Kyle Armstrong Archives - 91Ƶ News /now/news/tag/kyle-armstrong/ News from the 91Ƶ community. Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:26:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 Making Royals baseball history: trio named to All-State team /now/news/2015/making-royals-baseball-history-trio-named-to-all-state-team/ Thu, 25 Jun 2015 18:54:46 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=24704

Three’s company, and when it comes to 91Ƶ’s all-state baseball selections, it’s also historic.

A scrappy sophomore with a reliable bat was a key piece of that puzzle.

Outfielder – a 5-foot-9, 170-pound Rustburg High School graduate – led the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in hitting at .423 (47-for-111) and was one of three Royals named to the by Virginia’s sports information directors late last week.

Senior shortstop joined Hall on the first team, and senior relief pitcher made the second team. Players on non-Division I teams were eligible.

91Ƶ had never had three VaSID all-state selections in the same season before.

“I’m not surprised all three of these guys were named all-state after the years they had for us,” third-year 91Ƶ coach said. “I think each of them had different paths to this point.”

But in terms of Hall’s path…

‘A role guy’ to much more

“To go from the start of his year this year as sort of a role guy, to a guy you couldn’t get out of the lineup to all-state first-team, it’s a big surprise,” Spotts said.

Hall was a part of Spotts’ first recruiting class and impressed people with how quickly he was able to contribute. After being brought in as a raw athlete, Hall hit .318 in 19 games (10 starts) as a freshman. Then, he surprised himself on March 3 in his first start in right field, throwing out two Mount Union runners – one at second base and one at home plate – during the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla.

“I felt like I knew I had the arm for it, but at that time I didn’t know where it would go,” Hall recalled. “I honestly didn’t know where it would go.”

Spotts envisioned Hall as a backup shortstop entering this year and expected him to become a key player as a junior and senior. However, one look at Hall’s speed during an impromptu relay race last winter was all Spotts needed to speed up the process of getting Hall onto the field.

“He always had the tools. It was just a matter if it could translate over,” Spotts said. “He never played outfield. We made him an outfielder. … It just became a matter where we couldn’t wait another year.”

Getting Hall into the lineup paid immediate dividends as the All-ODAC first-team outfielder averaged 1.52 hits per game and finished with a .492 on-base percentage this spring. Spotts credited Hall’s competitiveness and simplified approach at the plate for his strong batting average.

“His bat certainly gets him recognition, but if you watch him, [he’s got a big arm in the outfield],” Spotts said. “Heck, we put him on the mound because he competes so much.”

As a closer, Hall didn’t allow a run in seven innings of work with eight strikeouts, giving up just two hits (both singles) and four walks. But clearly it was his speed that initially separated Hall, who Spotts lauded for his ability to drag bunt, push bunt and hit the ball the other way.

“Even when he was a freshman, I was facing him in the fall and he got an infield single off me,” Marzullo said of Hall, who batted second behind fellow sophomore Griffin Stanley. “The way he hustles around the bases and just how hard he plays in the field, it was obvious he was going to make an impact on the program. … He plays harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Spotts said it’s still uncertain whether Hall will inherit Rodriguez’s role at shortstop – a place where Rodriguez “gave us calmness” for three years – or continue to man the outfield. Hall, for one, wasn’t too concerned where he’d play next season, whether it is outfield, shortstop or third base.

“I don’t feel like where I play in the field will affect my hitting any,” he said.

Marzullo tough to replace

As for Marzullo, a durable right-hander who led the Royals with 15 appearances? Finding a replacement to match his role might not be as easy.

“We’ll be searching for someone,” Spotts said. “It was good to know if our starter gave us five or six innings, we could turn it over to Austin. We’re certainly going to miss him because I’ve always said your pitching sets the tone.”

The 6-foot-5 Marzullo (2-2, 2.76 ERA) was a first-team All-ODAC selection who had four saves in 32 2/3 innings for 91Ƶ after being initially disappointed that he wouldn’t be in the starting rotation. After struggling with command issues as a spot starter and reliever in past seasons, Marzullo said he changed his mentality on the mound.

“The first thing, I just had more confidence in my pitches, to be able to throw them across the plate at any time and trust that they will work,” Marzullo said. “It was also a focus pitch-by-pitch rather than results.”

