Coach Todd Varesco - 2012 Gazette Baseball Coach of the Year
3B/P Tony Cianci - 2012 Gazette Baseball 1st team
OF/P Max Banks - 2012 Gazette Baseball Honorable Mention
SS Scott Ardoin - 2012 Gazette Baseball Honorable Mention

ESPNHS Baseball Players of the Week

By Mark Tennis & Doug Huff | ESPN.com

(After games of Tuesday, May 29)

One player is chosen from each region of the country. The only other criteria is that no player will be chosen more than once during a season.

EAST

Max Banks, Northwest (Germantown, Md.)
The senior outfielder-pitcher was a major cog in the first state championship won by the Jaguars. Northwest capped the run with a 7-6 Class 4A finals' victory over Arundel (Gambrills, Md.) in 12 innings, the longest final in state history. Northwest had to rally in the 7th and 10th innings to remain alive. In the postseason, Banks went 3-0 on the mound with a 1.22 earned run average. At the plate, he batted .600 with seven runs batted in, seven stolen bases and eight runs scored.

HITTING:
Average: Scott Ardoin - .384
AB: Joey Moeltner - 80
Runs: Scott Ardoin and Nick Siegel - 23
Hits: Scott Ardoin and Joey Moeltner - 28
Doubles: Nick Siegel - 8
Triples: Scott Ardoin, Max Banks, Steve D'Amato, JJ Jan and Nick Siegel - 1
Home Runs: Tony Cianci - 3
RBI: Nick Siegel - 21
Walks: Max Banks - 11
Strikouts: Mike Shannon - 6
Hit by Pitch: Tony Cianci - 6
Stolen bases: Max Banks - 12
SAC bunts: JJ Jan - 4
SAC fly: Scott Ardoin - 3
Total bases: Scott Ardoin - 33
On base %: Nick Siegel - .518
Slugging %: Tony Cianci - .541

FIELDING:
Fielding %: JJ Jan - .987
Errors: JJ Jan and Steve D'Amato - 1

PITCHING:
Wins: Tony Cianci - 6
Saves: Max Banks - 2
ERA: Joey Moeltner - 2.52
Innings pitched: Tony Cianci - 54.2
Strikeouts: Max Banks - 41

This team comprised of 7 of the 9 starters on the 2011 Jr Legion team that went to Tennessee for the NABF World Series and finished 3rd.

This team finished 2nd (lost to Good Counsel in championship)in the fall of 2011 MCBA season.

Scrimmaged and tied Linganore - 2012 3A regional semifinalist; scrimmaged and beat LaPlata - 2011 and 2012 3A state semifinalist).

Beat all 4 2012 Montgomery division winners (QO, Magruder, Poolesville and Whitman).

Beat the top 7 teams that finished ahead of us in Montgomery County.

Combined record of all teams we faced was 188-151.

Played 6 extra-inning games (3-3); 3 playoff games went extra innings (3-0).

Longest state championship game played (time (3:45) and innings (12)).

Beat the higher seed in 4A playoffs in all games except opening round (Kennedy 11 seed).

Beat the top 3 seeds (3 – Magruder; 2 - QO; 1 – Whitman) in succession on the road.

Only team in 4A to play and win 6 playoff games.

Max Preps has Northwest ranked #4 in the State and #290 Nationally
All-Met Sports (Washington Post) has Northwest ranked #6 in the DMV
ESPN has Northwest ranked #3 in the State

You could tell the atmosphere was going to be electric. Once again, the call for fan support paid off when the Jaguar fan base outnumbered Arundel’s fans. Shipley Field at the University of Maryland was again packed and ready to kick off the 4A State Championship game pitting Northwest against Arundel High. I don't think anybody thought it was going to be a game for the ages breaking a state record of twelve innings of play and the Jaguars nearly losing it twice and winning it twice. Finally, the Jags won it on a JJ Jan base hit to score Michael Coates (pinch running for Michael Shannon) on a walk off single in the bottom of the twelfth inning. This Jaguar baseball team refused to lose all season long. With only one hit through six innings, down three runs and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Jags fought back to tie the game and force extra innings. There is no other word to use to describe this game but as -EPIC!

