner Casey Turner (Jr. PR), who stole second. D. McIntyre came into score as the catcher’s throw down to second bounced away. Turner stole third on strike three to the next Warhawk batter, but was stranded as Tison flied out to retire the side. At the end of two innings, Madison had extended its lead to 4 – 0.

The Bulldogs clawed one back off Jeter in the top of the 3^rd, on two hits and a Warhawk error. After Tyler Basso grounded back to the pitcher, Pearson singled to right and moved up to second when Bladel’s tapper could not be handled. Pearson advanced to third on Stancik’s grounder to short, as Conlon took the force out at second. Gouveia then singled to the gap in left center, scoring Pearson. After Stancik and Gouveia both advanced on a double steal, Jeter ended the uprising by catching Wheaton looking at strike three. In the home half of the 3^rd, the Warhawks struck back against the Bulldogs. Moniri led off with a single, and Palmer loaded the bases by hitting Sams with a pitch and walking Conlon. Ty Weaver came on in relief of Palmer, with the bases loaded with Warhawks and no outs, and hit Smith and D. McIntyre with pitches to push across two runs, and Andrews’ sacrifice fly and Collin Flaherty’s bunt single drove in two more runs to extend the Madison lead to 8 – 1. Palmer escaped further damage by getting a strike out and a Tison fly out for out number three. The score after three: Madison 8, Stone Bridge 1.

Jeter yielded a lead off double to Irwin to open the 4^th, but worked out of the jam, getting Martinez to ground out to first, Thompson to pop out to second and Basso to line out to second. Weaver kept the Warhawks off the board in the bottom of the 4^th. Moniri lined out sharply to lead off and, after Sams reached on a hit by pitch, Weaver escaped the frame as Sams was forced at second on Conlon’s grounder and Smith was robbed of a hit inside the bag that looked like extra bases. After four full innings, Madison’s lead remained 8 – 1.

In the Bulldogs’ half of the 5^th, Jeter retired the side in order with help from the infield defense. After Jeter induced Pearson to ground out to first, Smith turned in the first Warhawks “web gem” of the day, diving to his left to pick off Bladel’s low liner. Stancik then grounded out to Smith at third to retire the side. After a ground out by D. McIntyre to lead off the bottom of the 5^th, Madison added another run against Weaver. Andrews singled and Turner again came on to run for him. After Flaherty flied out, Jason Farley (Sr. DH) singled to move Turner to third. Tison then reached on a throwing error, Turner came in to score, and Farley and Tison moved up to second and third as the ball ended up in the visitors’ dugout. Moniri then grounded out to end the threat, but at the end of the 5^th inning the Madison lead was extended to 9 – 1.

In the top of the 6^th, Jeter benefited from the play of the game, as D. McIntyre tracked Gouveia’s deep fly into the left center gap and made a spectacular running, backhanded catch over his shoulder just in front of the outfield fence. Wheaton then lined out to left and Irwin popped out to short to end the frame. The Warhawks added one more in the bottom of the inning, as Smith followed a Sams fly out and Conlon ground out by launching a solo home run. D. McIntyre’s fly out ended the 6^th with the Warhawks in command 10 – 1.

Jeter returned to the mound in the top of the 7^th to close out his complete game victory, retiring Martinez on a fly ball to center, Zach Thompson on a ground out to second and Pearson on a grounder to second. Final score: Madison 10, Stone Bridge 1.

Jeter went the distance for the win, pitching 7 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 4 hits and 1 walk, and striking out 2. Brian Smith (2 for 3, home run, 2 RBI) and Rich Conlon (1 for 3, home run, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored) led the power surge, with Arman Moniri (2 for 4, double, 2 runs scored) and David McIntyre (1 for 3, triple, 1 RBI) adding extra base hits, and Alex Andrews (1 for 1, 1 RBI) and Collin Flaherty (1 for 3, 1 RBI) driving in runs. The Warhawks scored their 10 runs on 9 hits and committed one error.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said after the victory, “After a kind of crazy week, I thought it was a great night for baseball. It finally warmed up and we had a great crowd out here. I was real pleased with how we were able to focus after what happened at Virginia Tech, and I’m just real proud of all the guys. I thought Jesse [Jeter] was outstanding, throwing strikes and letting his defense work behind him. We beat a good team, the second place team, tonight. The kids had a great approach and did the job in front of this big crowd. A lot of fun.”

Madison continues its home stand on Tuesday, April 24^th, with a 6:30 pm start against McLean.

On another beautiful night for baseball, the Madison Warhawks played host to the McLean Highlanders in a mid-week Liberty District match-up. McLean sent senior #1 righthander Drew Morgan to the hill to face off against Madison senior southpaw ace Jason Farley.

Farley opened the top of the 1^st by firing strike three past Ryan Blackwell. Sean Fitzgerald reached with a single to right, but was gunned down by Warhawks catcher Alex Andrews (Sr. C) attempting to steal second. Tyler Thompson then grounded out to first to retire the side. Madison drew first blood in the home half of the inning, plating three runs on two hits, a McLean error and two hit batters. Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) reached on shortstop Fitzgerald’s high throw to first and moved up to second on Brig Tison’s (Jr. 2B) single through the infield. Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) took a fastball to the jaw in a scary hit by pitch to load the bases and Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) delivered two runs for Madison with a sharp single through the infield. With runners on first and second, Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) flied out and Brian Smith was hit by a pitch to re-load the bases with Warhawks. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) scored Moniri with a deep sacrifice fly, as Sams advanced to third. Smith stole second to put two more runners in scoring position with two outs, but Morgan escaped further damage by getting Andrews to pop out to end the inning. After one inning, Madison had jumped on top 3 – 0.

Morgan led off the McLean 2^nd with a bloop double over Matt Zepp (Jr. 1B, in for Moniri) at first base, just beating Zepp’s throw to take second. Farley induced Denis Buckley to ground out to second for the first out, as Morgan moved up to third base. Quinn Pippin’s roller then skipped away from the infield for an error, pushing Morgan across with McLean’s first run. Farley got the second out when Andrew Stowe was called out for interfering with Andrews’ throw down to second on Pippin’s steal attempt. With Pippin sent back to first, Farley ended the frame by getting Erik Payne to ground out to short. Morgan pitched a one-two-three bottom of the 2^nd, getting a strikeout, and K. McIntyre and Tison ground outs to end the inning. After two, Madison’s lead had been cut to 3 – 1.

The pitchers then settled in for two scoreless innings. Farley retired the Highlanders in order in the top of the 3^rd, striking out Kendall Wilkins, and getting Blackwell and Fitzgerald to ground out. Morgan responded with a scoreless bottom of the 3^rd, getting a re-entered Moniri to ground out, Sams to fly out and Conlon to ground out to close out the inning. Madison’ lead stood at 3 – 1 after three full innings.

Farley cruised through the McLean half of the 4^th, retiring Thompson on a ground out to second, striking out Morgan and getting Buckley on a lineout second. Morgan continued to change speeds effectively, holding off the Warhawks in a scoreless bottom of the 4^th, getting Smith on a ground out and, after a strikeout, retiring Andrews on a high fly ball to the outfield. After four, the score stood at Madison 3, McLean 1.

Farley pitched an economical six-pitch 5^th, getting Pippin and Stowe on first-pitch ground outs to short and third, respectively, and retiring Payne on a soft, sinking liner to Tison at second. The Warhawks solved Morgan in the home half of the 5^th, breaking through for 7 runs on 7 hits and an error. Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) led off with a sharp single down the line and advanced to second on K. McIntyre’s sacrifice bunt. Tison walked behind him to give Madison two base runners with one out. Moniri then drilled a single up the outfield gap to plate Flaherty and move Tison to third. After Moniri stole second, Sams again came through, singling through the infield to score Tison and move Moniri up a base. Sams then stole second and Conlon walked to load the bases, and Smith smacked a single to drive in Moniri and re-load the bases. D. McIntyre then laced a double down the line to drive in Sams and Conlon and move Smith to third. With two runners in scoring position, Andrews drove in Smith, reaching base when the infield field to handle his grounder. With D. McIntyre at third, Casey Turner (Jr. PR), courtesy running for Andrews, stole second, and Flaherty rapped his second single of the inning to score D. McIntyre. Wilkins came on in relief of Morgan to face K. McIntyre, who greeted him with a single to the outfield to load the bases for Madison yet again. Wilkins responded by ending the rally and the inning with two strikeouts. After five innings, Madison had stretched its lead to 10 – 1.