Marzullo went 1-0 with two saves over 91Ƶ’s final six conference games.

Program on the rise

Rodriguez and Marzullo are two of nine graduating seniors for the Royals, including former Riverheads High School standout Kyle Armstrong [see editor’s note] and former Stonewall Jackson star Ryan Henschel.

“I’m excited to see how it ended for those guys, guys that finished on a high note and got our program to where it hasn’t been in a long time,” Spotts said.

The Royals (16-18 overall, 10-10 in the ODAC) tied a program record for conference wins and snapped a 12-year playoff drought by securing a spot in the six-team ODAC tournament this spring.

Courtesy of the Daily News Record, June 23, 2015

Editor’s Note: Kyle Armstrong, listed in the original article as a graduating senior, has one more season of eligibility.

]]> Senior day sweep jumps 91Ƶ into fifth in ODAC /now/news/2015/senior-day-sweep-jumps-emu-into-fifth-in-odac/ Mon, 13 Apr 2015 20:15:12 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=23931 Showing they could play two very different games, 91Ƶ’s baseball team picked up a clutch ODAC sweep of Roanoke on Senior Day. On the backs of defense and pitching, the Royals won the opener before out-scoring the Maroons in a wild nightcap.

With the wins, Eastern Mennonite jumps from seventh in the conference standings into a tie for fifth. The top six teams will make the ODAC Tournament, a feat 91Ƶ last accomplished in 2002.

The Royals are 9-9 in league play, tied with Roanoke at 8-8, although the men now hold the head-to-head tie-breaker between the two. Lynchburg sits just behind them at 7-8. 91Ƶ plays two more conference games, ending the season with a twin bill at second-place Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday. Roanoke has four games left, including a game at Lynchburg, while LC still has five league games to play, with the final one next Sunday.

91Ƶ 5, Roanoke 2
After pre-game Senior Recognition ceremonies, the day’s high spirits were dampened by an early confusing play. Just three batters in, Roanoke’s Craig Kiley lofted a ball deep to left, and(Greenville, Va./Riverheads) crashed into the outfield fence trying to make the catch. Despite the great effort by Armstrong, he couldn’t make the play and it was discovered the ball somehow got over the fence. After some discussion, the umpires ruled it a homerun, giving the Maroons a 2-0 lead.

But the Royals quickly took the momentum back, starting their first inning with a walk and back-to-back singles to score a run. A sacrifice fly tied it at 2-2, and(Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) knocked a clutch two-out, two-RBI single to left, flipping 91Ƶ in front, 4-2.

Starting pitcher(Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) settled down on the mound and proceeded to allow just four more hits through 7.0 innings of work.

A Roanoke error in the fourth helped the men score, as Armstrong hit an RBI groundout to bump the lead to 5-2.

Brown handed the ball over to (Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg) in the eighth, and the big righthander allowed just one baserunner as he struck out three to earn a two-inning save. The game fittingly ended on a great play in the outfield, as a diving catch by Armstrong in the left-center gap closed a 1-2-3 ninth.

Along with a couple of airborne catches in the outfield, Armstrong led at the plate as well, batting 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.(Miramar, Fla./Monsignor Edward Pace) was 2-3 with a walk and run, while Mathews and(Bedford, Va./Staunton River) each had a pair of hits as well.

Brown struck out five and improved to 3-4 with the win, while Marzullo tied for the ODAC lead with his fourth save of the season.

91Ƶ 11, Roanoke 9
The Royals looked destined for a sweep with a quick start in the second game. Rodriguez had three RBIs and Love sent a two-run bomb over the scoreboard in left field for the men’s first homerun of the season, as 91Ƶ led 5-0 after two.

Roanoke quickly tied it with a five spot in the third, however, doing the final damage with a three-run homer to left, chasing starter(New Market, Va./Stonewall Jackson).

91Ƶ went back ahead thanks to a two-out error in the bottom of the frame, but the Maroons got a pair of two-out RBIs in the fourth to get in front. The teams traded single runs in the fifth, leaving the visitors on top 8-7.

𱹱(Sugar Creek, Ohio/Hiland) finally provided some stability on the mound, entering in the sixth and retiring six straight batters. Meanwhile RC’s reliever broke down in the bottom of the sixth, issuing back-to-back walks to start the inning. The Maroons botched a sacrifice play from the Royals, loading the bases with nobody out. One run scored on a wild pitch, another on a single from Mathews and a third on a sacrifice fly from(Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford), as 91Ƶ regained control, 10-8.