On a very hot and humid day, Joey Moeltner took to the mound to start the game. Arundel jumped on him quickly scoring two runs on solid hitting. The Jaguars answered back in the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff walk by Scot Ardoin. He moved to second where Steve D'Amato singled him in. The Jags threatened in the second inning with bases loaded, Nick Siegel hit a blast to deep center field that was caught at the warning track ending any further scoring threat. However, in the third inning, Arundel hit solid balls from their big hitters to put up two more runs and take the lead 4-1. With both teams going down quietly in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, the game got very interesting. Max Banks, two days after his heroic performance, came in to relieve Moeltner. Max surrendered a run giving Arundel a 5-1 lead. A lead that looked insurmountable to overcome. Bottom of the seventh, it’s do or die time, Banks leads off with a triple. Arundel got Jan to pop up to short but Ardoin was able to hit a SAC fly to left field, scoring Banks. This is where the drama begins. Fans are chanting back and forth urging their teams to win. If you weren't there to see what happened next you would never believe it happened. The miracle run started with Siegel hitting a single and eventually stole second. That's when D'Amato came to bat and what appeared to be a strike out was a wild pitch and the Arundel catcher could not make the play at first base. Now with batters on the corner, Moeltner singled in Siegel. Arundel finally took out their best pitcher and at that point it didn't matter. Tony Cianci was up to bat and hit a double that scored D'Amato and Moeltner tying the score at 5 a piece all with two outs. Ryan Teachum was intentionally walked and then Mike Shannon was walked. Now with bases loaded and Max Banks up for the second time in the inning, unfortunately struck out but again the ball was passed by Arundel catcher. Cianci, who was at third base, was the go ahead winning run but Banks thought the ball had been caught and was thrown out at first base. Momentum was clearly still on the Jaguar side as Banks came back on the mound and put the Wildcats down in order in the eighth and ninth innings. The Jags fought hard in the eighth and ninth innings and were able to move runners into scoring position. The Wildcats would have none it that and stranded our batters on base. In the tenth inning that's when things started to get exciting again when Banks laboring with cramps was able to get the leadoff batter to ground out but walked the second batter. Banks was able to get the next batter to fly out to center field. With two outs and the number nine batter coming to bat, he proved to be worthy by hitting a shot off the fence in left field scoring the runner at second base to give the Wildcats a 6-5 lead. Into the home half of that inning, Banks walked and stole to second base. Jan was able to SAC Banks to third base. With Banks at third and Ardoin coming to the plate, the Jag coaches called one more time for the squeeze play only this time Banks left a little too early giving Arundel a chance to catch Max in a run down and the eventual out. Ardoin was eventually walked and was able to steal second base when Siegel came to the plate and delivered a game tying RBI double scoring Ardoin. Siegel was later thrown out at third attempting to steal. With Banks laboring over cramps, Tony Cianci was summoned to the mound to start the eleventh inning and proceeded to put the heart of the Wildcat batting lineup down in order. In the top of the twelfth inning, Arundel’s leadoff man singled and was bunted over to second but could not advance ending any threat. The closer inning came when Shannon started with a leadoff walk. Speedy Michael Coates was put in to pinch run and promptly stole to second base. Banks up again in a key position, struck out. With one out Jan was up to bat. Looking at a 2-0 fast ball down the middle, Jan hit a shot into left center field gap back to the wall scoring Coates easily from second giving the Jaguars their first State Championship.

It has been a wild ride the past two weeks beating Magruder, QO, Whitman, Sherwood and now Arundel in what was probably the best run through the best teams in the County. This will be a week the players will never forget and are now a fraternity that will last all their lives as well as the coaches and parents!

Spring 2013 will miss many seniors graduating this year but will be anchored by a solid group of incoming seniors in Scotty Ardoin, who led all players in batting average, total bases, and was tied for hits this year and was stellar at shortstop. JJ Jan returns as a top pitcher and combined with Scotty, make up the most potent middle infield in the county with over 980 fielding percentage. Mike Shannon anchors the catching position able to handle any pitcher on the mound and maintain the four spot in the hitting order. Ryan Teachum returns playing first base and gives the coaches flexibility to play him at any position. Also, hope to have Anthony Vattuone return and anchor our outfield and provide more depth in our pitching rotation. With a group of strong incoming juniors and sophomores, many who gained invaluable experience playing on varsity this year, will certainly, fill any void left by our outgoing seniors.

Finally, a word about our coaches, led by Todd Varesco, who has compiled a record of 25-14 in his two seasons at the helm at Northwest, has earned much respect in the county by winning the State Championship. With Tom Krahling back as hitting coach and holding down first base as well as Tracy Callahan handling the pitchers, this core of coaches will enter their third season - seasoned! Not to forget assistants JD Kolick and Jay Johnson providing inspiration and attitude to our players while helping coaches in any capacity. And finally, JV coaches Kyle Culver and Johnny Grant will continue to groom all the JV players to eventually play at varsity level.

To all the coaches, players, parents and fans, The Jag Baseball Family would like to thank all this year for their support and look forward to starting all over again!

HITTING:
Scott Ardoin: .565; 7 runs; 2 doubles; 1 triple; 10 RBI; 3 walks; 0 stikeouts; 3 stolen bases; 3 SAC's

Nick Siegel: .304; 8 runs; 3 doubles; 0 triples; 6 RBI; 4 walks; 2 strikeouts; 3 stolen bases;

Steve D'Amato: .384; 5 runs; 1 double; 0 triples; 4 RBI; 1 walk; 2 strikeouts; 3 stolen bases

Joey Moeltner: .240; 3 runs; 0 doubles; 0 triples; 4 RBI; 0 walks; 0 strikeouts; 1 stolen bases; 1 SAC

Tony Cianci: .300; 4 runs; 1 double; 0 triples; 4 RBI; 3 walks; 4 strikeouts; 1 stolen base; 3 SAC's

Ryan Teachum: .304; 5 runs; 2 doubles; 0 triples; 4 RBI; 0 walks; 1 strikeout; 0 stolen bases; 1 SAC

Mike Shannon: .105; 2 doubles; 0 triples; 3 RBI; 4 walks; 1 strikeout

Max Banks: .600; 8 runs; 1 double; 1 triple; 7 RBI; 7 walks; 3 strikeouts; 7 stolen bases

JJ Jan: .263; 2 runs; 0 doubles; 0 triples; 2 RBI; 2 walks; 1 strikeout; 3 stolen bases; 3 SAC's

Michael Coates: 6 runs; 2 stolen bases

PITCHING:
Tony Cianci: 1-0; 4.80 ERA; 10.2 IP; 7 ER; 15 hits; 4 walks; 5 strikeouts