Lefty Ted Williams (Jr. P) took over pitching duties from Farley to face the Highlanders’ in the top of the 6^th. Williams threw an efficient six pitches, setting the side down in order on three ground outs by Sam Kaiser, Blackwell and Fitzgerald. In the bottom of the 6^th, Madison looked to close out the game by adding one more run. David Fathalakhani (Jr. DH) led off with a fly ball that fell safely in the outfield and turned it into a double by running hard all the way. Turner walked to put two Warhawks on with no outs, and with Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B) at the plate Fathalakhani took third on a past ball. Schrock delivered the run by stroking a sinking line drive single to the outfield, ending the game in six innings as Fathalakhani crossed the plate. Final score: Madison 11, McLean 1.

Jason Farley worked 5 smooth innings to earn the win, giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits, striking out 3, and allowing no walks. Ted Williams pitched a scoreless inning, allowing no runs or hits, and walking no one. Sterling Sams (2 for 3, 3 RBI) and David McIntyre (1 for 3, double, 3 RBI) led the attack, backed up by Collin Flaherty (2 for 3, 1 RBI), Arman Moniri (1 for 3, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored), Brian Smith (1 for 2, 1 RBI, 1 run scored), David Fathalakhani (1 for 1, double, 1 run scored) and Andrew Schrock (1 for 1, 1 RBI). The Warhawks collected 11 hits on their way to their 11-run total, and committed 1 error.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand characterized the game as, “Another good night of baseball. [McLean Head Coach] John [Thomas] always has his guys ready to play and they got after it pretty good tonight. [Drew] Morgan is their number one, and I thought he did a nice job of changing speeds and keeping us from figuring him out for a while after we jumped on him in the first. Our guy, Jason [Farley], did a great job of holding them off after they got one back there in the second. He pounded the zone and let the defense work and we made some plays behind him. I really liked our approach and the way we stayed with it, stayed patient, and once we got it going it was tough to tell the difference when put in some of our young guys and they wrapped it up for us. That’s Madison Warhawk baseball.”

The Warhawks’ next game is a Liberty District contest at Thomas Jefferson, on Friday, April 27^th at 6:30 pm.

The Madison Warhawks traveled to Thomas Jefferson High School to take on a hot Colonials squad that was fresh off a big victory over Langley. TJ gave the ball to senior righty Mike Mensing and Madison countered with junior righthander Jesse Jeter.

Mensing started strongly in the top of the 1^st, changing speeds effectively and getting two quick strikeouts before Arman Moniri (Sr. DH) lined out to end the Warhawks’ first frame. In the bottom of the 1^st, the Colonials jumped out to take the lead against Jeter, scoring three runs on three hits and a Madison error. After Jeter struck out John LaBarge to open the inning, Alex Radcliffe singled and Drew Pyrak walked to put two Colonials on with one out. Jeter got the second out by firing strike three past Patrick Yaroch, but Mensing delivered two runs for TJ by stroking a double off fence in the left-center gap. Mensing then broke for third on a pitch in the dirt and came in to score when the throw down skipped into left field. Alan Allworth singled to give the Colonials another base runner, but Jeter ended the uprising by getting JB VandeSand to ground out to first. At the end of the 1^st, TJ had taken a 3 – 0 lead.

Jeter and Mensing settled in for two scoreless innings, with both working one-two-three frames in the 2^nd. Mensing retired the Warhawks in the top of the second on two fly balls, by Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) and Rich Conlon (Sr. SS), and a strikeout. Jeter responded by striking out the side, getting John Seidman and Tom Warner to swing at strike three and catching LaBarge looking to end the inning. After two, the Colonials’ lead stood at 3 – 0.

In the visitors’ half of the 3^rd, Madison tried to mount an offensive. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) drew a lead off walk to give the Warhawks their first base runner. After Alex Andrews (Sr. C) popped out for out number one, Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) lined a single to put runners on first and second with one out. Jason Farley (Sr. 1B) then singled to load the bases for Madison, but Mensing escaped the jam by getting Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) on a fly ball and Moniri on a ground out to retire the side. Jeter again retired the Colonials in order in the bottom of the 3^rd, getting Radcliffe to ground back to the mound, Pyrak to pop put to the catcher and Yaroch to ground out to third. TJ held on to its 3 – 0 lead after three full innings.

Although Madison again threatened in the top of the 4^th, TJ kept the Warhawks off the board once more. After Mensing yielded back-to-back singles to Sams and Conlon to open the inning, Ryan Stumvoll came on in relief of Mensing to face Brian Smith (Sr. 3B), inducing him to pop up for the first out. After out number two on a strike out, Sams and Conlon advanced on a passed ball, but Stumvoll stranded the runners by getting Andrews to pop out to end the threat. In the home half of the 4^th, TJ padded its lead with another run on two hits. Mensing led off with a single through the right side and moved into scoring position on Allworth’s sacrifice bunt to the first base side. VandeSand singled inside the third base bag and Mensing moved up to third base, and came in to score on Seidman’s ground out to second. Jeter escaped further damage by getting Warner to ground out to second. After four, the Colonials had extended their lead to 4 – 0.

In the top of the 5^th, the Warhawks finally put a run on the board. After Flaherty’s lead off ground out, Farley singled and moved to second as Tison reached on a fielder’s choice. With two on and one out, Moniri came through once more for the Warhawks, plating Farley with his laser double over the outfield. With runners at second and third and one out, however, Stumvoll worked out of the inning with two strike outs. After issuing lead off walk to LaBarge and a single to Radcliffe, Jeter and the Warhawks’ defense held TJ scoreless in the bottom of the 5^th. With Colonials on first and second and no outs, Farley pounced on Pyrak’s sacrifice bunt attempt to the first base side and fired to Smith at third to force out LaBarge. Madison escaped the inning with a 5 – 3 double play, as Smith fielded Yaroch’s grounder and stepped on third to force out Radcliffe, then fired to first for out number three. After five full innings, the Colonials held a 4 – 1 lead.

With Stumvoll hanging tough on the mound, Madison clawed back two more runs against TJ in the top of the 6^th. After Smith led off with a single and advanced all the way to third on a wild pitch, Stumvoll got the first out on a strikeout and Kyle McIntyre (Jr. PH) lined out sharply directly to a waiting outfielder. With two outs, Smith scored on another wild pitch, and Flaherty followed with a two-out single through the infield to keep the Warhawks’ inning alive. Farley’s single to the gap scored Flaherty from first and Farley ended up at second as the ball skipped away from the outfielder. Yaroch came in to relieve Stumvoll and promptly walked Tison, with Farley in motion and taking third on the play. Yaroch and the Colonials escaped, however, as Moniri flied out to end the rally. In the bottom of the frame, TJ responded once again, as Mensing led off with a home run to right center. After Allworth reached on an infield throwing error, Jeter struck out VandeSand for out number one. Allworth moved to second on a balk and Seidman walked to end Jeter’s outing. Brad Wimmer (Sr. P) took over pitching duties for Madison and closed out the frame by striking out LaBarge and getting Radcliffe to ground to Tison at second, who took the force at second for the third out. After six innings, TJ held a two-run lead, 5 – 3.

Down to their last at-bat in the top of the 7^th, the Warhawks came out swinging against Yaroch. Sams’ lead off chopper over the infield was followed by Conlon’s single, to give Madison two on and none out. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and the Warhawks had two runners in scoring position with no outs. Smith’s ground out plated Sams to pull Madison within one, at 5 – 4. After Yaroch got the second out on a strike out, Andrews launched a line drive, but it fell harmlessly into the glove of a perfectly positioned outfielder and the Colonials had secured the victory. Final score: TJ 5, Madison 4.

Jesse Jeter went 5 1/3 innings for the Warhawks, yielding 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits, striking out 6 and walking 3. Brad Wimmer worked a scoreless 2/3 of an inning, allowing no runs or hits, striking out 1 and walking 1. Leading the Warhawks offense against TJ’s effective pitching effort were Jason Farley (3 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored), Collin Flaherty (2 for 3, 1 run scored), Arman Moniri (1 for 4, double, 1 RBI), Sterling Sams (2 for 4, 1 run scored), Brian Smith (1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored) and Rich Conlon 2 for 4). The Warhawks scored their 5 runs on 11 scattered hits, and committed two errors.