Rodriguez ripped an RBI double in the seventh, making it 11-8.

Marzullo returned to the hill in the eighth, and allowed one run in his second appearance of the day.(Gladys, Va./Rustburg) then entered in the ninth, and after a leadoff walk he got three straight outs to lock up the win and earn his second save.

Weaver picked up his first win in an 91Ƶ uniform with his big-time performance in the sixth and seventh innings.

The offense had 12 hits and six walks, with each position player either scoring or driving in a run. Rodriguez had a big game, going 3-4 with a walk and four RBIs. Carroll was 2-3 with a walk, scoring time times and knocking in another. Hall reached base three times with a pair of singles and a walk while Love had two RBIs on his big homerun.

At 15-14 overall, the Royals step out of conference play for two games during the week. The men host The Apprentice School Tuesday at 4 p.m. in their final home game before playing at Messiah College at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

]]> Safe at home: Royals baseball coach Ben Spotts makes local recruiting a key contributor to success /now/news/2015/safe-at-home-royals-baseball-coach-ben-spotts-makes-local-recruiting-a-key-contributor-to-success/ Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:14:36 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=23760 91Ƶ head baseball coach has a simple recruiting philosophy: Do not lose local athletes to other Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) schools. That’s a tough goal, considering the proximity of three recruiting rivals in the Valley: Shenandoah University, ranked 11th in Division III; Bridgewater College; and Division I James Madison University, currently carrying six local players on its roster.

But 91Ƶ’s growing success, including a recent upset of Bridgewater’s highly touted team, suggests that Spotts’ recruiting philosophy—and his mission for the Royals program –is helping the Royals compete at a higher level.

Of the 42 players on the Royals roster, 12 are from the Shenandoah Valley.

The wealth of local talent has deep roots: a love of baseball has often been passed down through the generations of Valley families. And there’s the rich local history of the game: The , which dates to 1897, and the , dating to 1925, have offered both playing and spectating opportunities for decades (until becoming a collegiate league in 1961, the Valley League was open to any player).

Valley baseball players

“There’s not much else to do in the Valley but play ball,” jokes Martin Clark, a sophomore pitcher who graduated from Broadway High School.

Others from Rockingham County (and listed by their respective high schools) are freshman pitcher Logan Phelps, Spotswood, and sophomore catcher Ryan Hedrick, Turner Ashby.

From the northern Valley region come senior pitcher Ryan Henschel, Stonewall Jackson; freshman outfielder Julian Bussells and junior pitcher Ryan Tierney, Warren County; and sophomore catcher Aaron Cook, Luray.

The southern Valley is represented by freshman pitcher Tristan Childress, Waynesboro, and senior outfielder and pitcher Kyle Armstrong, Riverheads.

This group of mostly underclass local talent symbolizes Spotts’ recruiting strategy—and it’s one factor contributing to a significant turn-around in the program’s history.

When Spotts first started in 2013, the games were sparsely attended. Now on game days, cars line College Avenue, the small hillside behind the home dugouts is crowded with fans and their lawn chairs and blankets (and usually a few dogs, too), and the concession trailer does good business.

More and more wins

In 2011 and 2012, 91Ƶ managed only 11 wins. Most ODAC schools would look at their schedules before the season started and etch a “W” next to 91Ƶ’s name. In 2013, after Spotts arrived, 91Ƶ jumped to 15 wins. Last year, the Royals finished the season with a 20-19 record, notching their first winning record since 2002 (that year, the team was led by , currently a catcher for the Kansas City Royals). It was also just the third 20-win season in program history.

According to Spotts, who came to 91Ƶ after spending 14 seasons at Bridgewater College, the ODAC has improved in competition, commitment level and facilities in the past five to seven years. He speculated that the ODAC could be one of the top three Division III conferences in the country. In a , two teams in the 14-team conference, including Randolph-Macon at seventh, are ranked in top 20 (Bridgewater was ranked 19th until dropping out during the March 24 polling).