Joey Moeltner: 1-0; 4.10 ERA; 17.2 IP; 10 ER; 16 hits; 8 walks; 8 strikeouts

Max Banks: 3-0; 1.22 ERA; 17.2 IP; 3 ER; 9 hits; 4 walks; 20 strikeouts

JJ Jan: 1-0; 0.00 ERA; 2 IP; 0 ER; 1 hit; 0 walks; 2 strikeouts

To Joey Moeltner and Scott Ardoin for receiving the Minds in Motion Award

To Joey Moeltner for winning the 2012 Jag Award

If Tuesday nights semifinal game was televised it would be an instant classic on ESPN. What turned out to be a gorgeous night for baseball, NW fans showed up in droves, many with banners and battle paint ready to cheer. TV news crews everywhere. The only thing left was for the ump to say "Play Ball." That they did as Sherwood drew the first blood by scoring an unearned run in the first inning to take the early lead. But in the top of the third inning, Sherwood sent nine batters to the plate. It started with a lead-off walk and then back to back doubles down the left field line. The final blow before getting out of the inning was a crushing two-run 400 foot homer over left field fence to put the Jags down 5-0. The Jags got one run back on a leadoff single by JJ Jan, who was moved over to third base on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Scott Ardoin hit an RBI double to score Jan but the Jags couldn't get another run across. Starting pitcher Tony Cianci, gave way to Max Banks after giving up a lead-off walk in the fourth inning. Banks gave up two hits and one run before settling down to strike out the last two batters in the fourth with the Jags down 6-1. Both teams went up and down quietly in the fourth, working in and out of trouble. The Jags came to bat in the fifth inning down five and at the top of their lineup. Ardoin singled to start the inning and moved to second on a fielding error. Nick Siegel doubled on a 2-2 fast ball deep into left center gap scoring Ardoin. Steve D'Amato singled moving Siegel to third. With one out, Cianci hit a fly ball out to left field scoring Siegel. Ryan Teachum singled in D'Amato and then Mike Shannon, the hero of the regional semi final game in a similar situation, doubled in Teachum. With four runs in and what probably should have been a pitching change for Sherwood, they opted to stick with the starter. Banks, in clutch fashion, singled in Michael Coates, who was pinch running for Shannon. When the dust settled, the Jaguars were able to tie the game 6-6 going into the sixth inning. Momentum clearly swung the way of Northwest. The next four innings were a pitchers duel. The Jags threatened to win the game in the seventh with two on and two outs, but could not plate a run. Banks was stellar on the mound putting down fourteen Sherwood batters in a row. A lone single in the tenth inning was all he gave up. Banks at the plate was equally impressive. With Sherwood's ace pitcher running out of gas, Banks doubled down right field to start the bottom of the tenth inning. JJ Jan was up next and bunted Banks to third. With one out, man on third base, Scotty Ardoin at the plate, Banks broke for home on a suicide squeeze. Ardoin laid down the perfect bunt and Banks scored easily to score the winning run 7-6. Northwest Jaguars, the 4A West Champions, have earned their way to play Arundel for the State Championship this Friday 2:30pm at Shipley Field on the campus of the University of Maryland.

Congratulations to:
1st team selection Tony Cianci (3B) and Joey Moeltner (1B)

2nd team selection Scott Ardoin (SS) and Nick Siegel (OF)

Tony Cianci for being selected to participate in the MCPS Senior All Star Baseball game.

Game is Wednesday May 23 at 6pm at Kelly park
Let's make sure we get out there to support Tony!!!!!!

Fantastic season to you all - keep it going!!!!!

The win solidifies what started almost a year ago, when practically the same Jaguar team started to gel and began an incredible run of victories against top ranked opponents. With the 4A West Regional finals on the line for both teams the "Under the Radar" Jaguars proved to be victorious in extra innings. The Jags found themselves in overwhelmingly unfriendly confines as the crowd was at least 4:1 Whitman way. Whitman players were very loose and packed with confidence but the Jaguars were unfazed and approached the game like all season long with understated confidence. This game picked right back up from the regular season game where Whitman was able to pull the win out by one in extra innings. The Jags jumped on Whitman right from the start when Nick Siegel drawing a walk. Steve D'Amato hit a shot to left field while Siegel was charging aggressively to third base, drawing a throwing error from Whitman that allowed D'Amato to take second base. Joey Moeltner came up to bat and hit into an RBI ground out to first but scored Siegel and moved D'Amato to third. Tony Cianci was next to hit an RBI single scoring D'Amato. Moeltner took to the hill on four days of rest. Whitman wasn't going to lay down and had three hits and scored two runs to tie the game 2-2. Moeltner in the next three plus innings retired ten straight batters. The Jags took the lead again in the fifth when Max Banks walked and stole second and third base. With the hot hitting Scotty Ardoin up, he promptly scored in Banks to close the inning Jags up 3-2. Moeltner entered the fifth inning with a one run lead, started to show signs of wear. Whitman again battled with some untimely plays when Moeltner walked his first batter, balked on the next batter and a wild pitched moved the runner in scoring position. The next Whitman batter was able to hit a single to score the tying run 3-3. Max Banks in relief was lights out the rest of the way as he has done all season long as a closer. Unfazed by a rough start walking his first batter and an error on an attempted pickoff move to first gave Whitman with a man at third base with one out. Banks was able to gather himself to strike out the next batter and got the last batter to pop out stranding the runner at third. Bottom of the seventh, Banks was able to strike out the side with the score still tied 3-3. Going into extra innings again, the Jags mounted a two out rally. With Ryan Teachum at first, Mike Shannon hit a blast out to deep center scoring Teachum. But the Jags would not rest there, Banks was up next and hit a blooper over the out stretched arms of the Whitman shortstop scoring Michael Coates, who was pinch running for Shannon, giving the Jags a two run lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning. With Whitman down two and the top of the batting order coming up to bat, Banks took to the hill to close out the game. Banks started off hitting the leadoff batter but was able to get the next batter to pop out to right field where Teachum made th routine play and got the ball back in to avoid any advancement by Whitman runner. The next two Whitman batters were their best hitters. Banks struck them both out to secure the win and gave Northwest their first 4A Regional Championship. The win propels them into next Tuesdays State semi-finals match against 4A North winners Sherwood High School at Shipley Field on the University of Maryland campus.

