Epping Red Sox Take First Northwood/Epping Cal Ripken Title

The Epping Red Sox dominated the season from beginning to end, and finished it out this morning with a 6-2 victory over the Epping Rangers to claim the first combined Northwood/Epping Cal Ripken title. The game was quickly paced, being completed in just an hour and five minutes under a cloudless blue sky and sweltering afternoon heat.

The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when their lead off hitter drew a walk off of the Red Sox starter Cam, and after the next batter struck out, the middle of the Rangers order (Garand, Browne, and Murray) strung together three consecutive singles to score two runs. It could have been more, but the Red Sox ended the inning on the next batter with a double play. This would be all of the offense that the Rangers would muster today, as Cam set down the next nine Ranger hitters in order.

The Red Sox went down quietly in their half of the first, but pushed a run across in the second to cut the Ranger lead in half, but it was the third inning when the Red Sox would do their offensive damage. After T-Ball reached on an error, the Sox strung together four consecutive base hits by Cam (triple), Shooter (single), Big John (single), and Bucky (double). The four hits, combined with two crucial errors, allowed the Red Sox to plate four runs in the inning on four hits.

The Red Sox added another run in the fourth when they added three consecutive two out hits by Cooper, Bryce, and Cam. That was the end of the scoring as neither team was able to score again.

The Red Sox scored their six runs on nine hits and played error-less ball, while the Rangers scored their two runs on just five hits and committed three costly errors. As was the case all season, the Red Sox capitalized on their opponents mistakes while not making any of their own.

Cam led the offense for the Red Sox with three of the teams nine hits. Six other Red Sox added a single hit each, and the six runs were scored by six different players. There were contributions all up and down the line-up. Cam pitched the first four innings for the Sox, allowing two runs and two hits. Shooter came in to pitch the last two innings and held the Rangers scoreless.

Travis Garand had two of the Rangers five hits and scored a run.

Cooper, T-Ball, Bryce, Z, Cam, Shooter, Big John, Bucky, Maggs, Thomas, and Boom, congratulations on the title.

Epping Red Sox Remain Undefeated

The Epping Red Sox remain undefeated after their 6-5 victory over the Northwood White Sox, Saturday afternoon in the sun, at Mary Blair Field in Epping.

This was a game of the two teams with the top records in the league, with Epping coming into the game at 3-0, and the White Sox showing up having dropped their first tilt on Tuesday with a record of 3-1.

Northwood batted first, and Chris Stevens led off with a drive to deep right center field that landed at the base of the wall for an easy double. After the next batter struck out, Willie Ohrenberger lined a shot just passed the first basemans head for a triple, scoring Stevens. Ohrenberger eventually scored on a passed ball and an error, staking the White Sox to a 2-0 lead.

Epping came up in the bottom of the first and scored two runs without the benefit of a hit. Two walks, a hit batsmen, and a costly White Sox error did the damage, and the Red Sox tied the game at 2-2 after one inning.

Both teams went down quietly in the second, with the White Sox sandwiching three strikeouts around a walk, and the Red Sox going down with the lead off batter walking and being caught stealing, and the next two batters striking out.

The third inning started with more fireworks by the White Sox Stevens. He led off the inning with a blast to left-center field. The ball ended up over the fence, and Stevens stopped at second. The umpire waved him around, calling a home run. After some mild discussion between the umpire and coaches, the home run stood, and the White Sox took a 3-2 lead. Bryce Twombly was the next batter and he laced a triple to the fence, and scored on Ohrenbergers sacrifice ground out to the second baseman, making it 4-2. With the bases now empty, Dylan Andrews doubled, but was left stranded when the next two batters couldn't muster any offense.

Epping came the plate, and their lead-off hitter was struck by a pitch. The next batter singled for Eppings first hit of the game, driving the runner in. Northwood's new pitcher Chris Stevens settled down and struck out the next three batters to end the inning, with Northwood ahead 4-3.

Northwood went down in order in the fourth, and Epping manufactured another run to tie the game, with a single, a strike out, a single, and two more strike outs.

The fifth inning was more of the Chris Stevens Show, as he led off with another base hit, this time a single. He advanced on an Epping error, and scored on a ground out by Dylan Andrews, to give the White Sox the lead at 5-4.

Epping came up in the bottom of the fifth with their first batter striking out, and then scoring two more runs on just one hit, a double by Brandon Mailhot. Both Mailhot, and the next batter, scored on a series of defensive miscues by the White Sox, to give Epping the 6-5 lead.

Northwood went down in order again in the sixth, and that's how the game ended, with Epping scoring the 6-5 victory.

Northwood scored their 5 runs on just 6 hits, all by the top four batters in the order, With Stevens going 3-3 with three runs scored, and Twombly, Ohrenberger, and Andrews each adding a single base hit.

Epping scored their 6 runs on just 4 hits, one each by Mailhot, Tom Bullock, Cameron Osgood, and Zack Bickford.