Ryan McAlister’14 saw the struggling program turn around under Spotts’ guidance. He arrived at 91Ƶ in 2011 from nearby Turner Ashby High School and one of the state’s most consistently competitive baseball programs (TA teams have earned six AA state titles and several graduates have gone on to professional careers in Major League Baseball).

“Going from a very competitive school in high school, to my first year here – winning 11 games and losing 28 – it was a lot different than being on a winning program,” said McAlister, who currently coaches the junior varsity team at his alma mater.

Planned, disciplined practices

Then Spotts took over. McAlister, along with the other players, took a liking to their new coach. Practices felt productive, and team chemistry began to feel cohesive.

Under Spotts’ coaching, McAlister earned All-State and All-ODAC honors. In his final season, McAlister batted .365 and held a .447 on-base percentage. He tied for the team-high in runs scored with 35, and led the team in stolen bases with 13.

Spotts is “thorough and disciplined, and he’s got a plan,” says Dave McAlister, who hardly missed one of his son’s home games. “He’s organized. He’s a good fit for 91Ƶ, and 91Ƶ’s a good fit for him.”

Of his son’s progress on and off the field, McAlister says 91Ƶ was an excellent choice: “At 91Ƶ, Ryan picked up what we might call maturity things.”

Tristan Childress, a freshman pitcher, has entered the legacy that McAlister left behind. He was also recruited by Bridgewater, but Spotts proved to be a deciding factor, Childress said, adding that he found the energy Spotts brings to the field “convincing.” Perhaps more importantly, Childress said the senior leadership were just as positive about the program and the upcoming season.

Recruiting coachable, motivated students

When recruiting players, Spotts says he looks for coachable and motivated student-athletes “who want to be a part of the campus community and are committed to being a part of the academic and athletic community at 91Ƶ.”

“These players are committed to making our baseball program on of the top in the ODAC,” he said, “and they understand the hard work and year round commitment that is involved in competing in a college baseball program. I continually talk about our team and each player leaving their mark on our program in a positive way.”

In the previous two seasons, seven players have earned s and one player, Jonathan Estrada, was named to the .

As for future recruits, Spotts says he’s always on the lookout for local talent. A common misconception among prospective students, he says, is that 91Ƶ is only open to those of the Mennonite faith.

Like the game of baseball, 91Ƶ is “open to all faiths,” he says. “Come visit. You may not come here if you do visit, but you’ll think hard about it.”

]]> Royals grab three wins in one day in Florida /now/news/2014/royals-grab-three-wins-in-one-day-in-florida/ Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:35:33 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=19512 The Royals baseball team finished their play at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational with a bang on Friday, winning three games in less than the span of 12 hours. Eastern Mennonite won four of five in Florida, and returns home with an 11-5 record, just four wins from their win total from last spring.

91Ƶ 6, MCLA 5
The Royals opened with an afternoon game against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and they scored single runs in each of the first four innings. The Trailblazers put up three runs in the third, then took a 5-4 lead with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Neither team would score again until the eighth, when (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) hit a two-out RBI double to tie the score. (Poquoson, Va./Poquoson) then led off the top of the ninth with a double, was sacrificed to third, and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly from (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby). MCLA managed a one-out walk in their final at-bat, but that was it.

The men had an 11-8 advantage in hitting, led by Posey’s 3-5 with two runs. The senior also started on the mound and pitched 6.1 innings for a no decision. Only three of the runs were earned and Posey struck out nine batters. (Carroll, Va./Carroll) earned the win by giving up just the one walk with four strikeouts in 2.2 innings.

91Ƶ 14, Clark 6
Next up, the Royals resumed a doubleheader with Clark University. The Cougars had led 5-1 when the rains had ended play the day before. 91Ƶ had the bases loaded at the time, however, and the rally resumed when play picked back up on Friday.

The men put on a clinic in the at-bat, sending 17 men to the plate with nine hits and four walks. 91Ƶ scored 12 runs to surge in front 12-5, with Hedrick knocking a pair of two-run singles in the inning. (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) also had a two-run triple.

The Royals overcame four errors in the game by getting 15 hits and six walks in the seven-inning contest. (Miramar, Fla./Monsignor Edward Pace) was 3-4 with three runs. Hedrick was 2-4 with a walk and four RBIs, while (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) added three RBIs. Every starter reached base at least twice for the men.

(Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) pitched four innings and was charged with five runs. (Greenville, Va./Riverheads) pitched Clark’s half of the fifth inning before rains suspended the game and earned the win. (Front Royal, Va./Warren County) then threw the final two frames, giving up an unearned run.

91Ƶ 6, Clark 3
The bats kept rolling in the nightcap as Eastern Mennonite jumped to a 6-1 lead. Armstrong had a two-run single in the first. The Cougars brought home single runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, but neither team scored over the final two innings.

(new Market, Va./Stonewall Jackson) and (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) combined to limit Clark to just three hits. Henschel started and allowed all of the runs in 4.2 innings, although only one was earned. Salladay struck out three in 2.1 innings of hitless relief.

Hedrick and Armstrong were each 2-4 with two RBIs. Posey and McAlister each scored twice. (Miami, Fla./Doral Academy) didn’t chart an official at-bat, but finished with three walks, a sacrifice fly, an RBI and a run scored.

As the Royals prepare for Christopher Newport on Tuesday, they will have a chance to see how they have improved in Ben Spotts’ second season as head coach and with his first full class of recruits. Last year, 91Ƶ had the same number of wins as this year after their trip to Florida (at 11-8), but struggled through the ODAC season to a 15-24 final record. Despite finishing with the most wins since 2002 last spring, the Royals will be looking for a better conference season this time around.

]]> Royals Take Two From Hampden-Sydney On The Road /now/news/2013/royals-take-two-from-hampden-sydney-on-the-road/ Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:35:46 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=16500 The Eastern Mennonite baseball team earned an impressive sweep on the road Saturday, taking down Hampden-Sydney College (HSC) by a combined total score of 15-3. The Royals used just two pitchers in the twinbill, as each starter threw all nine innings.

91Ƶ 8, Hampden-Sydney 3
 The Royals scored the first run of the game in the top of the second, but HSC answered with single runs in the second and third to jump ahead, 2-1.

The men used small ball to take over in the sixth. Two singles and a sacrifice put runners on the second and third, and (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) had the clutch two-out hit, scoring both runners to put 91Ƶ up 3-2.

(West Point, VA/Christchurch) had an RBI single in the seventh and (Miramar, FL/Pace) knocked in two more with a single in the eighth. Back-to-back RBI doubles from (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) and (Greenville, VA/Riverheads) gave the Royals their final runs in the 8-3 win.

(Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) went the distance from the hill to improve to 4-0. He scattered seven hits, struck out three and allowed two earned runs.

Five men each had two hits in 91Ƶ’s 13-hit attack. Rodriguez was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run. Estrada rapped a pair of doubles with a run and an RBI. (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) singled twice and scored twice. Mortimer was 2-5 with two RBIs and a run, while Posey also singled twice and scored.

91Ƶ 7, Hampden-Sydney 0
 Senior (Henrico, VA/Varina) was in control from the mound in game two, holding the Tigers to just five hits in a complete game shutout. It was his third complete game shutout of the year, and his first of the nine-inning variety, as he improved to 4-2.

The offense took advantage of five Hampden-Sydney errors as five of the seven runs were unearned. 91Ƶ played great small ball again in the game, as all eight of their hits were singles and they had four walks and two sacrifices.

Posey and Rodriguez each singled and walked and scored twice.

With the impressive wins, the Royals improve to 13-10 overall and 3-3 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Next up is a non-conference date with Averett on Tuesday in Harrisonburg. Although there have been different start times mentioned, the correct first pitch will be at 4 p.m.

]]> Royals Earn Sweep, Move to 11-8 /now/news/2013/royals-earn-sweep-move-to-11-8/ Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:11:53 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=16382 The 91Ƶ (91Ƶ) baseball men are now riding a three-game winning streak after taking a sweep from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Friday to wrap up play at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Royals went 3-2 in Florida and return home with a record of 11-8, tying their win total from each of the previous three seasons with 21 games still to go in the 2013 campaign.

91Ƶ 5, MCLA 2

Both teams played small ball to a 2-2 tie after four innings of play. The Royals finally broke through in their final at-bat of the seven-inning contest.

Austin Oliver (Gordonsville, VA/Orange County) led off with a single, and two batters later Ryan McAlister (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) hit a clutch two-run single to put 91Ƶ up 4-2. Kyle Armstrong (Greenville, VA/Riverheads) added an RBI single to provide the final 5-2 tally.