This playoff game had all the makings of a stellar game - great pitching, awesome defense, timely hitting, and a BIG TIME RIVALRY. Alongside a huge fan turnout with many NW students, teachers and administrators in attendance, the Jags pulled out another gut wrenching performance winning 4-3. Ace, Tony Cianci, took to the hill making his first start in the playoffs and looking for his fifth win. The first two innings of play saw solid performance offensively and defensively by both teams. The Jags finally spotted Cianci a 3-0 lead in the third inning when Mike Shannon walked, Max Banks was hit by a pitch (first of two for the day) and JJ Jan SAC bunted both players into scoring position. A red hot Scott Ardoin hit a SAC fly to left field scoring Michael Coats, who was pinch running for Shannon. The momentum continued when Nick Siegel reached first base and moved to second on an error that also scored Banks. Steve D'Amato hit an RBI single to end the inning with the Jags up 3-0. The Cougers kept clawing back scoring one run in the third, fourth and fifth innings to tie the score 3-3. Banks came in relief of Cianci in the fifth inning and promptly finished out the inning striking out the batter he faced. The Jags put up the would-be winning run in the sixth inning with two outs. Banks hit a single and was moved to second when Jan was hit by a pitch. Both advanced bases on a wild pitch. Ardoin came to bat and singled in Banks take the lead 4-3 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Cougers wouldn't go away, all afternoon they hit the ball hard and in the bottom of the sixth inning was no exception. A QO batter hit a shot to deep right center gap but was only topped by a spectacular hard running over the shoulder catch by Siegel, keeping the bases empty. It turned out to be a critical play as the next QO batter hit a double but was left on base. Going into the seventh, QO closed anymore threat from the Jags and had one more chance to make something happen going into the bottom of the seventh. Banks facing the top of the line-up, never flinched. Banks got the first batter to fly out in left field foul territory with a great Steve D'Amato catch. The second batter hit a scorcher to Ardoin at shortstop. The final out came down to two former Hawk players, facing elimination, mano-y-mano, pitcher against a power hitter. Banks in closer fashion threw his final pitch, a curve ball for a strike out looking, to end the game and advance the Jaguars to the Regional Finals for the first time in Jag baseball history!

The Jaguars looking for revenge against an earlier season loss to Magruder, came away with a decisive victory moving into the regional semis. The game picked right back where we left it last time, as a pitchers dual with both teams displaying solid defense. The Jaguars were able to put on the leadoff batter in the first three innings of play but could not get any runs across. Joey Moeltner got the start, looking for his third win in five starts. In the third inning, Magruder was able to get on the board first. After allowing a walk and three straight singles, Magruder jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Finally in the fifth inning, Max Banks scored on an RBI single by Scotty Ardoin. With the Jags down 2-1 in the bottom half of the fifth inning, Moeltner walked the lead-off batter and advanced to third base on a missed pick-off move. Moeltner, with no outs and a man in scoring position, came the pivotal moment of the game, when the Jags got out of the inning unscathed. Moeltner was able to ground out the next batter followed by consecutive pop outs to end the threat. The game finally opened up for the Jags when they sent 12 batters to the plate in the sixth and scored seven runs to take the lead 8-2. The onslaught began with Tony Cianci base hit single followed by a Ryan Teachum walk and Mike Shannon reaching base on a fielder’s choice. With bases loaded and Jag karma in the air, Magruders' starting pitcher walked in two straight runs. Magruder had a pitching change that did not stop the scoring when the Jags scored three straight runs on hits by Ardoin, Nick Siegel and Steve D'Amato. The Jags, with three outs to close the game, up 8-2 came back with Moeltner only to be relieved by closer Max Banks. Banks was able to shut the door on Magruder not before allowing them to score two meaningless runs. The Jags advance to the 4A West Regional Semifinals against nemesis Quince Orchard on Wednesday 4:30pm.

The Jaguars ran their record to 11-6 by scoring early and often in defeating the Kennedy Cavaliers by a score of 17-0, in 5 innings, of the first round of the West bracket of the 4A Maryland state playoffs. The Jags scored eight runs in the first inning by sending twelve batters to the plate. From there the Jags never looked back. The offensive catalysts today were Max Banks with 4 RBI, Ryan Teachum with 3 RBI and Scott Ardoin (who hit a triple, double and single), Tony Cianci and Nick Siegel each with 3 runs scored. Every Jag player reached base in the game. JJ Jan, in relief, ended up winning his second game of the season with two innings of one hit ball, allowing no runs. It was a combination of pitchers Joey Moeltner, Jan, Cianci and Steve D’Amato used to secure the win and advance to the Region Quarterfinals with a rematch at 3 seed Magruder, one week after a disappointing extra inning loss.