After the game, Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, “First of all I have to tip my hat to Jefferson. I told the kids before the game that I just felt it could be that kind of night. It kind of reminded me of the Olympia [High School, Orland, FL] situation earlier in the year, because they were hot, coming off a big win over Langley, with nothing to lose. But you have to give them credit; they outplayed us and out-coached us in every way. Coach Lightle does a great job and had his kids ready; they came to hunt and we did not. We kind of pressed tonight and just weren’t sharp. So we’re going to go back to it and we’ll get back after it Tuesday at home.”

The Warhawks seek to return to the win column in their next Liberty District match-up, at home on Tuesday, May 1, against South Lakes.

Madison’s Warhawks hosted the South Lakes Seahawks in a Liberty District match-up on a perfect night for baseball. Vienna Little League night filled up the stands and open areas with aspiring baseball players and Warhawks fans, creating a buzz throughout the game. Madison lefty ace Jason Farley (Sr. P) took the mound against senior southpaw Mike Boyle for the Seahawks.

In the top of the 1^st, Boyle led off with an infield single off the glove of Farley. Noah Sweet was then retired as his sacrifice bunt was fielded by Alex Andrews (Sr. C) and Boyle advanced to second. Farley then struck out Tommy Flynn and ended the frame by picking Boyle off second with a nice move. The Warhawks put up three runs in the bottom of the 1st on four hits. Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) reached on a hit by pitch and was moved to second by Brig Tison’s (Jr. 2B) sacrifice bunt. After Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) grounded out, Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) doubled to score K. McIntyre. Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) followed with a single to drive in Sams, and Brian Smith’s (Sr. 3B) gave Madison two runners on with two outs. David McIntyre’s (Sr. CF) single delivered Conlon for the third Warhawk run, and the inning ended when Smith was caught attempting to steal third base. After one, Madison had jumped out to a 3 – 0 lead.

Farley cruised through the visitors’ 2^nd, getting John Huppi to fly out, striking out Matt Blackerby and inducing Paul Kirchner to ground out to third. Smith made a standout play on Kirchner’s grounder down the line, backhanding the shot deep behind the third base bag and gunning to first for the out. Boyle pitched a scoreless Warhawks’ 2^nd, opening by retiring Andrews on a ground out. After issuing walks to Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) and K. McIntyre, Flaherty was caught attempting to steal third and the inning ended on Tison’s ground out. At the end of two innings, the Warhawk lead stood at 3 – 0.

In the Seahawks’ 3^rd, Farley worked a one-two-three inning, as Conor Zagurski and Brine Crawford grounded out to second and third, respectively, and Bobby Clinage lined out to right field. The Warhawks added four more runs in the bottom of the inning, on four hits. Moniri led off with a ground out and Sams followed with a single, the first of four consecutive hits in the rally. Conlon’s laser double to the outfield fence gave Madison runners at the corners with one out, and Smith delivered with a sharp single to the outfield, scoring Sams and moving Conlon to third. Conlon then came in to score on a passed ball and Smith moved up to second on the play. D. McIntyre’s flare single over the infield moved Smith to third, and D. McIntyre then stole second to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Andrews’ deep sacrifice fly to the gap drove in Smith, and McIntyre followed across the plate on a throwing error on the relay. Boyle struck out he next batter to escape further damage, but Madison had pushed its lead to 7 – 0 at the end of the 3^rd.

Farley again set the Seahawks down in order in the top of the 4^th, getting Boyle and Sweet to line out to second and firing strike three past Flynn to end the frame. The Warhawks scored 3 more times in the home half of the 4^th, on 5 hits. Madison opened with three straight singles, by K. McIntyre, Tison and Moniri, the last of which scored K. McIntyre and left the Warhawks with two on and no outs. Tison advanced to third and scored when the South Lakes catcher’s throw behind Moniri at first went astray. With Moniri at third, Sams flied out and Conlon followed with a single to drive in a run. Smith was then hit by a pitch and D. McIntyre singled through the infield to load the bases with Warhawks with one out. Crawford took over pitching duties for South Lakes and induced an inning-ending double play grounder by Andrews. After four full innings, the Madison lead had grown to 10 – 0.

Brad Wimmer came on in relief of Farley in the top of the 5^th, with a chance to close out the game. After Huppi reached on an infield error, Wimmer induced Scott Reed to ground into a smooth 5-4-3 double play to erase the lead runner and leave just one out to go. Kirchner then grounded to Matt Zepp (Jr. 1B) who flipped to Wimmer covering first to end the inning and the game. Final score: Madison 10, South Lakes 0.

Jason Farley and Brad Wimmer combined for the 1-hit shutout on 5 innings. Farley went 4 innings, allowing 1 hit, no runs and no walks, and striking out 3. Wimmer pitched one scoreless frame, allowing no hits and no walks. Rich Conlon (3 for 3, double 2 RBI, 2 runs scored), Sterling Sams (2 for 3, double, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored), David McIntyre (3 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored), and Brian Smith (2 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored) led the offense, with support from Arman Moniri (1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored), Brig Tison (1 for 2, 1 run scored) and Kyle McIntyre (1 for 3, 2 runs scored). The Warhawks pounded out 13 hits to generate their 10 runs and committed 1 error.

After the game, Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand commented, “Real pleased. I thought we would respond this way and we did. I’m real proud of the guys and how they handled last Friday. We had to turn the page and get back into the win column and get a little bit closer to our goal of locking up the Liberty District regular season. So we’ve got to go to Marshall on Friday for a tough road game, but I thought everybody did an outstanding job tonight and we’ll try to carry that over to the next one.”

The Warhawks travel to Marshall on Friday, May 4^th, to take on the Statesmen in a 6:30 pm start.

The Madison Warhawks traveled across town to take on the Marshall Statesmen, in the latest episode in their Liberty District rivalry. Junior righthander Nate Whittington took the ball for Marshall – his second start against Madison this season – against senior righty Brad Wimmer for the Warhawks.

Whittington started off well in the top of the 1^st, sandwiching a Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) ground out between two strikeouts to work a scoreless inning. After Wimmer struck out lead off hitter Kevin Nutter, Andrew Schroth hit a double to left, advanced to third on Ryan Goss’ single to left and scored on Kevin Williamson’s swinging bunt as Wimmer took the out at first. Wimmer escaped further damage by striking out Trey Thomas to end the inning. After one, Marshall led 1 – 0.

The Warhawks solved Whittington in the visitors’ half of the 2^nd, scoring three runs on three hits and 2 walks. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) led off with a walk and moved up to third on Rich Conlon’s (Sr. SS) double off the outfield fence, and Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) walked to load the bases with no outs. Jason Farley (Sr. DH) delivered Sams with the first Warhawks run on a sacrifice fly and Alex Andrews (Sr. C) reloaded the bases with a single through the infield. Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) drew a walk to push Conlon across with another run, and David McIntyre (Sr. CF) plated Smith with a single through the infield. The Warhawks could not add more, however, as Tison popped out and Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) flied out to end the frame. Wimmer worked a one-two-three bottom of the 2^nd, striking out Tom Pacheco, and getting Daniel Blakely to line out to second and Tony LaBarbera to ground out to third. After two, Madison had taken the lead 3 – 1.

Madison extended the lead on the top of the 3^rd, adding two runs on two hits. After Sams grounded out to lead off the inning, Conlon singled sharply and Smith mashed the second pitch from Whittington for a no-doubt, two run home run. Farley flied out and Andrews lined out sharply to end the at-bat. Wimmer again retired the Statesmen in order in the bottom of the frame, getting consecutive ground outs by Aaron Gooding, Nutter and Schroth to end the third inning with Madison on top 5 – 1.

In the top of the 4^th, the Warhawks broke the game open with fore more runs. Flaherty led off with a walk and D. McIntyre and Tison followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases with Warhawks. Moniri scored Flaherty and D. McIntyre with a single to the outfield. Sams then singled to score Tison from second to end Whittington’s outing. Goss took the mound in relief for Marshall and got a strikeout for out number one. After Moniri and Sams moved up to third and second, respectively, on a wild pitch, Smith’s sacrifice fly plated Moniri. Goss escaped further damage with a strikeout to end the Madison inning. Wimmer pitched another scoreless frame in the bottom of the 4^th, inducing Goss to ground out to Smith at third and, after hitting Williamson with a pitch, watching Sams channel Willie Mays in spectacular fashion, with a back-to-the-plate, over-the-shoulder running basket catch at the warning track in left for out number two. Pachecco then struck out to end the inning. After four full innings, Madison led 9 – 1.