Adam Posey (Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to complete the win. He gave up one earned run on four hits to improve to 3-0.

Armstrong led the offense with a pair of singles and a walk. McAlister had the big two-run hit in the seventh and Justin Rodriguez (Miramar, FL/Pace) reached base twice with a single and a walk.

91Ƶ 9, MCLA 0

The Royals methodically scored in four of their six at-bats in the second game of the twin bill to secure the shutout.

Daniel Stanley (Henrico, VA/Varina) was untouchable from the hill and struck out 10 while allowing only four hits. He didn’t walk a batter. The senior is now 3-2 on the year.

McAlister was 2-3 with a walk and two runs. B.J. Mortimer (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) had a pair of sacrifice flies and scored a run. Zach Bowles (Staunton, VA/Robert E. Lee) was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run while Oliver and Phillip Jordan (West Point, VA/Christchurch) each had a pair of RBIs as well. Rodriguez scored twice.

91Ƶ 7, Wittenberg 5

The Royals also had a win over Wittenberg on Thursday, jumping to a 5-0 lead and holding on for the decision. Armstrong got the final out for the save while Casey Harlow (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) pitched the first 5.2 innings for the win. Harlow struck out six and allowed two runs on four hits.

Oliver led the offense with two hits and two RBIs. Jordan and Jonathan Estrada (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) each went 1-3 with an RBI.

After the drive back from Florida, Eastern Mennonite has a couple of days off before they take on new Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponent Shenandoah at home next Wednesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in Harrisonburg.

]]> Baseball Sweeps Mount Saint Vincent, Improve to 7-5 /now/news/2013/baseball-sweeps-mount-saint-vincent-improve-to-7-5/ Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:51:54 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=16176 91Ƶ’s baseball men are now 7-5 after a pair of doubleheader sweeps over the weekend in Harrisonburg. The Royals powered past Mount Saint Vincent on Sunday, plating 25 runs in two, seven-inning games.

91Ƶ 9, Mount Saint Vincent 1
 The men pounded out 13 hits in the opener and jumped ahead in the bottom of the first when (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) ripped a two-run triple. (Staunton, VA/Robert E. Lee) added a run-scoring triple in the third to make it 4-0.

(Greenville, VA/Riverheads) jumped on the three bagger parade in the sixth, as his two-run triple highlighted a five-run frame.

The visiting Dolphins got their only run on a one-out groundout in the seventh.

(Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) improves to 2-0 with the complete game win, as he struck out seven and scattered three hits.

Estrada finished 3-4 with three runs and two RBIs, as the catcher was a homer short of hitting for the cycle. (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) was 2-3 with two RBIs and a run while Armstrong went 2-4 with two RBIs and a run. (Miramar, FL/Pace) walked and singled and scored twice.

91Ƶ 16, Mount Saint Vincent 2
 The men picked up their second 16-2 win of the season in the nightcap, pounding out 17 hits. They scored at least one run in each of the six innings the offense came to the plate.

(Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) had the biggest swing, ripping a two-run homer in the sixth. It was the junior’s first homerun of his collegiate career.

Mortimer keyed the attack out of the five-spot, batting 3-5 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Armstrong missed the cycle by a homer and finished 4-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run. Posey had a double and three walks, and scored four times.

McAlister, Estrada and Bowles each had two hits.

(Henrico, VA/Varina) threw the first six innings and improved to 2-1. 91Ƶ’s ace struck out eight Dolphins. Armstrong struck out a pair as he pitched the seventh.

Eastern Mennonite is now on a four-game winning streak. The men have also won five of their last six to move two games over .500. The Royals open conference play next weekend, playing a pair at Emory & Henry on Saturday before heading to Florida for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational the following week.

]]> Baseball Working Hard to Build a Championship Program /now/news/2013/baseball-working-hard-to-build-a-championship-program/ Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:38:44 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=15905 As what usually happens with a coaching change, 91Ƶ’s first-year skipper, Ben Spotts, is starting at the ground floor. Spotts is taking a Royals program which hasn’t had a winning season since 2002, using the good pieces already in place, and implementing his style.

