2013 Pope Baseball – Varsity Game Summaries
2013 State Playoffs – Round 5 / Championship Series
5/25/13 Greenbrier vs. Pope
Game 2Final: Pope 15, Greenbrier 5 (5 innings)
Pope Sends 18 Batters to Plate in 4th Inning to Seal AAAAA State Championship in 15-5 Win
After relying on extra inning heroics in the opening game of the state finals, Pope used a dominating hitting performance to crush Greenbrier 15-5 and earn the AAAAA state championship before a huge home crowd.
Pope fell behind 2-0 in the first inning on a homer by Greenbrier, and then came back in the second to tie the game. Johnny Flading started the inning off with a single to left field, and Wes Smith walked. Brett Lyle laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over, and Jacob Culberson’s fielder’s choice pushed the first run across. Jared Parkerthen hit a grounder to second base that was misplayed and tied the game 2-2.
In the second inning, pitcher Patrick Wisemanstranded two base runners, using a strikeout and strong defensive plays behind him from third baseman Nathaniel Lowe and left fielderCarl Williams. In the third inning, shortstop Flading made two putouts to stop a scoring threat as Pope fell behind 3-2.
In the fourth inning, the Greyhounds secured their state championship with a relentless offensive inning in which it sent 18 batters to the plate and took a 15-3 lead. All nine batters hit twice in the inning. Flading led off with a single and Smith walked. Lyle followed with an RBI single to tie the game 3-3. After Culberson walked, Parker also walked to force in a run. Mason Shiflettfollowed with a single to drive in a run, and Wiseman crushed a two-run double to centerfield to push the score to 7-3. Lowe doubled off the centerfield fence to plate another run, and Stephen Skruck doubled to right field to put runners at second and third.
Flading started the second time through the batting order by reaching on an error by the Greenbrier third baseman, which loaded the bases. Smith singled to right field to increase the lead to 9-3, and Lyle’s single to right field sent another run home. Culberson stroked a two-run single to left field to move the score to 12-3, and Lyle later scored on a passed ball. Shiflett’s single to left stretched the lead to 14-3, and Wiseman’s double off the left field fence brought home pinch runner Harrison Siegal and finished the scoring, with the Greyhounds up 15-3.
Jacob Ramos came on in relief in the fifth inning and closed the door on Greenbrier, with the game ending 15-5 by run rule. After getting a fly out to Parker in right field and then a 1-3 putout after fielding a bunt and firing to first for the second out of the inning, Ramos induced a ground ball down the first base line. Wiseman made the unassisted putout at first for the third out, and Pope had its state championship as Greyhound students poured onto the field and over the outfield fence to celebrate the victory.
Pope finishes its championship season with a 28-11 record and series wins in each of the 5 playoff rounds – the top team of the 32 who began the playoffs. Coach Jeff Rowland and his staff earn the school’s second state championship since 2009.
For pictures from the Pope / Greenbrier championship series, click here.
2013 State Playoffs – Round 5 / Championship Series
5/25/13 Greenbrier vs. Pope
Game 1 Final: Pope 11, Greenbrier 7 (8 innings)
Lowe’s Walk-off Grand Slam Gives Pope Dramatic Win in Game 1 of AAAAA State Championship Series
Down to its last out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Pope turned to its slugger Nathaniel Lowe in game 1 of the state finals, and as he has all season, Lowe delivered. With the score tied 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Greenbrier opted to intentionally load the bases in order to get a force out at any base. Lowe responded by crushing a 2-0 pitch far over the right centerfield fence, giving the Greyhounds an 11-7 victory and a 1-0 lead in the best of 3 state finals.
Pope opened the championship series locked in a close game, as starting pitcher Braden Zarbniskysurrendered only one run through the first four innings, highlighted by striking out two Wolfpack hitters in the first inning and stranding two base runners.
The Greyhounds remained down 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning, when they used three hits to take a 2-1 lead. Patrick Wiseman opened the inning with a walk, and Lowe followed with a hard single to centerfield to put runners at first and second base. Greenbrier answered with a solid double play that left Lowe on second, but Johnny Fladingbrought him home with anRBI single to centerfield that tied the game 1-1. After Flading took second on the throw home, Wes Smith delivered an RBI single to right field to give Pope the lead.
In the fifth inning, Greenbrier took a 5-2 lead on two hits and several defensive miscues by the Greyhounds. Zarbnisky did not rattle, allowing only one earned run and notching two key strikeouts to end the inning.
Still down 5-2, Pope turned to freshman pitcher Joshua Lowe in the sixth inning to hold the game, and he answered with a groundout and two strikeouts. In the seventh inning, he struck out two more batters, setting the stage for the Greyhounds to rally in their final at bat.