Andrews led off the top of the 5^th for the Warhawks with a sharp single and moved to second when Flaherty was hit by a pitch. The runners moved up a base on a wild pitch and Andrews scored on D. McIntyre’s grounder to short, that was thrown away to give Madison runners at the corners and no outs. After Tison walked to load the bases, Matt Zepp (Jr. 1B) drove in Flaherty and reached on a fielder’s choice, with Tsion forced out at second. After a strikeout for out number two, Casey Turner (Jr. 2B) walked to reload the bases and Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B) lined out to end the frame. Ted Williams took over for Wimmer in the bottom of the 5^th, with a chance to close out the game. Williams got two quick outs on consecutive ground outs by Blakely and LaBarbera and, after Gooding singled, ended the game by getting Nutter to fly out to center. Final score: Madison 11, Marshall 1.

Brad Wimmer went 4 strong innings, giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits, walking none and striking out 4. Ted Williams pitched a scoreless inning, allowing 1 hit and walking no one. Brian Smith (1 for 2, home run, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored), Arman Moniri (1 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 run scored), and Rich Conlon (2 for 3, double, 2 runs scored) were key contributors to the offense, with support from David McIntyre (2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored), Alex Andrews (2 for 3), Collin Flaherty (1 RBI, 2 runs scored), Jason Farley (1 RBI) and Matt Zepp (1 RBI). Madison banged out 10 hits to generate the 11 runs, and committed no errors.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said after the game, “Good job. That’s the best we’ve seen from Brad so far this season. He was dominant tonight, locating well and setting the pace for us after that first inning. I thought we did a nice job all around. We obviously swung the bats well and did what we needed to do tonight. It’s kind of nice to lock things up; we know we’re going to regionals and we’re in good shape for the [Liberty District] regular season title as well. Real pleased with our effort tonight and look forward to getting back at it Tuesday.”

	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Madison	0	3	2	4	2	11	10	0
Marshall	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	1

Pitchers: B. Wimmer (W, 4 IP), T. Williams ( 1IP)

The Warhawks return home on Tuesday, May 8, hosting Woodson in a 6:30 pm Liberty District contest.

The crowds at Madison home baseball games continue to swell, the fan base that turned out at the Warhawks’ match-up with W.T. Woodson augmented by dozens of families from nearby Flint Hill Elementary School whose kids were invited to run the bases after the game. The main event featured Madison senior lefty ace Jason Farley taking the mound against righty Dylan Robeson for the Cavaliers.

Farley opened the contest by striking out the side in the top of the 1^st, firing strike three past Nick Herbst and catching Jacob Morley and Jackson Clement looking. The Warhawks tapped Robeson for four runs on four hits, all with two outs, in the bottom of the 1^st. After a lead off strikeout and a ground out by Brig Tison (Jr. 2B), Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) started the rally by doubling to the outfield fence. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) then crushed a Robeson curve ball for a home run, driving in two for Madison. Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) reached on a hit by pitch and was driven in by Brian Smith’s laser shot home run. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) beat out an infield roller for a base hit and stole second, but was stranded when Alex Andrews (Sr. C) screaming line drive to the gap was snagged by a diving Jacob Morley. After one, the Warhawks had jumped out to a 4 – 0 lead.

Woodson struck back against Farley in the visitors’ 2^nd, getting two runs on two hits. Kevin Dec hit a lead off single to right and moved to third on Max Waizenegger’s double to left. Dec scored on a wild pitch and Waizenegger was awarded home as the ball caromed into the Madison dugout. Farley escaped further damage by retiring the next three Cavaliers on a Joey Carleton ground out to first, a Ben Halle fly to right and strikeout of Wyatt Moore. In the home half of the 2^nd, Madison responded with nine more runs on seven hits. After Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) reached on an infield, Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) hit a sharp grounder that was mishandled by the infield and bounced away allowing Flaherty to score. Tison followed with a single to give Madison runners on first and second with no outs. Lefty Matt Coleman came in to relieve Robeson for the Cavaliers and Moniri drilled a hard shot off Coleman’s thigh that spun away for an infield hit. After a delay to check on his condition, Coleman bravely re-took the mound to face Sams, who singled through the infield to drive in K. McIntyre and Tison and move Moniri to second. Conlon’s ground out moved Moniri and Sams up a base and Smith followed with his second no-doubt home run in as many at-bats to drive in three more runs. D. McIntyre and Andrews then hit back-to-back singles to put two more Warhawks on with one out. Flaherty then lashed the fourth Madison home run of the game, plating three more runs. Lee Albert was sent out by Woodson to relieve the courageous Coleman, and Albert retired K. McIntyre on a ground out and Tison on a fly ball to end the Madison outburst. After two, Madison held a commanding 13 – 2 lead.

The Cavaliers hung tough in the top of the 3rd, however, clawing back three runs on three hits off Matt Zepp (Jr. P), on in relief of Farley. After Zepp struck out Brendan Breslin to open the frame, Herbst and Morley hit back-to-back singles and Clement drove the in with home run to left. Zepp cut the uprising short, however, getting Dec to pop out to the infield and striking out Waizenegger to end the inning. Albert kept the Warhawks off the board in the bottom of the inning, getting David Fathalakhani (Jr. 1B) to fly out, striking out Sams and getting Casey Turner (Jr. 2B) to pop out to the infield. After three full innings, Madison’s lead had been cut to 13 – 5.

Junior lefthander Brian Foy (Jr. P) made his debut trip to the hill for Madison in the top of the 4^th. Carleton greeted him with a double to the fence in left and Madsen followed with a single to put Cavaliers at the corners with no outs. After Foy got Moore to line out to right, Carleton came in to score on a wild pitch. From there, Foy restored order, striking out Bobby McCloud and getting the dangerous Herbst to fly out to center. In the home half of the 4^th Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B) led off with double to the outfield fence, and Maxfield Brennan (Jr. PH) scored Schrock from second with a single, ending up at third as the ball eluded the outfielder. After Alex Jacquez (So. C) popped out, Flaherty plated Brennan with a single. K. McIntyre reached on a hit by pitch and Tison walked to load the base with Warhawks, with one out. Herbst relieved Albert for Woodson and struck out the next two batters to end the inning, with Madison leading 15 – 6.

Brennan took the mound for Foy to face the Cavaliers in the top of the 5^th and pitched a one-two-three inning, getting Morley on a ground out Turner at second, striking out Clement and getting Dec on a fly ball to center. After an eight-pitch battle with Herbst, Turner blasted a lead off double to the deep part of the ball park, and moved to third on Schrock’s ground out. Ted Williams (Jr. P) reached on a fielder’s choice and took second as Turner was gunned down attempting to score. With two outs, Paul Gongaware (Jr. LF) walked and Turner took third as ball four scooted away from the catcher. K. McIntyre drove in Williams with a sharp single through the infield to end the game. Final score: Madison 16, Woodson 6.

Jason Farley picked up the win with his 2 innings of work, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, striking out 4 and walking no one. Matt Zepp pitched 1 frame, yielding 3 runs on 3 hits, and striking out 2. Brian Foy gave up a run in his 1 inning, on 1 hits and 1 strikeout. Maxfield Brennan worked a scoreless, hitless inning and struck out 1. Brian Smith (2 for 2, 2 home runs, 5 RBI, 2 runs scored), Sterling Sams (2 for 3, home run, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored) and Collin Flaherty (2 for 3, home run, 4 RBI, 2 runs) had monster nights offensively, with key contributions from Arman Moniri (2 for 2, double, 2 runs scored), Maxfield Brennan (1 for 1, 1 RBI, 1 runs scored), Kyle McIntyre (1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored), David McIntyre (2 for 2, 1 run scored), Andrew Schrock (1 for 2, double, 1 run scored), Casey Turner (1 for 2, double) and Alex Jacquez (1 for 2). The Warhawks pounded out 17 hits, 7 for extra bases, to generate their 16 runs and committed one error.

Afterward, Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand commented, “Great night, just real excited. Great night to hit, great crowd. As we get deeper into [the season] the crowds get bigger and I thought the guys really responded to it. I thought our approach at the plate tonight was tremendous. It’s a big park, so when you more than one or two home runs in a game that’s something. You know, we got a lot of guys in early tonight and [Woodson] can really swing out, we got a lot of pitchers in to give us a bump, and I was glad to see our young guys bring this one home. We’ve got a real tough task with Langley on Friday, but we look forward to playing like this again and sending our seniors out the right way.”