1st round of the 4A West playoffs is a game against Kennedy, at Northwest, on Friday May 11, at 4:00pm. A $5 entry fee is required per person/per game to attend (Montgomery County public school rule)

In another baseball thriller, going into extra innings, Jags succumb to untimely bounces and calls. The Jags jumped out early by loading the bases and scoring two runs. An eleven pitch lead-off walk by Scotty Ardoin was followed with singles by Ryan Teachum and Steve D'Amato to load the bases. Joey Moeltner singled in Ardoin and Tony Cianci hit a SAC fly to score Teachum. The Jags put up two more runs in the third when Magruder walked Moeltner and Cianci consecutively. Mike Shannon hit an RBI single scoring Cianci, followed by a Max Banks RBI double ending the threat with Jags up 4-0 going to bottom of three. With the game seemingly in control, Magruder was able to get men on bases and eventually score three runs. Cianci also took a lined shot back up the middle hitting him in his pitching arm. Cianci remained in the game and finished the inning pitching out of a jam. Cianci came back out in the fourth and shut down the side with a defensive 6-3 double play. In the fifth inning, Cianci gutted it out but allowed a couple of base hits and Magruder was able to push one across to tie the game going into the sixth inning. In the sixth inning, JJ Jan took to the mound in relief and was able to get out of the inning with no runs after an incredible Max Banks web gem and followed by a cannon to home plate to nail the advancing runner. In the seventh, with solid pitching and a defensive hold, the Jags were called back out onto the field on an appeal of the last play at first. Jags were able to overcome that call and throw the next batter out at first. In the extra inning, the Jags were in scoring position but was unable to push the run across going into the bottom of the eigth. Magruder was able to reach base on consecutive Jag errors and were moved over on a SAC bunt. The Jags intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases. Jan was able to strike out the next batter and Banks was able to catch a line drive to the outfield and throw back to home plate to end any scoring threat. With the bases loaded, two outs and the scored tied, the count 3-1, Magruder was able to win the game on a walk-off base on balls on what was a questionable call. The last two games and our strength of schedule will make us really battle tested and ready to enter the playoff with the utmost confidence. The Jags end the season with a 10-6 record and await our next opponent when the playoff draw is held later this week.

This game had a playoff atmosphere with a large crowd at hand. Many family, friends and schoolmates showed up to say goodbye to seniors Max Banks, Nick Buck, Tony Cianci, Steve D'Amato, Joey Moeltner, and Nick Siegel. All the Jag players wanted to win this game for the seniors and they tried their best by going two extra innings. Joey Moeltner took the mound in search of third win of the season. The first inning, Moeltner was able to get out of a jam with one run across by Whitman. The Jags tied the game in the second on a lead off single by Moeltner. Later, he was able to steal second and eventually scored on a Tony Cianci RBI single. The game became obvious that it was going to be a pitchers duel with Moeltner pitching his heart out. The Jags ended a Whitman threat in the fourth with another solid defensive double play from Scotty Ardoin to JJ Jan to Ryan Teachum. With the game still tied in regulation, Jags had opportunities to win the game but Whitman showed their prowess on the field as well. Moeltner took to the hill in the ninth inning still pitching strong and believing in his defense. A Whitman player hit a line drive shot to outfield for what was sure going to be a base hit, when all of the sudden Siegel dove for the ball, caught it and robbed him of a hit. Certainly the web gem of the game but Whitman was undeterred. The next batter was walked and the following batter hit a shot to deep left field scoring the lead run to go ahead 2-1. The Jags, with its last inning to tie the game, threaten when Siegel hit a single. Mike Shannon grounded out moving Siegel into scoring position but the Jags couldn't get him across to lose 2-1 in nine innings of play. The Jags finish the regular season this Monday at 5:15 with a road trip to current 4A East division winner Magrudar.

Max Banks, Nick Buck, Tony Cianci, Steve D'Amato, Joey Moeltner, Nick Siegel

The Jaguars are now a perfect 3-0 against the teams that have won their current MCPS Division Championships. Senior pitcher, Tony Cianci took to the hill, seeking his fifth win of the season. After the Falcons came out strong with the bats, scoring three runs to open the game, Cianci only gave up two hits in the remaining four innings he pitched. The Jags did not falter and got on board with three straight base hits by what is becoming known as "Murders Row." Joey Moeltner reached base and moved to second on an error. The Falcons walked Cianci and Siegel hit an RBI single bringing in Moeltner. Before ending the inning, Max Banks was able to bring in Cianci on a single. The Jags broke open the game in the third inning when the Falcons walked Steve D'Amato. The bases started to load up with Moeltner hitting a single, Cianci was hit by a pitch and then Siegel reached base on a fielders choice scoring D'Amato. Mike Shannon crushed a shot down left field scoring Cianci and Siegel. The Falcons walked Banks leaving two men on base. JJ Jan was up to bat and hit a base emptying stand up triple giving him three RBIs for the day. Jan later scored on a Falcon error allowing Scotty Ardoin to reach first base. Ryan Teachum up for the second time in the inning was walked and D'Amato hit an RBI single ending the scoring onslaught. The Jags added two more runs, one in the fourth and fifth innings. With the Jaguars solidly up 11-3 going into the sixth, D'Amato was summoned to the mound for his first appearance of the season. He struggled a bit but got out of the inning allowing the Falcons to score three runs. D'Amato returned to the mound in the seventh to close out the game. After walking his first batter he was relieved by Scotty Ardoin also making his first appearance of the season. Ardoin working though a little rust hit his first batter but than settled down to allow the Falcons to hit three straight fly ball outs to end the game 11-6. The Jags have a big day this Saturday for SENIOR DAY going against league leading first place Walt Whitman. Start time for the game is at 2:30pm.