The seventh inning turned out to be the most unusual inning of the entire season for the Greyhounds. Smith opened the inning with a single to right field, and Brett Lyle followed by reaching on an error by the Greenbrier shortstop to put runners at first and second. Jacob Culberson was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and after confronting the umpire on the call, the Wolfpack pitcher was ejected. After a new pitcher entered the game, Jared Parker hammered a line drive that was caught on a diving stab by the centerfielder. Pinch runner Harrison Siegal came home on what appeared to be an obvious sacrifice fly, but Greenbrier appealed and Siegal was called out for leaving early.
With two outs and runners on first and second, Pope’s hitters remained aggressive. Mason Shiflett brought a run home with a hard single to right field that took the score to 5-3. Wiseman followed with a single to centerfield that the defender bobbled, allowing both Culberson and Shiflett to score and tie the game. After Lowe was intentionally walked, Stephen Skruck hammered a long fly to deep left field that the Greenbrier defender tracked down at the wall to close the inning.
In the top of the eighth inning, Greenbrier took a 7-5 lead as Cameron Allison came on in relief of Lowe and struck out one and received help from Skruck in left field, who threw out a runner at home to end the inning.
In the final inning, Pope came down to its final out before rallying to win the game. With one out, Smith singled to right field and pinch runner Siegal then took second on a ground out. Culberson linedan 0-2 pitch to centerfield to score Siegal and bring Pope within one run at a 7-6 score. Parker slapped a high bouncing single to third base that the Greenbrier defender lost in the sun, putting runners at first and third. Shiflett then tied the game with a double to right field that brought Culberson home and set the stage for Lowe’s dramatic game-winning homer.
Pope put up 12 hits in the win, as Smith lead the way with 3 hits and Lowe, Shiflett, and Parker each had 2 hits. The win advanced Pope’s season record to 27-11.
2013 State Playoffs – Round 4 / Final 4
5/21/13 Starr’s Mill vs. Pope
Final: Pope 7, Starr’s Mill 6 (8 innings)
Game-Winning Double from Lowe Delivers Pope to AAAAA State Championship Series
Led by Nathaniel Lowe’s game-winning double in the bottom of the eighth inning, Pope overcame a strong Starr’s Mill team in the deciding game of the semifinals of the state playoffs Tuesday night. With the come from behind win, the Greyhounds play for the AAAAA state title beginning on Saturday 5/25 against Greenbrier. All games in the best of 3 championship series will take place on Pope’s home field.
Pope used 12 hits from its offense, clutch defense from the entire team, 5 strong innings from starter Lowe, and key relief work from Cameron Allison and Braden Zarbniskyto seal the victory.
Inning 1
The Panthers opened the top of the first inning on two infield singles before Jacob Culberson ran down a fly out in center field and Mason Shiflett speared a line drive at second base. After Starr’s Mill pushed a run across on a single to center and took a 1-0 lead, Pope squashed the rally on the same play using an 8-5-4 put out as Culberson threw to Brett Lyle at third base, who fired back to Shiflett at second to catch the hitter trying to advance.
In the bottom of the first, Patrick Wiseman singled to right field but was stranded there in a quick inning.
Inning 2
In the second inning, Lowe quickly set down the Panthers, striking out one. In the bottom of the inning, Pope grabbed a 2-1 lead. Johnny Flading led off the inning by reaching on an error by the Starr’s Mill third baseman, and catcher Wes Smith followed with a bloop single over first to put runners at the corners. Culberson then knocked in Flading on an infield single. Right fielder Jared Parker followed with a perfect bunt single to load the bases, and Shiflett’s fielder’s choice pushed across a run from pinch runner Harrison Siegal.
Inning 3
In the third inning, Lowe continued to quickly set down the Panthers as he got two putouts from Flading at shortstop and one from Shiflett at second base. In the bottom of the inning, the Greyhounds added to their lead. Lowe led off with a walk, and first baseman Stephen Skruck smoked a double to left field to put runners at the corners. Smith then knocked in both runners with a single over third base to give Pope the 4-1 advantage.
Inning 4
In the fourth inning, Lowe caught two Panther hitters looking for called third strikes. After walking a batter, Lowe then picked off the runner at first base, throwing to Skruck who threw to Flading to tag out the runner on a 1-3-6 putout. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Wiseman singled to centerfield but was stranded there.
Inning 5
In the fifth inning, Pope opened strongly as Flading ranged far to his left at shortstop to field a ground ball and throw out the runner at first base. After hitting a batter, Lowe induced a ground ball to Lyle at third, who fielded and threw to Skruck for the second out of the inning. Starr’s Mill followed with a walk and back to back singles to make the score 4-3. Left fielder Carl Williams ended the inning when he caught a long fly ball for the final out.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Skruck hammered another ball for a single and took second on a sacrifice bunt from Flading. The Greyhounds soon loaded the bases but were unable to plate any runs.