Pitchers: J. Farley (W, 2 IP), M. Zepp (1 IP), B. Foy (1 IP), M. Brennan (1 IP)

The Warhawks conclude their regular season with a Senior Night match-up with Langley, Friday, May 11^th, with first pitch at 6:30 pm.

Warhawk Nation turned out in large numbers on Senior Night, to give the graduating players a memorable send-off. Pre-game festivities included the introduction of the class of ’07 Warhawks and their parents (and some grandparents), Alex Andrews, Rich Conlon, Jason Farley, Sam Gilbert, David McIntyre, Arman Moniri, Sterling Sams, Brian Smith and Brad Wimmer. Madison’s guests for the evening, the Saxons of Langley High School, arrived with the clear intention of spoiling the festivities and the pre-game tension between the teams was palpable. Madison senior righthander Brad Wimmer took the ball against Langley senior righty Chaz Ayoub.

In the top of the 1^st, Wimmer opened strongly, setting the Saxons down in order by blowing strike three past Daniel Bergamesca, inducing Tommy Tysse to ground out to first and getting Foster Dunnigan to line out to right field. The Warhawks wasted no time getting on the board in the home half of the 1^st, scoring 11 runs on 10 hits and 2 Langley errors. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) lead off with an infield single and, after a strike out, stole second. Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) reached on an infield error and D. McIntyre moved up to third. With runners at the corners, Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) delivered the first run with a single, and Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) followed with a double to the outfield fence to score Moniri from second and move Sams up to third. Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) then singled sharply to plate Sams. With two on and one out, Jason Farley (Sr. DH) doubled to the outfield corner to drive in Conlon and Smith, and ended up at third on the throw to the plate. Alex Andrews (Sr. C) followed with a single through the infield to score Farley and end Ayoub’s evening. Daniel Hochberg came on in relief of Ayoub for Langley, to face Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF). Flaherty reached on a fielder’s choice as Kyle McIntyre (Jr. PR), running for Andrews, was safe at second on an infield throwing error. With two on and one out, Hochberg got a strikeout for the second out but the Warhawks were not finished, as Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) singled to drive in K. McIntyre. Moniri then laced a double into the outfield corner to score Flaherty and Tison. With the runner on second, Sams roped a double to the outfield fence to drive in Moniri, and then came in to score on Conlon’s sharp single to the gap. The first frame finally ended when Hochberg got Smith on a ground out. After one inning, Madison had sprinted out to an 11 – 0 lead.

Spotted a big lead, Wimmer looked sharp again in the visitors’ 2^nd, working another one-two-three frame, getting Eddie Gonzalez to ground out to short, retiring Ross Kelly on foul pop out to Moniri on the first base side, and striking out Hochberg to end the frame. In the bottom of the 2^nd, the Warhawks went right back to work, adding 6 more runs on 6 hits. After Farley led off with a ground out, Andrews and Flaherty had back-to back singles and D. McIntyre followed with a walk to load the bases with Warhawks. Jody Davis came in to relieve Hochberg for Langley, and his wild pitch to Tison allowed K. McIntyre (again courtesy running for Andrews) to score and Flaherty and D. McIntyre to move up a base. Tison’s deep sacrifice fly plated Flaherty and D. McIntyre took third on the play. Moniri then chopped a single to score D. McIntyre, and Sams followed with a single to put two runners on with two outs. Conlon then walked to load the bases for Madison, and Smith’s single through the infield scored Moniri and re-loaded the bases. K. McIntyre (Jr. DH) then drilled a single to the gap to score Sams and Conlon. The inning ended on an Andrews ground out, but the Warhawks had stretched their lead to 17 – 0.

Wimmer continued to cruise in the top of the 3^rd, setting the side down in order again by getting Chris Sievers to fly out to left, retiring Graham Dubow on a swinging bunt fielded by Andrews, and striking out Ricky Hanna. Through three innings, Wimmer had yet to allow a base runner. Flaherty led off the bottom of the 3^rd with an infield hit and moved to third on D. McIntyre’s single into the outfield gap, with McIntyre taking second on the throw in to third. Tison then lashed a single to the outfield that plated Flaherty and D. Mcintyre. After Moniri popped out to the catcher for out number one, and Sams grounded out, Conlon’s single put runners at the corners with two outs. Smith then walked to load the bases with Warhawks yet again, but Davis got a strikeout to end the inning. After three full innings, Madison led 19 – 0.

Wimmer carried his perfecto through the top of the 4^th, getting Bergamesca to fly out to center, striking out Tysse and getting Dunnigan on a ground out to third. In the Warhawks’ 4^th, Andrews led off with a single (Brian Foy, Jr. PR, came in to run for Andrews) and Flaherty followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. After David Fathalakhani (Jr. PH) popped out, Casey Turner’s (Jr. 2B) infield ground out scored Foy and moved Flaherty to third. Matt Zepp’s (Jr. 1B) fly ball ended the inning, but Madison had pushed the lead to 20 – 0.

In the top of the 5^th, Wimmer’s perfect game was broken up by Langley pinch hitter Joey Zarella’s chopper that took a high hop off an infield sprinkler head and vaulted over Conlon and short for the first Saxon base hit and base runner of the game. Jesse Jeter (Jr. P) took over from Wimmer and retired the next three batters, getting Kelly to line out to center and striking out Ayoub and Geremy Mahn to end the inning and the game. Final score: Madison 20, Langley 0.

Brad Wimmer picked up the win for the Warhawks, carrying a perfect game through 4 innings of work, yielding 1 hit, striking out 4 and walking no one. Jesse Jeter pitched a scoreless, hitless inning with 2 strikeouts and no walks. Leading the hit parade for Madison were Arman Moniri (2 for 4, double, 3 RBI, 3 runs scored), Brig Tison (2 for 3, 4 RBI, 1 run), Rich Conlon (3 for 3, double, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Sterling Sams (3 for 4, double, 2 RBI, 3 runs), Brian Smith (2 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 run), Alex Andrews (3 for 4, 1 RBI, 3 runs) and Collin Flaherty (3 for 4, double, 3 runs). Key offensive contributions also came from David McIntyre (2 for 3, 3 runs), Jason Farley (1 for 2, double, 2 RBI, 1 run) and Kyle McIntyre (1 for 2, 2 RBI). Each of the hitters in the starting batting order, and 10 Warhawks in all, contributed at least 1 hit to Madison’s total of 22 hits for the game, 5 of which went for extra bases.

Mark “Pudge” Gjormand, Madison Head Coach, said after the game, “Awesome. Senior Night; I could tell when the kids showed up that it would be this kind of night. Just a great group of seniors. It seems like only yesterday that we went to Florida [University of Florida team camp when the ’07 seniors were freshman]. It was weird for me to come here tonight and look at the pictures of these players; they’re just an awesome group of guys and they went out the way they wanted to go out. I thought Brad [Wimmer] was spectacular against a really good hitting team. We kept that sharp approach at the plate going and everything just kind of went our way tonight. So I’m just really proud of the guys and we look forward to getting on with the next phase and trying to win the District championship. We know that next Friday night will be tough over at Langley, whoever we play.”

After a bye week off, the top-seeded Madison Warhawks took on the # 4 seed McLean Highlanders in a Liberty District Tournament semi-final match-up at Langley High School. Warhawk Nation turned out in force to cheer on Madison’s pursuit of another District title. The visiting Highlanders tabbed freshman righthander Sean Fitzgerald to face off against the home team Warhawks’ senior lefty ace Jason Farley.

A pumped up McLean squad tried to get things started against Farley in the top of the 1st, as Tyler Thompson led off with a shot up the middle that caromed off the mound for an infield hit. Farley had other ideas, however, as his move to first enticed Tyler to take off for second, allowing Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) to easily gun the runner down at second. Fitzgerald then flied out to right and Denis Buckley flied out to left to end the frame. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) led off the bottom of the 1^st with a ground out, and Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) followed with another grounder for out number two. After Moniri reached on an infield error, Fitzgerald induced Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) to ground out to end a scoreless first inning.