The Jags started out with great promise jumping ahead 1-0, when lead off hitter Scotty Ardoin singled. Soon after, Ardoin moved to second base on a WJ wild pitch and later scored on a Ryan Teachum RBI single. Max Banks making his third start of the season started off on fire striking out the first two batters he faced,but got roughed-up letting WJ score six in the first inning with the aid of a questionable call. The Jags closed the gap in the third inning when Steve D'Amato reached base on a dropped third strike and later moved to second on a WJ wild pitch. Joey Moeltner singled and later stole second before Tony Cianci singled in both base runners. In the bottom of the third inning, Joseph Brauch, in relief of Banks, was able to get out of a tough inning only to run into trouble in the fourth, walking three consecutive batters. JJ Jan was called to the mound facing a tough situation with bases loaded and no outs. WJ scored three more runs, again with a questionable call at home,to lead 10-3. Jan pitched a scoreless last two innings highlighted by a 1-6-3 double play. The Jags scored one run in the fifth inning when Moeltner singled and stole second again and then Nick Siegel hit an RBI double. The Jags rallied for two more runs in the sixth inning on a Jan walk and an Ardoin RBI double followed by a Teachum RBI single. In the seventh inning, sophomore Michael Coates, batting for Banks, walked and was moved to third when JJ Jan singled through right field, breaking a multi-game hitless streak. Scotty Ardoin hit an RBI single when Teachum approached the plate with two outs and representing the tying run. Teachum didn't go down with out a fight. The Jags return home Thursday against newly crowned 3A/2A division winner Poolesville at 3:30.

For the second year in a row the Jaguars had to travel to Montgomery Blair high school and for the second year in a row they have come away with a win. It was Joey Moeltner’s second start and his second consecutive win of the season. Steve D’Amato, Tony Cianci and Nick Siegel each had two RBI. The Jags got things started in the top half of the first inning when Scott Ardoin singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. He later scored on a D’Amato single. In the third inning Ardoin again lead-off, this time with a double. Moeltner singled him in. Moeltner moved to second with another Blair wild pitch. Cianci drove him in with a single of his own. During the home half of the inning D’Amato made a web gem of a catch on a shallow hit ball to right field saving a run. In the fifth inning Max Banks walked and moved to second on a D’Amato single. Banks reached third when the Blazers pitcher tried to pick him off second and threw the ball into the outfield. Moeltner hit a hard shot to second base scoring Banks. With the Jags up 4-0 going into the sixth inning Moeltner was having a stellar game with 6 strikeouts and only 1 walk. After three runs were scored against Moeltner, Anthony Vattuone came in in relief and got the leadoff batter to pop out ending any threat. The Jags put up three more insurance runs in the seventh to to go up 7-3. May opens up with a road game at Walter Johnson. Game time is 3:30pm

The Jags got back to their winning ways by defeating a red hot BCC team. BCC just came off of fresh wins agains Whitman, Wootton and RM but was road blocked by Jaguar pitcher Tony Cianci. Cianci gutted his way through six innings to earn his fourth win of the season. The Jags got on the board when lead-off hitter Scotty Ardoin was hit by a pitch and later scored on a BCC error. BCC tied the score at 1-1 but the Jags went back on top when Steve D'Amato hit an RBI single, bringing in Anthony Vattuone, who had reached base on balls. BCC than took back the lead 3-2 in the fourth inning on four consecutive hits, aided by a few Jaguar misplays. BCC ran themselves out of what could have been a big inning by a few blunders of their own. The Jags tied the game in the fifth inning when D'Amato was brought in on a deep fly ball hit by Nick Siegel earning him a two-out run RBI double. In the sixth inning, Mike Shannon reached base on a single and Anthony Vattuone was hit-by-a-pitch when Ardoin came up and delivered the game winning two RBI single over third base. Ryan Teachum delivered a SAC bunt moving Ardoin to third base where he was stranded with the Jags up 5-3. Cianci took the mound looking to complete another game but ran into some trouble when Max Banks was called in to close the game. Banks, in closer like fashion, shut down the BCC Barons to revenge last years early round playoff lose by winning 5-3. The Jaguars are now 8-3 heading into Saturdays 1:30 game at Blair.

The one thing you can not say about the game was that it lacked excitement and drama. Two things were certain to leave the park, Tony Cianci's hits and Damascus' coaches and fans. Making his debut start was freshman Joseph Brauch. After a few batters reached on base, Brauch was able to retire with no runs across, after second baseman JJ Jan made a third out web gem shutting down any threat. The second inning saw senior Tony Cianci hit the first of two home runs of the day that brought in Joey Moeltner, giving the Jags a 2-0 lead. After a tough three innings, Brauch was relived by Jan. The Jags scored two more runs in the fourth inning when Moeltner and Nick Siegel reached base on respective singles. Mike Shannon hit a shot into right center to score both runs. Ejections came after heated objections from Hornet coaches on a play called out at first base. A few Hornet fans were also ejected from the game after they continued to object the call. After all that excitement, the Jags were able to score in the sixth inning after Moeltner hit a lead off double. Siegel was able to bring him in on a base hit single. After Jan got into some trouble loading the bases in the sixth, Moeltner turned a double play to end any threat. The Hornets attempted a bunt, that popped up shallow, allowing Moeltner, in a heads up play, to catch the pop fly while throwing back to Ryan Teachum covering first base for the third out. After ending the seventh inning in a 5-5 tie, Cianci hit his second home run of the game. Siegel later scored on a few Hornet errors. With the Jags up 7-5, Damascus scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to win the game. The Jags have to come right back Wednesday to make amends for last seasons early playoff exit, when they play BCC at 3:30.