Andrews and Stevens combined to strike put 11 Epping batters, while the trio of Mailhot, Cooper Garrows, and John Morrisey also struck out 11 White Sox batters.

The team that made the fewest mistakes won, and today, that was the Epping Red Sox. The Red Sox extend their league leading record to 4-0, while the White Sox drop their second straight game to go to 3-2.

Braves End Three Game Skid

On a chilly and dark Tuesday night, the Northwood Braves ended their three game season opening losing streak with a convincing 9-2 thumping of the Northwood White Sox. White Sox ace Dylan Andrews started for the Sox with Joel Boulanger taking to the mound for the Braves. Boulanger, roughed up in his last start against the Sox, had it under control tonight, holding the Sox scoreless in his two innings pitched.

Boulanger led off the Braves half of the inning at the plate, helping his own cause, by driving a pitch into left field that eluded the outfielders and rolled to the fence. The speedster circled the bases and just beat the throw to the plate for a game opening inside the park home run. This was just the first of three base hits and three runs scored on the night for Boulanger. Andrews set down the Braves without allowing another run.

Taylor Dow relieved Boulanger for the third inning, holding the White Sox at bay, to hold onto the 1-0 lead. Tim McAllister relieved Andrews to pitch for the Sox in the third inning. Boulanger and Ryan Gilbride continued their hot hitting, helping to plate two more runs for the Braves in the third to extend their lead to 3-0.

The Sox got two runs back in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 3-2, but the wheels came off in the bottom of the fourth as a couple close calls, a couple of important miscues, and a couple clutch hits combined to push six more runs across the plate for the Braves, extending their lead to 9-2.

With darkness settling in, there was no way that this game was going the distance, so the Sox knew that the 5th inning was going to be their last chance to even up the score. Stringing together a couple of hits, but new pitcher Austin Detrude made a great play on a liner back to the mound for the second out. Alex Gray then reached base driving in the Sox third run, but Detrude struck out Tim McAllister to end the game and give the Braves their first victory of the season.

The Braves were led at the plate by Joel Boulanger who snapped out of his early season slump by going 3-3 (single, double, and home run) with three runs scored, and Ryan Gilbride continued to smack the ball around going 2-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Jordan Sargent added two doubles in three at bats with a runs scored and an RBI.

Tin McAllister was the only White Sox player with two hits, with Gray, Chris Stevens, and Griffin Bono providing the RBI's.

The victory is the first of the season for the Braves, raising their record to 1-3, while the defeat is the first of the season for the White Sox, dropping them to 3-1. Both teams play against Epping on Saturday, with the Braves hosting the Rangers, and the White Sox visiting the Red Sox.

White Sox Run Off Third Straight Win

The Northwood White Sox ran their record to 3-0 with a 16-4 victory over the Epping Rangers. The White Sox offense was led by Willie Ohrenberger who went 3-3 with with 4 RBI's and five runs scored, Bryce Twombly who was 2-3 with 4 runs scored and an RBI, and Alex Gray who was 3-5 with five RBI's and a run scored.

This game was much closer than the final score indicates, with Epping holding a 4-3 lead after 4 full innings. When the White Sox came to the plate in the top of the fifth inning, the first three batters to the plate (Twombly, Ohrenberger, and Dylan Andrews) all reached base to load the sacks with no body out, and Alex Gray came to the plate and lined the Epping offering to right field for a two run single that put the Sox in front to stay. Dylan Atkinson also contributed a key two run single later in the inning. Northwood sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning and tallied 10 runs putting the game out of reach.

Chris Stevens started on the mound for the Sox, allowing 4 runs in three innings pitched, and striking out five. Dylan Andrews took the mound for the fourth inning and hurled two more scoreless innings, striking out 4. Isaiah Allen closed out the game with a solid, two strikeout sixth inning in his first pitching appearance of 2010. Having allowed only one run in seven innings pitched this season, Andrews logged his third victory in as many outings.

Jackson Rivers led the Epping offense going 3-3 and scoring a run.

The White Sox upped their record to 3-0 to maintain the early season lead in their division. Their next game is Tuesday night against the Braves. The Rangers record dropped to 0-3 with todays loss.

White Sox Sweep Braves

The 2010 season has begun, and the White Sox completed an opening season two game sweep of the Braves. Opening day saw the White Sox triumph 3-1 in a well played pitchers duel. Dylan Andrews and Chris Stevens combined to allow only four hits and one run to the Braves, while Taylor Dow and Jordan Sargent only allowed five hits and three runs to the White Sox, but that was enough to earn the Bono Eleven the victory.

The Pale Hose were led offensively by William Ohrenberger who pummeled the ball all over the field for two hits, and Bryce Twombly and Chris Stevens who delivered some key contact of their own to account for all five of the White Sox hits. Ryan Gilbride drove in the lone Braves run with a beautiful three bag shot deep to right field.