“(I expect) a team that is fundamental in what we do, competes every time out no matter who we are playing, understands the importance of hard work year round, and plays hard every day,” he explained. “I have placed a big emphasis on making the routine play, pitchers throwing strikes, and staying within our ability level in what we do.”

Spotts, who was a long-time assistant at the perennial power of neighboring Bridgewater College, sees positive signs already.

“I am excited as we begin the 2013 season,” he said. “The players have done what I have asked them to do since day one in the fall season and have been eager to learn and move this program forward in a positive direction.”

Despite having one of the best offensive seasons in program history, Eastern Mennonite finished 11-27 last spring. The Royals batted .335 as a team, and broke 91Ƶ team records for hits, triples and at bats. Gone from that team, however, are All-ODAC performers Dylan Smith, Beau Banglesdorf and Chris Rodriguez.

Spotts feels like he still has good group of offensive players returning.

“I think we can expect some consistency throughout our lineup,” he said. “We lost some hitters to graduation who had good numbers but I feel we will have a solid approach every day and hope to be very aggressive on the bases.”

All-ODAC Second Team third basemen (Miramar, FL/Pace), who was an ODAC Rookie of the Year candidate last spring, returns after batting .374 with four homeruns and 41 RBIs in his freshman campaign. Senior outfielder (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) also returns. He was among national leaders with his 12 sacrifices last year, adding a .304 batting average.

Junior (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) is back at second base after batting .312 with eight sacrifices and a team high ten stolen bases. Also anchoring the returners are junior catcher (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) with his .310 batting average along with senior outfielder (West Point, VA/Christchurch) and a .429 batting clip.

Spotts thinks that experienced core will help lead his team.

“I feel we will have a solid team defensively who can make the routine play, an offense that I think can be consistent one through nine, and three veteran starters on the mound,” he said.

The returning base of pitchers is a bit smaller, but does give 91Ƶ some experience.

As a junior transfer last spring, (Henrico, VA/Varina) led the Royals in starts, innings and strikeouts while tying for team highs in wins and complete games. He charted a 2-4 record with a 6.25 ERA. Classmate (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) was also 2-4 last year with a save, notching a team best 4.28 ERA. (Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) finished 1-3 with a complete game as a sophomore.

The trio of right handers will be the top three of Spott’s pitching rotation. As a team, the Royals struggled to stop opponents in 2012, giving up a .345 batting average with a 7.81 ERA.

“I know this is a big question mark for our team this year,” Spotts acknowledged. “I have three veteran guys who will be in a starting role so I am looking for them to log some innings and give us a good start every time out. Coach (Bill) Buracker has done a good job with our pitching staff on giving them a solid plan every day to improve.”

With pitching depth being an issue at 91Ƶ for a number of years, Spotts knows it will be hard to turn that issue around in one year.

“We have placed a big emphasis on throwing strikes and competing every day on the mound,” he said. “It takes time to build a staff that has the needed depth and roles for a 40-game schedule, but I am excited in what this year’s staff can bring if they are consistent every time they go on the mound.”

Among the newcomers to the team this year, two of the expected impact players will help give 91Ƶ depth on the mound and in the field: sophomore Mary Washington-transfer (Greenville, VA/Riverheads) and freshman (Gordonsville, VA/Orange County). (Fredericksburg, VA/Stafford), a sophomore transfer from St. Andrews University, will see time at shortstop.

While the Royals aren’t expecting to win the ODAC this year, they are expecting to build towards that.

“Our goals are to get better every day and understand the work it takes to build a championship program,” explained Spotts, “to learn to compete and play hard every day, and to make the conference tournament.”

After being picked to finish last out of 11 teams in the ODAC Preseason Poll, Eastern Mennonite will be looking to turn some heads this spring. Spotts’ former team, Bridgewater, was picked first in the poll, followed a vote behind by Lynchburg and one more tally behind by ODAC-newcomer Shenandoah.

Spotts says that as the Royals aim for that upper echelon, an expectation to work hard is the place to start.

“This year is a new direction,” he said. “There is a foundation that is being laid this year for the future on what it takes and means to be a college-level baseball player and to compete every time we step on the field.”

91Ƶ opens the season Saturday, Feb. 2, with a doubleheader at North Carolina Wesleyan in Rocky Mount, NC. They play a single game at Ferrum College on Sunday.

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