Steve D’Amato broke out of a hitting slump by going 2 for 3 with 4 RBI to lead the Jags to an 8-2 thrashing of rival Quince Orchard. Tony Cianci pitched another complete game to earn his third victory of the season. Cianci allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits. The defense was stellar. Joey Moeltner, JJ Jan and Ryan Teachum turned a pair of 5-4-3 double plays. Quince Orchard jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning. The Jags scored two runs in the bottom of the inning on a series of errors by Quince Orchard. Quince Orchard 3rd baseman allowed Mike Shannon to reach base on a booted ground ball. Shannon later reached third base on a pick-off moved that was over-thrown and a pass-ball by the catcher. D’Amato delivered a solid full-count pitch into right field to score Shannon. D’Amato reached third base as well on an attempted pick-off overthrow that went into right field. Scott Ardoin attempted a suicide squeeze that resulted in D’Amato being tagged out at home but then the catcher over-threw the ball and Ardoin reached third. Ardoin then scored on a wild pitch. Quince Orchard added one run in the fourth inning. With the score tied 2-2, the Jags sent nine batters to the plate and scored six runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth to break open the game. Moeltner reached on an error, Cianci was hit by a pitch, and Nick Siegel walked, loading the bases. Shannon was then hit by a pitch scoring Moeltner. Teachum singled in Cianci. D’Amato doubled to deep right center empting the bases. He reached third on an over-throw by the outfielder. Ardoin then SAC bunted D’Amato in to end the scoring. The Jags now stand at 7-2 and travel to Damascus on Monday afternoon for a 3:30 game.

Joey Moeltner making his first start of the season pitched six plus innings with only one hit. A pitchers dual till the fourth inning, the Jags got on the board when Joeseph Brauch reached base on a Gaitherburg error and later scored on a Scotty Ardoin single. Gaithersburg squandered all their opportunities but having some timely defensive plays was the difference. The Jags turned a double play in the fourth inning and a web gem from Anthony Vattuone that saved a run going across the board in the seventh. The Jags added an insurance run in the seventh inning when Ardoin lead off with his second single of the game. Vattuone SAC bunted Ardoin to second base and reached third on a wild pitch. Max Banks hit a deep fly ball to right field that scored Ardoin to close out the inning. Max Banks back in relief for Moeltner shut down Gaithersburg to close out the game 2-0. That puts the Jags 6-2 on the season heading into Saturdays tilt against second place Quince Orchard at the Black Hole at Jag Field game start 10:00am (Note the new start time).

If the first inning was any indication for things to come you'd assume Jags would have notched its sixth win. Unfortunately, six more innings had to be played. In the first inning, the Jaguars jumped to a 6-1 lead sending 11 batters to the plate and had six hits. Scotty Ardoin doubled to lead off the game. Anthony Vattuone was hit by a pitch followed by an RBI off of a Max Banks single. After Max stole second, Joey Moeltner singled in Vattuone. After Moeltner stole second, Nick Siegel singled in Banks and Moeltner. Ryan Teachum then singled to advance Siegel to third base. Sac fly by Steve D'Amato scored Siegel. Max Banks saw his second start of the season but soon saw three other Jag pitchers take the mound. For the next four innings the Jags were only able to muster 1 run off of multiple Seneca Valley pitchers. All the while, Seneca Valley woke up from the first inning to score 10 runs off of good hitting. The Jags came to bat during the sixth inning down 7-11 with a two out rally. The rally started off with Tony Cianci being hit by a pitch, Moeltner was walked and then Siegel hit a two run RBI triple. Teachum singled in Siegel and reached third on a throwing error. Teachum was stranded at third with the Jags down 10-11. Seneca Valley scored four more insurance runs in the seventh inning. The Jags could only muster one more run in the bottom of the seventh to go down 15-11. Scotty Ardoin had his second game in a row with a web gem on a hard hit ball as he ranged far to his right, going to his knees, popping up and throwing the batter out at first and saving runs across the board. The Jags are now 5-2 still in contention with a lot more company in tow. The Jags look to rebound Thursday when they travel to Kelly Park to play Gaithersburg at 4:00pm. (note the time change)

On this beautiful clear spring day, no superstition could hold off the Jaguars as they beat Clarksburg 13-8. JJ Jan made his second start of the season and picked up the win pitching 4 complete innings. Scott Ardoin got things started with a lead-off single in the first inning, he eventually scored on a Joey Moeltner single. The Jags scored five more runs in the third when five straight Jags reached base and scored. Ardoin walked and advanced to second base on a throwing error after Anthony Vattuone hit into what could have been a routine double play. Max Banks followed up with a two RBI double into right center gap. Joey Moeltner followed that up with his own two RBI single. Clarksburg rallied in the forth to close the gap 7-4 but the Jags were not finished and scored five more runs in the fifth. Once again five straight Jags reached base and scored. Nick Siegel led off the inning with a double, Ryan Teachum followed that with his own double off a Clarksburg misplayed ball in left field. Steve D'Amato hit a two RBI single. Clarksburg loaded the bases by walking Mike Shannon and JJ Jan. Ardoin then hit a shot into center field scoring Nick Latarte, who was pinch running for Shannon. The scoring ended when Vattuone hit an RBI single scoring Jan to go up 13-4. Clarksburg rallied in the fifth scoring one run and three more in the sixth off of Joseph Brauch who came in relief of Jan. Moeltner in relief of Brauch shut the door on Clarksburg in the sixth and seventh inning. All nine Jag starters reached base and scored. The Jags went one and one on their two game road trip. The Jags return home Tuesday at 3:30 to face Seneca Valley which is the start of rivalry week. Three straight games against neighboring schools. Seneca Valley - Tuesday, Gaithersburg - Thursday and Quince Orchard - Saturday.