The two home town teams met up again last night for the rematch to the opening day event and the White Sox triumphed again over the Braves with an 11-3 victory in the cool Friday night air. Dylan Andrews toed the rubber again for the White Sox and pitched two beautiful innings before being relieved by Chris Stevens once again. This time though, Stevens hurled one shutout inning before being relieved himself by Tim McAllister who threw the final three innings.

Joel Boulanger started on the mound for the Braves before giving way to Austin Detrude in the fourth inning.

Both starters got out of the first inning unscathed, retiring both squads without allowing a run. In the top of the second, White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Andrews came up to the plate and drew a walk to lead off the inning. Alex Gray then strode to the plate and lined a 3-2 pitch to the gap in right-center field driving in Andrews. Gray sped into third base with a stand-up triple, and scored on a wild throw. The Braves got out of the inning without any further damage, but a 2-0 deficit.

The Braves went down without scoring in the bottom of the second, and in the top of the third the White Sox exploded for seven runs, highlighted by Tim McAllisters three run homer to right field driving in Andrews and Gray again.

With a 9-0 lead, Chris Stevens came in to pitch the third inning for the Sox and set the Braves down without scoring again. The Sox added two more runs in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 11-0. At this point, the Braves attempted to rally, plating three runs off new pitcher Tim McAllister, but after finally getting out of the inning, McAllister settled down to hold the Braves scoreless in the final two stanzas, and close out the game with an 11-3 victory.

Alex Gray was the catalyst of the Sox offense reaching base in all three at bats and scoring each time. Tim McAllister was also a big contributor with three rbi's and two runs scored. Contributions were made all up and down the White Sox line up, including rookie Griffin Bono's first major league hit.

This victory pushes the White Sox record to 2-0, while the braves drop to 0-2.

Spring Training Begins

Winter baseball is over, assessments complete, and teams drafted. With the new league format and the merger with Epping calling for only two Northwood teams in the majors, the Red Sox and the Mets were dropped and all the leagues players were up for grabs and available for drafting by the two remaining nameplates, the Braves and the White Sox. Last night, the new look White Sox took the field for the inaugural practice of the 2010 baseball season. The team was led through several throwing and fielding drills by new manager Dan Bono. Proper fundamentals were emphasized throughout the 2 hour practice with this years squad repeatedly scooping up ground balls and making the throws to first base. Practice had to be momentarily halted as Braves manager Tom Burghardt was caught sneaking into the field to obtain some illicit scouting information. Once he was escorted from the area, practice was able to resume.

Returning White Sox members include Dylan Andrews and Willie Ohrenberger. Coming over from the now defunct Red Sox are Alex Gray, Isaiah Allen, and Tim McAllister. Former Met Bryce Twombly also joins the squad, as well as Gavin Scoon and Dylan Atkinson coming over from last years Braves. Add in rookies Griffin Bono, Chris Stevens, and Nathaniel Hartman, and this becomes a very dangerous team.

With the merger with Epping, Northwood now will have two teams in a four team Majors division, with the other two teams being provided by Epping, as Epping shrinks from four Majors teams to two as well. This concentration of talent should provide four teams that are much more competitive and talented than in years past, and when it comes time to form a post-season all-star squad, the competition should be stronger as well, providing Northwood/Epping with a team capable of doing some real damage in the district tournament and beyond.

Character, Commitment, Community

Recently, I've had the pleasure of photographing some of the games of the Journeyman Basketball program in Exeter. I see a lot of teams and I see a lot of games, but there is something different about Journeyman Basketball.

Serving the greater Exeter area, Journeyman Basketball is a 501C(3) non-profit organization. Falling somewhere in between a recreational league and AAU, Journeyman is organized so that every player can strive to reach their potential as both a player and as a person. Founded by JP Sanborn 10 years ago, the organization continues to grow and thrive based on two simple principles.

First is "Character, Commitment, Community".

As defined on their web site: "What good is any athlete without the first two of the above traits? And what good is an individual without respect and involvement of the third. Journeyman wants to help all players develop a solid foundation in all three areas." This isn't just lip service. A large "CCC" emblazons the shorts of every uniform, and community service is not just suggested, it is expected.

The second tenet of Journeyman Basketball is:


"What matters is how you play TODAY."

As defined on their website "We expect each player to show up on time ready for each new practice, ready to learn something new and ready to work for his team. We put aside whatever happened yesterday, good or bad, and start anew. We all work towards improving a players ability and attitude. No one brings his or her "A" game everyday, but everyone can put forth their best effort daily."

Notice the part about "attitude". I personally witnessed six games from this sessions play. Not once, not one single time, did a player roll his eyes, slam the ball, complain, whine, or mouth off to any official, coach, or player. They played hard (real hard) and plenty of bodies were colliding and hitting the floor, but every time someone hit the floor, someone extended a hand and helped them up, and it didn't matter what color jersey they were wearing. This attitude extends to the parents as well. For each game, the gym was full of parents who cheered equally for both teams. No complaining about the officials, or the other team, only encouragement for all of the players.

Journeyman Basketball is a shining example of how to run a youth athletic program. Thank you to JP and all of the volunteers that make it possible.