The Highlanders swung the bats aggressively in the top of the 2^nd, getting a second lead off single, this time by Andrew Stowe. Quinn Pippin’s ground out to Farley moved Stowe to second, and James Pascoe’s single to right put McLean runners at the corners with one out. Erik Payne singled to left to drive in Stowe and Pascoe reached third on the throw to the plate. David Roffman then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, as Pascoe beat the throw home and Payne took second on the play. Farley avoided further damage by getting Vanderhye to ground out to second. Fitzgerald kept Madison off the board again in the home half of the 2^nd. After Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) led off with a ground out, Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) singled through the infield. Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) then flied out and Alex Andrews (Sr. C) singled through the infield to give the Warhawks runners at first and second with two outs. Fitzgerald ended the threat, however, by getting Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) to ground in to a fielder’s choice, forcing Smith at third. After two full innings, McLean led 2 – 0.

The pitchers then settled in for two scoreless innings, as both teams attacked the ball but the defenses held firm. In the top of the 3^rd, Thompson reached base on an infield error and moved to second on Fitzgerald’s ground out. Andrews then gunned down Thompson, as he took off for third base, for out number two. Farley then retired Stowe on a chopper to third to end the frame. Fitzgerald responded in kind to open the bottom of the 3rd, getting D. McIntyre on a lead off fly out. After Tison reached on a single, Moniri drilled a laser line drive that was snagged by the infield, and Sams grounded out to end the inning. At the end of two, McLean’s lead stood at 2 – 0.

Farley tossed a one-two-three 4^th, inducing Pippin to ground out to second, striking out Pascoe and getting Payne to fly out to right. Fitzgerald countered by retiring the Warhawks in order, getting Conlon on a ground out, Smith on a sharp line out to the outfield and K. McIntyre on a fly out. McLean remained in the lead 2 – 0 after four.

Scoring resumed in the top of the 5^th, as Roffman led off with a single to center and moved to second on Vanderhye’s sacrifice bunt. Thompson then doubled to the right center field gap to score Roffman. Fitzgerald followed with a single to put Highlanders at the corners with one out. Buckley then singled to score Thompson and move Fitzgerald to second. Farley escaped the inning by getting Stowe to hit into a smooth 5-4-3 double play to retire the side. The Warhawks finally broke through with a run against Fitzgerald in the home half of the 5^th. After Andrews led off with a ground out, Flaherty reached on a hit by pitch and took second on a passed ball. D. McIntyre then doubled up the gap to score Flaherty and replace the runner in scoring position. Madison could get no more, however, as Tison grounded out and, after Moniri singled to put runners at the corners with two outs, Sams flied out to end the inning. Madison was on the board, but McLean had extended their lead to 4 – 1.

Righty Brad Wimmer (Sr. P) came on in relief of Farley in the top of the 6^th and, after yielding a lead off single through the infield, retired the next three batters, getting Pascoe on a sacrifice bunt and Payne on a chopper back to the mound, and striking out Wilkins. The Warhawks came out swinging in the bottom of the 6^th, generating back-to-back singles by Conlon and Smith to open the frame, and loading the bases when K. McIntyre was hit by a pitch. Andrews delivered Conlon with the second Madison run on a sacrifice fly, with Smith taking third on the throw in. Flaherty plated Smith and moved K. McIntyre to third with his sharp single to the gap. Flaherty then stole second to take away the force play and a strikeout left the Warhawks with runners on second and third and two outs. Tison drove in K. McIntyre with the tying run as his grounder could not be handled by the McLean infield. The Highlanders then elected to walk Moniri intentionally to load the bases, but Madison could not push across the winning run, as Sams lined out to deep to the gap to end the rally and the inning. At the end of six, Madison had pulled into a 4 – 4 tie.

Wimmer pitched a three-up, three-down top of the 7^th, getting Vanderhye on a come-backer to the mound, and inducing Thompson and Fitzgerald to roll consecutive groundouts to Smith at third. Fitzgerald held off the Warhawks for another inning, getting Conlon and Smith on back-to-back fly outs, and notching a strikeout for out number three and the end of regulation. The game headed into extra innings tied at 4 – 4.

Wimmer worked a scoreless inning again in the McLean 8^th, striking out Buckley and, after allowing a Stowe single, watching another pretty 5-4-3 double play end the visitors’ offensive night. Fitzgerald returned to the mound for the bottom of the 8^th, with his pitch count at 98, and yielded a lead off single to Andrews. Casey Turner (Jr. PR) came on to run for Andrews and moved the winning run into scoring position on a passed ball. After Flaherty failed twice to lay down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner, he took matters decisively into his own hands, crushing the next pitch for a two-run, walk-off home run and send the Warhawks into the Liberty District final in dramatic fashion. Final score: Madison 6, McLean 4.

Jason Farley pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, walking 1 and striking out 1. Brad Wimmer picked up the win with 3 scoreless innings of work, allowing 2 hits, striking out 2, and walking no one. Collin Flaherty (2 for 3, home run, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI, including the game winner) and Alex Andrews (2 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 run) led the attack for the Warhawks, with support from Brian Smith (2 for 4, 1 run), David McIntyre (1 for 4, double, 1 RBI) and Rich Conlon (1 for 4, 1 run). Madison scored its 6 runs on 10 hits and committed 1 error.

Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, after the game, “What can you say, I am just very proud of these guys. It’s a special group and I really believe in this team. Even down four runs, I just knew some way some how we would get this thing done. We weren’t at out our best tonight, especially early, but everyone stuck with at and picked it up when it counted. It’s kind of tough to keep it all rolling with a week off, but I wouldn’t have traded that bye for anything. I thought Brad [Wimmer] was just outstanding coming in and holding things in position for us to come back. Once again, we just kept pounding the rock and finally found water. Now we get another opportunity to play for the District championship, back home, and I hope the town of Vienna comes out to support us again, as they have all year.”

Madison Wins 5th Liberty District Tourney in 6 Years with 12-2 Win Over Stone Bridge

The top-seeded Warhawks played host to the Stone Bridge Bulldogs in the Liberty District Tournament Championship game on Monday evening, as a large contingent of Madison alumni and casual fans turned out to swell the ranks of Warhawk Nation on a perfect night for baseball. Madison faced an early bit of adversity as Liberty District Player of the Year Brian Smith (Sr. 3B) was struck by a ball during infield prior to the game and was unable to make the start. The Warhawks gathered themselves and rallied behind righthanded junior starter Jesse Jeter, who took the hill against the Bulldogs’ junior righty Tyler Basso.

Jeter opened the top of the 1^st in stylish fashion by making a slick over-the-shoulder catch of Collin Pearson’s high chopper behind the mound, and wheeling to make the throw for the out at first. After Michael Prince reached on a hit by pitch, Jeter retired Mike Stancik on a fly ball to left. Johnny Bladel pulled a double down the left field line, but was stranded when Jeter induced Brian Wheaton to ground out to first. A determined Warhawks lineup drew first blood in the bottom of the first. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) led off with a line shot to the gap, but was robbed of extra bases by a diving catch by Bladel. Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) and Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) drew back-to-back walks, to give Madison two base runners with one out. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) then launched a majestic home run blast to score three for the Warhawks. After a strikeout, Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B), in the lineup for the fallen Smith, stroked a single, but Jason Farley (Sr. DH) flied out to end the inning. At the end of one, Madison had taken a 3 – 0 lead.

Jeter worked a three-up, three-down top of the 2^nd, sandwiching Matt Irwin and Chris Martinez fly ball outs around Basso’s ground out to second. Basso held off the Warhawks in the bottom of the 2^nd, getting Alex Andrews on a sharp lineout, a strikeout and a D. McIntyre fly ball to end the inning. After two innings, Madison held a 3 – 0 lead.

Jeter cruised through another one-two-three inning in the top of the 3^rd, striking out Patrick Thompson, getting Pearson on a pop out to short and retiring Prince on a grounder to Schrock at third. The Warhawks added three more runs on three hits in the bottom of the 3^rd. After Tison reached on an infield throwing error and moved to second on a wild pitch, Moniri singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. As Moniri was caught stealing second, Tison came in to score. Sams then walked, Conlon singled to put two runners on, and Schrock’s sacrifice bunt attempt went for a base hit to load the bases. Farley followed with a deep sacrifice fly, caught right at the fence, scoring Sams and moving Conlon to third. Conlon then scored on a passed ball before a strikeout ended the inning. At the end of the third inning, Madison had extended its lead to 6 – 0.