The first game back from a long spring break found the Jaguars downed by Wootton 3-1. It was a tough first loss of the season with Tony Cianci on the mound. Cianci had another solid outing, allowing just 2 runs over 5 plus innings. Even with another solid defensive game from the Jaguars, Wootton's pitcher was pitching lights out, silencing Jaguar bats for the most part. The lone Jaguar run was scored when Wootton committed a series of errors in the third inning. Nick Siegel reached on base on a dropped third strike - that would've ended the inning. The only other hit (Anthony Vattuone in the 3rd) of the game came on a Mike Shannon single, that moved Siegel over to third, who eventually scored on an errant throw - ball out of play. The Jags threatened in the fourth inning on a Ryan Teachum walk but failed to plate any runs. In the top of the seventh inning, Wootton's pitcher shut the Jaguars down to end any threat of a comeback. The Jaguars are now 4-1 and will travel to Clarksburg Friday for a 3:30 game.

Congratuations to former NW Jaguar player Charlie Cononie (2007) on making the 2012 Bowling Green Hot Rods team (Tampa Bay Rays class A affiliate)

The cardiac Jaguars again had to come back from an early deficit. This time to defeat the Rockville Rams 5-4 on the last game before Spring Break. The win moves the Jaguars to 4-0 for the season. Max Banks making his 1st start of the season on the mound, pitched out of a 1st inning jam to only allow 1 run. He struck out the side in the 2nd inning but gave up 4 hits and 3 runs in the 3rd. Then the sleeping beast woke up in the bottom of the 3rd. Steve D’Amato reached on a fielder’s choice and Banks helped his own cause with an RBI double. Banks later scored on a steal of 3rd when the Rams catcher threw the ball into left field. Banks again took the mound in the 4th to take the Rams down in order. The Jags scored 3 runs in the 5th on a Tony Cianci single, an RBI double by Joey Moeltner and an RBI single by Nick Siegel. Two batters later, Scotty Ardoin had an RBI double to end the scoring with the Jags up 5-4. Freshman Joseph Brauch relieved Banks after 2 batters got on base in the 6th. Brauch struck out his 1st batter in his varsity debut. At the same time the runner at 2nd was gunned down attempting to steal 3rd by Mike Shannon. With 2 outs and bases loaded, Brauch got the next batter to ground out to second. Brauch came back out to pitch the 7th inning and the 1st two batters went down quietly. The 3rd batter hit a routine shot to center field that was mishandled by Nick Siegel, the next batter was hit by a pitch and the 3rd batter singled. Again, bases loaded and the freshman threw nothing but fastballs and struck out the last batter to earn the save and secure the win. The Jaguars are off until April 11 when they travel to Wootton for a HUGE game at 3:30pm.

On a chilly blustery day, the Northwest Jaguars came back from an early 2-0 deficit on the road to defeat Blake on Monday. Tony Cianci, making his 2nd start of the season, at first was rusty, as were his fielders, as the Bengals scored 2 runs in the first inning. However, Tony shut out the Bengals for the next 4 and 2/3 innings to pick up his second win of the season. Joey Moeltner came on in relief in the bottom of the 6th and got out of the inning on one pitch. Joey struggled a bit in the 7th, walking the bases loaded with 2 outs before the last batter popped up to 1st and recorded the save. The Jags started their comeback by scoring their 1st run on Nick Siegel’s heads up base running when the Bengals 2nd baseman mishandled the ball on a Ryan Teachum's steal of 2nd. The Jags scored 2 more runs in the 4th inning when Siegel lead off the inning with a double and Tony Cianci knocked him in with a single. After Cianci stole 2nd, Mike Shannon singled with the 3rd straight hit of the inning. 2 batters later, Scotty Ardoin laid down a suicide bunt that scored Cianci. The Jaguars capped off the scoring when Cianci lined a 1 -2 pitch over the right center field wall for his 1st HR of the season. The Jaguars are now 3 -0 and return home on Thursday to take on Rockville at 3:30 PM.

The Jags sent 12 batters to the plate in an 8-run first inning in which Anthony Vattuone scored twice and Mike Shannon had a Sac Fly. JJ Jan pitched 2 no-hit innings before giving way to Max Banks. Max pitched the final 3 innings to close out the win. Banks struggled in his first inning of relief, hitting 2 batters and giving up 3 runs, but settled down nicely and struck out 7. After going down quietly in the 2nd and 3rd inning, the Jags responded by scoring 3 runs in the 4th and the final 2 runs in the 5th inning on Nick Siegel’s walk off RBI single ending the game at 13-3 on the mercy rule. Scotty Ardion had a web gem at short stop in the 4th inning ranging to his left grabbing the ball from his knees and throwing out the runner at first. The Jaguars travel to Blake on Monday for their first road game of the season.

Behind Tony Cianci’s complete game 3 hit shut-out, the Jags rolled over the Churchill Bulldogs 7-0. The game was scoreless through 3 when in the 4th inning Ryan Teachum's RBI single got the Jags on the board. A 4-run explosion in the 5th inning was started when JJ Jan drew a lead-off walk and scored on Steve D’Amato single. Mike Shannon singled and Joey Moeltner was intentionally walked to load the bases. Nick Siegel took a line drive to center on the first pitch of the at bat scoring Shannon and Moeltner and broke the game open. The Jags put 2 more on the board in the 6th on Steve D’Amato’s RBI triple and Mike Shannon’s RBI single to increase the lead to 7. The Jags are home Friday for a match-up against Watkins Mill.

The Northwest Jaguars Varsity Baseball Team will open their Class 4A West season at home on Wednesday March 21 at 3:30 against perennial 4A power Churchill.

make sure you check out Mrs. Ardoin's game photos by clicking on "LINKS" to the left then scrolling down to "NW baseball photos via Shutterfly"