Inning 6
In the sixth inning, lefty Cameron Allison came on in relief of Lowe and effectively set down the Panthers, striking out one and benefitting from a nice running catch in right field by Parker for the second out before Shiflett fielded a grounder and threw to first to end the inning.
In the bottom of the inning, Shiflett led off with an infield single, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Lowe singled him home to give Pope the 5-3 lead heading into the Panthers’ final at bat.
Inning 7
In the seventh inning, Allison returned for his second inning of work. Starr’s Mill would not give up easily and used two singles, a hit batter, and a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 5-5. Allison then buckled down and fired strikes past the last two batters of the inning to send Pope to the plate with a chance to win the game in its final at bat. However the Greyhounds squandered Smith’s leadoff walk and failed to score, sending the game into extra innings.
Inning 8
After a 30 minute lightning delay, Zarbnisky took the hill in the tie game. When the first two Panther hitters reached base on a single and an error, Zarbnisky got the first batter on a ground out to Lyle, and followed with a strike out. After a balk sent the runners forward a base and gave Starr’s Mill a 6-5 advantage, Zarbnisky held the line and closed out the inning when Parker tracked down a fly ball to right field.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Parker led off the inning with a ground ball to shortstop. Hustling all the way, he was safe at first base when the throw was low and the Starr’s Mill first baseman couldn’t handle the ball. Parker quickly took second on a wild pitch, and then he took third base on a fielder’s choice from Shiflett. With the chance to tie the game, Wiseman fouled off multiple pitches before he scorched a single past the drawn-in second baseman to knot the score at 6-6.
Lowe stepped in and jumped on the first pitch he saw, crushing a double over the left fielder’s head as Wiseman rounded the bases and was waved home. Starr’s Mill got the ball in and relayed it to the catcher, but he bobbled the ball as Wiseman slid safely into home to score the winning run as the crowd loudly celebrated the victory.
The thrilling team win advances Pope’s season record to 26-11, and the Greyhounds enter the AAAAA championship series against Greenbrier in a double header Saturday at home. The first game begins at 3pm, with the second game scheduled for 5:30pm. If needed, the third game will be Monday 5/27 at 3pm. The winner will earn the AAAAA state championship.
For pictures from the Pope / Starr’s Mill deciding game, click here.
2013 Pope Baseball – Varsity Game Summaries
2013 State Playoffs – Round 4/ Final 4
5/20/13 Starr’s Mill vs. Pope (DH)
Finals: Starr’s Mill 14, Pope 0 (game 1); Pope 9, Starr’s Mill 7 (game 2)
Pope Falls to Starr’s Mill in Game 1; Lowe HR, Ramos Strong as Closer Help Pope Win Game 2 to Force Deciding Game 3
Pope hosted Starr’s Mill in the semifinals of the state playoffs Monday night and fell in Game 1 before winning 9-7 in game 2 to set up a deciding game 3 Tuesday night. The winner will advance to the championship series and play for the AAAAA state title.
Game 1 – Starr’s Mill 14, Pope 0
Starr’s Mill used 13 hits and 3 Pope errors to beat the Greyhounds 14-0 in the opening game of the semifinal series. Locked in a scoreless tie after the first inning, the Panthers used a big second inning to take the lead and did not look back.
Pope received hits from Mason Shiflett, Johnny Flading, and Patrick Wiseman, and defensively left fielder Carl Williams ran down a long blast at the fence. On the mound in relief, sophomore Joshua Lowe shut down a bases-loaded rally in the third inning by getting a double play from Shiflett. Tyler Liedberg, also a sophomore, came on in the fifth inning with runners at the corners and got a fly out to right field and then struck out two Starr’s Mill hitters to end the rally.
Game 2 – Pope 9, Starr’s Mill 7
The Greyhounds put the early loss behind them and stormed back in the nightcap, relying on 5+ innings of powerful pitching from Wiseman to win 9-7. Pope batters collected 11 hits in the victory and the team played strong defensively throughout the game. Sophomore Jacob Ramosworked very effectively in the sixth and seventh innings and earned the save.
The game opened with an infield single from Shiflett and then Wiseman reached when he was hit by a pitch. Starr’s Mill answered with a double play and later stranded three Pope base runners. In the bottom of the first, third baseman Nathaniel Lowe started a 5-4-3 double play, then gloved a hard grounder and fired to first base to close the inning.
In the bottom of the second inning catcher Wes Smith fired to second to catch a Panther base runner attempting to steal second.
Pope opened the third inning with a single to centerfield from Wiseman, and then Lowe was hit by a pitch. With runners at first and second, shortstop Johnny Flading lined a double to right field to score pinch runner Harrison Siegal. Smith stepped in next and lined a 2-run single to centerfield that scored Lowe and Flading and gave Pope the 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Starr’s Mill had runners on first and second when Lowe made a diving snag of a hard line drive at third base to end the inning.