Both pitchers held serve in a scoreless 4^th, with Jeter retiring the Bulldogs in order yet again, backed by some stellar defense. Stancik led off with a hot shot down the third base line that Schrock backhanded just in foul territory deep behind the bag, but a late call by the third base umpire ruled the ball fair and Schrock’s throw was scooped by Moniri just in time to beat the runner for out number one. Back-to-back ground outs by Bladel and Wheaton, to short and third, respectively, closed out the frame. Basso responded with a one-two-three inning of his own, getting ground outs by Flaherty, D. McIntyre and Tison to end the inning with the Madison lead still 6 – 0.

The Bulldogs clawed back a run on three hits against Jeter in the top of the 5^th. Irwin led off with a single up the middle, moved to second on a wild pitch, and then to third on Basso’s sacrifice bunt, fielded by Andrews. Martinez followed with a double to left, plating Irwin with the first Stone Bridge run of the game. Thompson followed with a single to the gap that D. McIntyre hustled to cut off, stopping Martinez at third and preventing another run from scoring. Jeter then struck out Pearson and got Prince to fly out to center to end the uprising. Michael Palmer took over in relief of Basso for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the 5^th, and issued a lead-off walk to Moniri. With Casey Turner (Jr. PR) running for Moniri, Sams laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner up, but a Conlon fly ball and a strikeout ended the threat. After five, the Warhawks’ lead stood at 6 – 1.

Brad Wimmer (Sr. P) relieved Jeter for Madison in the top of the 6^th, getting Stancik on a lead off ground out to short. Back-to-back singles by Bladel and Wheaton, however, put Stone Bridge runners at the corners with one out. Irwin then grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Schrock taking the out at second, and Bladel coming in to score. Wimmer then struck out Basso to avoid further damage. In the bottom of the 6^th, Madison broke the game open, adding six more runs on six hits. After Palmer issued a lead off walk to Farley, Ty Weaver came on in relief for Stone Bridge. After Farley advanced to second on a throwing error, Andrews singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. Gavin Hilburn (So. PR) entered to run for Andrews and moved to second on Flaherty’s sacrifice bunt. Farley scored and Hilburn moved to third on a balk, D. McIntyre followed with a ground out, and Tison singled to score Hilburn. Moniri’s sharp single scored Tison, with Moniri taking second on the throw home. Sams then hit a chop single to drive in Moniri. With one on and two out, Conlon crushed a no-doubt, two run home run to drive in the fifth and sixth Warhawk runs of the inning. After Schrock reached on an infield throwing error, Farley singled, but Weaver avoided further damage by getting Andrews to fly out to end the inning. At the end of six full innings, Madison had stretched its lead to 12 – 2.

Southpaw ace Farley moved to the mound in relief of Wimmer in the top of the 7^th and, after Martinez reached on a dropped third strike, retired the next three Bulldog batters, striking out Zach Thompson and Bryce Williams and getting Prince to fly out to center to end the game. Final score: Madison 12, Stone Bridge 2.

Jesse Jeter pitched 5 innings to pick up the championship game win, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, striking out 2 and walking no one. Brad Wimmer allowed 1 run no 2 hits in 1 inning of work, with 1 strikeout. Jason Farley worked a scoreless inning, striking out 3. The Warhawks’ 12-run, 11-hit attack was led by Sterling Sams (2 for 2, home run, 4 RBIs, 3 runs scored) and Rich Conlon (2 for 4, home run, 2 RBIs, 2 runs), with key contributions by Arman Moniri (2 for 2, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Jason Farley (1 for 2, 1 RBI, 1 run), Brig Tison (1 for 3, 1 RBI, 3 runs), Alex Andrews (1 for 4, 1 run) and Andrew Schrock (2 for 4), who ably filled in at third base for injured starter and all-star Brian Smith.

After the game and the unfurling of yet another Liberty District Championship banner, Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand said, “This was little bit of a weird night; mixed emotions, but we’re excited. You know, it’s hard to beat teams three times, as we did tonight and last Friday. We proved that we are the best team in the Liberty District and that’s exciting. There are mixed emotions, though, with Brian [Smith] going down and the injury to Sam [Gilbert] (knee) earlier in the year, those are two seniors that missed playing in this championship game, and that’s hard for them and for us. But we’ll get this [trophy] to Smitty and hopefully everything will be fine and he’ll be back tomorrow; our prayers are with him. I was real proud of the way Andrew Schrock stepped up. We pride ourselves on being a great program, with guys ready to step in and make plays, and Andrew really did that tonight. He was tremendous, and I was just real pleased with the effort all around and the way we took care of business tonight. Now we get to move on to the next phase and see how far we can take this thing.”

The Warhawks begin Northern Region Tournament play on Friday, May 25^th, taking on Washington & Lee in a 7:00 pm match-up at Madison High School.

The Madison Warhawks hosted Washington & Lee’s Generals in a first round Northern Region Tournament game Friday night at Madison High School in Vienna. The biggest crowd of the season so far buzzed with anticipation as senior lefty ace Jason Farley took the mound for the hot-hitting home team, against the Generals Mike Vitale.

Farley worked a tidy eight-pitch one-two-three top of the 1st, firing strike three past leadoff hitter Tom Edwards, getting Vitale to ground out to short and getting Rob Jennings on a comebacker to the mound. Madison’s bats stayed hot, putting five runs on the board in the bottom of the 1^st, on five hits. Leadoff man Kyle McIntyre (Jr. DH) reached on a hit by pitch and moved to second on Brig Tison’s (Jr. 2B) sacrifice bunt attempt that went for a single. The runners moved up a base on a wild pitch and RBI machine Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) delivered two runs by ripping a single into the outfield. Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) followed with a sharp single, giving Madison two base runners with no outs. Rich Conlon’s (Sr. SS) sacrifice bunt attempt could not be played and the bases were loaded with Warhawks. David McIntyre (Sr. CF) singled through the infield to plate Moniri and re-load the bases, and Andrew Schrock (Jr. 3B) grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice, as Sams came in to score on the play. With runners at the corners, Alex Andrews (Sr. C) laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, deep enough to score Conlon from third. The inning ended on a strikeout, but the Warhawks had secured a 5 – 0 lead.

Farley pitched another scoreless frame in the top of the 2^nd, getting a leadoff ground out by DJ Diethorn and, after yielding a flare single to Nate Rogers, struck out JP Morgan and induced a Troy Powell sinking line out to second. With Madison back at the top of the order to start the bottom of the 2^nd, K. McIntyre led off with a line out and Tison followed with a fly ball out. Moniri then singled and headed to second when Vitale had him picked off, ending up safe at third when the first baseman threw the ball away. Sams then walked to put runners at the corners, and Moniri scored as Sams extended a rundown started when he was picked off first. After two innings, Madison led 6 – 0.

In the top of the 3^rd, Francis Rosa led off with a single up the middle. Farley kept the shutout intact, however, getting Daniel McKenna and Edwards on a fly out and line out, respectively, and striking out Vitale to retire the Generals. Madison rallied for four more runs in the bottom of the 3^rd, on five hits, three for extra bases. After Conlon led off with a ground out, D. McIntyre launched a solo home run for the seventh Warhawk run. Schrock’s sharp line out was followed by Andrews’ line shot double up the gap, and Madison had a runner in scoring position with two outs. Flaherty followed with a missile to the same gap for a double that scored Casey Turner (Jr. PR), courtesy running for Andrews. K. McIntyre then looped a single over the infield to score Flaherty, who was hustling on contact with two outs, and Tison followed with a double to the outfield fence up the opposite gap plating K. McIntyre with the Warhawks tenth run. Moniri grounded out to end the inning, but Madison had stretched its lead to 10 – 0 after three innings.

There was no further scoring in the game, as the starting pitchers for both teams gave way to relievers who froze the scoreboard in place. Ted Williams (Jr. P) took over for Farley in the top of the 4^th, and set the Generals down in order, striking out Rob Jennings and getting Diethorn and Rogers on consecutive ground outs. Jennings moved to the mound in relief of Vitale for W&L in the bottom of the 4^th and worked a scoreless frame. After Sams led off with single, Conlon flied out. Jennings then picked Sams off of first and D. McIntyre lined out sharply to end the inning. Madison led at the end of four innings, 10 – 0.

Williams pitched another one-two-three frame in the top of the 5^th, getting Morgan to ground out to short, Powell on D. McIntyre’s nice diving, tumbling snag of a sinking liner to center, and Rosa on another ground out to short. Jennings held off the Warhawks again in the home half of the inning, sandwiching Schrock and Flaherty fly outs around a strikeout to retire the Warhawks. After five full innings, Madison held its lead steady at 10 – 0.

Williams returned to the mound for the visitors’ 6^th and maintained the shutout, getting McKenna on a sharp lead off ground out to third, which Schrock moved to his left and fielded slickly, striking out Edwards, and getting Vitale to ground out to short. Jennings again stymied the Warhawk attack in the bottom of the inning, getting a lead off strikeout and after, Tison reached on an infield throwing error, having the threat erased by a nifty 6-4-3 double play to close out the inning. The score after six: Warhawks 10, Generals 0.

Sams moved to the mound in place of Williams for the top of the 7^th, and got the first two outs as Jennings popped out behind second on a nice over the shoulder catch by Tison, and Diethron swung through strike three. Rogers then reached first when Sams and Moniri could not complete the play on Rogers’ grounder to the right side, but Sams closed out the game by firing strike three past Morgan. Final score: Madison 10, Washington & Lee 0.

Jason Farley earned the win with 3 innings of 2-hit, shutout pitching, striking out 2 and walking no one. Ted Williams held the Generals scoreless through his 3 innings of hitless work, with 2 strikeouts and no walks. Sterling Sams closed out the shutout, striking out 2 in his 1 hitless inning. David McIntyre (2 for 3, home run, 2 RBI, 1 run scored), Arman Moniri (2 for 4, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Brig Tison (2 for 4, double, 1 RBI, 1 run) and Sterling Sams (2 for 2, 1 run) all had multiple hits for the Warhawks, with Alex Andrews (1 for 2, double, 1 RBI, 1 run), Collin Flaherty (1 for 3, double, 1 RBI, 1 run), Kyle McIntyre (1 for 3, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Rich Conlon (1 for 3, 1 run) and Andrew Schrock (1 RBI) ensuring that all nine hitters in the lineup contributed to the 12-hit, 10-run, Madison attack.

After the game, Madison Head Coach Mark “Pudge” Gjormand commented, “That was a great way to start the Regional Tournament phase of our season. I couldn’t have envisioned a better start. We came out and did some really nice things at the plate against a tough opponent. I knew we were going to get a great battle out of W&L, with a lot of people reminding me about the 2001 game we had with them. So it’s nice to come out and play as well as we did and get that first win under our belts. Every game from here on out is going to be a battle, so we’ll come out, practice tomorrow and get ready to do it again Monday against Lake Braddock.”

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Washington & Lee	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Madison	5	1	4	0	0	0	0	10	12	1

Pitchers: J. Farley (W, 3 IP), T. Williams (3 IP), S. Sams (1 IP)

The Warhawks move on to a Region Quarterfinal game against Lake Braddock, at 1:00 pm on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28^th, at Robinson High School.

Warhawks Shut-out Lake Braddock 5-0

The Madison Warhawks met the Lake Braddock Bruins in a Northern Region Quarterfinal game at Robinson High School, on the warmest day thus far in the 2007 season. Home team Madison sent junior righthander Jesse Jeter to the mound against the Bruins’ Shaney Halley.

Jeter worked a scoreless top of the 1^st, getting Brenden Daley on a comebacker to the mound and, after Will Whitty drove a double to the left centerfield gap, retiring Jim Buckley on a fly ball to left and striking out David Fennessey. The Warhawks drew first blood against Halley in the bottom of the 1^st. After a lead off strikeout, Brig Tison (Jr. 2B) reached on a single through the infield. Arman Moniri (Sr. 1B) followed doubling up the gap to the fence, scoring Tison, who just beat the throw on a close play at the plate. Halley responded by striking out the next two batters to end the inning. At the end of one, Madison had taken a 1 – 0 lead.

Jeter pitched another scoreless frame in the visitors’ 2^nd, on three hustling plays by Sterling Sams (Sr. LF) in left, who ran down consecutive fly balls from Shaney Halley, Steve Lindemuth and Shannon Mark to single-handedly retire the side. Madison struck again in the bottom of the inning. After a lead off ground out by Jason Farley (Sr. DH), Andrew Schrock singled and moved to second as Alex Andrews (Sr. C) walked to give the Warhawks two base runners with one out. Collin Flaherty (Jr. RF) then ripped a screaming double up the gap that reached the fence on the fly, scoring Schrock and Andrews. Flaherty advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on David McIntyre’s (Sr. CF) ground out for out number two. Halley escaped further damage when he induced Tison to fly out. After two innings, Madison has stretched its lead to 4 – 0.

Jeter continued to roll in the top of the 3^rd, getting Ryan Lindemuth on another comebacker to the mound and, after yielding a single to Greg DeLaney, benefiting from a smooth 6-4-3 double play started by Daley’s grounder to short. Halley got two outs in the home half of the 3^rd, the first on a deep fly ball that the Bruins’ Matt Bray reached over the fence to grab and rob Moniri of a home run, and the second on a strikeout, but Rich Conlon (Sr. SS) stroked a solo home run to score another run for the Warhawks. Halley then induced a fly out by Farley to end the inning. The score after three full innings: Warhawks 5, Bruins 0.

Jeter notched another shutout inning in the top of the 4^th, retiring Whitty on a ground out to short, getting Buckley on a pop fly to first and, after Fennessey pulled a single down the right field line, setting down Halley on a pop out to Warhawks’ catcher Andrews, who made a nice catch on the play. In the Warhawks’ 4^th, Schrock led off by reaching base on hit by pitch, but was forced at second on Andrews’ fielder’s choice grounder, with Andrews reaching second on an infield throwing error. Halley got the second out on a strikeout and ended the inning by getting D. McIntyre to ground out. After four innings, Madison’s lead stood at 5 – 0.

Jeter hung another zero on the board in the top of the 5^th, retiring the Bruins in order on consecutive ground outs by S. Lindemuth (yet another comebacker to the mound) and Mark, and a strikeout by R. Lindemuth. Halley responded with another scoreless inning of his own in the bottom of the inning, getting Tison on a groundout, Moniri on a fly ball and, after Sams reached on a hit by pitch, and a strikeout to close out the inning. At the end of five, the Warhawks led 5 – 0.

In the Bruins’ half of the 6^th, Jeter held the door shut once more, with some help from the Warhawk defense. DeLaney led off with a chopper to short, with Conlon’s throw to a stretching Moniri just beating the runner to the bag on a bang-bang play. Daley then hit yet another comebacker to the mound for out number two and, after Whitty reached on Jeter’s first walk of the game, Buckley popped out to short to retire the side. Halley pitched a zero in response in the bottom of the 6^th, retiring the side on a Farley fly out, a strikeout, and an Andrews pop out. After six full innings, Madison held a 5 – 0 lead.

Jeter returned to the mound in the top of the 7^th with a chance to complete the shutout on his own. After Fennessey led off with a ground out to third, Halley poked a double to right. Jeter stranded him there, however, by inducing S. Lindemuth to pop out to short and catching Mark looking at strike three. Final score: Madison 5, Lake Braddock 0.

Jeter went the distance for the win, a complete game, 4-hit shutout, striking out 3 and walking 1. Collin Flaherty (1 for 2, double, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored) and Rich Conlon (1 for 3, home run, 1 RBI, 1 run) led the Madison attack, with key contributions coming from Arman Moniri (1 for 3, double, 1 RBI), Andrew Schrock (1 for 2, 1 run), Brig Tison (1 for 3, 1 run) and David McIntyre (1 RBI). The Warhawks scored 5 runs on 5 hits and committed no errors.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Lake Braddock	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
Madison	1	3	1	0	0	0	0	5	5	0

Pitcher: J. Jeter (W, 7 IP)

The Warhawks next host cross-town rival Oakton, in a Northern Region Semifinal match-up, at 7:00 pm Wednesday, May 30^th, at Madison High School.

Oakton Ends Warhawks Season For Second Consecutive Year by One Run

The Warhawks special season ended at the hands of cross-town rival Oakton for the second consecutive season by one run in the Northern Region Tournament. The Cougars won 2-1 at Madison HS. The game ended another special season and the high school career of some very special Warhawks players who did a great job of keeping the Warhawks winning tradition going. The disappointment of missing the State playoffs by one run will eventually be overcome by the wonderful memories of much success. The game write-up has not yet been received. We are very proud of the Madison Warhawks and their coaching staff.