Two unexpected losses over the weekend send the 2003 champs home early.

RADNOR - The Wayne Wolverines' 2004 championship hopes and season came to an unanticipated close this weekend as they dropped two games in substandard fashion.

The two 8-1 losses were quite disappointing in as much as the Wolverines had beaten these teams five out of six games during the regular season. Both games were also played on the Wolverines' home field at Radnor High.
Friday night, Wayne jumped out to a 1-0 lead against Aston, thanks to a second-inning single by Andrew Rufo and a big two-out RBI single by C.J. Yespelkis.

Aston rose to the occasion and changed the momentum, however, as Wayne left the bases loaded and the inning ended. To open the third, Aston pounded out five hits and scored four runs to take a 4-1 lead.

The score through four innings was somewhat deceiving because both teams had virtually the same number of base-runners and subsequent chances to score. For the Wolverines, their traditional aggressive base-running game was non-existent as Aston held them without a stolen-base attempt the entire game.

From that point on the highlights were all Aston as the Wolverines were outhit, 10-3, and never actually threatened. Ryan Hammonds pitched strong throughout the first five innings (seven hits, six earned runs, four strikeouts) and gave way to reliever Taylor Smith, who closed things out (two hits, two strikeouts).

Offensively Wayne (13-6) was lead by Yespelkis, who went 2-for-3 and Jordan Tetrick and Will Whitcomb with a hit apiece. Unfortunately, the top of Wayne's order went 1-for-16.

The loss dropped Wayne into the loser's bracket where it faced Haverford just 16 hours later.

If Friday night's game was disheartening, Saturday's game was even harder for the Wolverines to accept, as they watched their title hopes slip right through their fingers.

The Heat jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Things stayed that way until the fifth inning when Haverford put another run on the board to make it 4-0. To that point, the Wolverine offense was still stuck in neutral from the night before, managing just three hits and no runs.
Starting pitcher Steve Mazanek threw four effective innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just two earned runs. Will Whitcomb tossed the fifth and sixth, allowing a hit, two walks and two earned runs while striking out two. Taylor Smith closed out the seventh, scattering four hits, one walk, three earned runs and one strikeout.

Offensively, the Wolverines were led by Andrew Rothstein, who went 2-for-3 with a double and Rufo with a hit, the lone Wayne run and three-hard-hit balls. Yespelkis had a hit and Mazanek put down a picture-perfect bunt in the second.

All-star honors

The Wayne Wolverines were honored this week in having four of their players selected to the 2004 all-star team for the Main Line Junior Legion.

Left fielder Jordan Tetrick, shortstop Jimmy McConlogue and center fielder Taylor Smith were selected as first-team all stars. Catcher Andrew Rufo was selected as first alternate to the team.

This talented quartet led the Wolverines in almost every offensive category. Tetrick and McConlogue tied for the team lead in on-base percentage, registering an incredible .870. Tetrick also led Wayne in batting average and hits. He was second in runs scored and RBIs and tied for the team lead with McConlogue in triples.

McConlogue led the team in runs produced, RBIs and extra base hits, and was second in batting average.
Smith ,who led in doubles and extra base hits, was also tied for second in hits with McConlogue and third in batting average.

Rufo, who returns next year, led the Wolverines in the home-run category and was tied for third in RBIs. He was fourth among starters in batting average.

In addition, Smith and McConlogue led the pitching corps for the Wolverines with both hurlers winning four games. Smith led the team in appearances (13) and saves (three) and was the No. 1 closer down the stretch.

McConlogue, whose regular season record was 4-1, led the league with a phenomenal .056 ERA and led the team in strikeouts. The Wolverines' record in the games which McConlogue started was 6-1 and they shut out their opponents in three of those games.

The game will be played Saturday at Odorisio Park.

©The Suburban and Wayne Times 2004

April 17, 2004 Wolverines v. Plymouth (preseason)

Wolverines 21, Narberth 11

Andrew Rufo launched a 1-2 pitch into the left field netting for a Grand Slam Home Run, and the Wayne Wolverines never looked back in a 21-11 victory over host Narberth.

Narberth scored first, due in large part to some shotty fielding by the Wolverines (16-9-1, 11-4 MLL). Five first inning errors led to 5 unearned runs, and a 5-0 lead for the hosts. The lead would have been much larger if not for 2 outstanding defensive plays, one by Will Whitcomb and another by Taylor Smith in center. Whitcomb's diving grab at first, and Smith's running grab in center kept the score to only 5-0.

The Wolverines chipped away with one run in the 2nd, but caught up and took the lead for good in the 3rd. Trailing 5-1, a walk to John Lambert, an error, and a single by Taylor Smith (1-4, 2 RBI, run) loaded the bases. Jim McConlogue (2-3, 4 RBI, run) singled to drive in Lambert. After an out, Rufo hit the slam, and the Wolverines were up for good 6-5. Wayne would go on to score 3 in the 4th, 4 in the 5th, and 7 in the 6th to blow the game open.

Offensively, Wayne was lead by Rufo (1-2, HR, 5RBI, 3 runs), McConlogue, and Whitcomb (3-4, 2RBI, 3 runs). Matt Smith and Travis Price had their first multiple hit games of the season as well.

Mark Dzmianowicz picked up his 4th win of the season, with Steve Mazanek, CJ "At least I struck the first guy out" Yespelkis, and John Lambert finishing up with an inning apiece. CC

Ryan Hammonds and Taylor Smith combined to twirl a 4-hit shutout, and a leadoff run by John Lambert held up as the Wayne Wolverines beat the Haverford Heat 1-0.

John Lambert led off the game with a "Lambert Special," a swinging roller just past the pitcher that he beat out by 3 steps. After stealing 2nd, he was driven home on Jim McConlogue's double for a 1-0 lead. This would turn out to be the only run of the game. Wayne would have the bases loaded with no outs in the 4th, only to end the inning without a runner crossing the plate.

Fortunately for the vistors, Haverford had no luck against the two Wayne pitchers. For 4 1/3 innings, Hammonds (2-0) kept the Heat batters off balance. He allowed only 3 hits, while striking out three and walking just two. After walking two of the first three batters to start the 5th, the coaches went to "The Closer," and he didn't let the faithful down. Smith came in and promptly struck out the first batter he faced, then got the leadoff hitter to loft a lazy fly to left to end the threat. After a scoreless 6th, and the first 2 outs in the 7th, Smith walked a hitter to put the tying run on first. However, the runner made a poor choice and tried to steal on CJ Yespelkis, who fired the ball to second to end the game. Smith picked up the save for the Wolverines (17-9-1, 12-4 MLL) going the final 2 2/3 innings allowing just one hit.

Jim McConlogue (2-3, double, RBI), Smith (2-4, double), and Jordan Tetrick (2-3) had six of the eight hits for the Wolverines. CC

Nether Providence v. Wolverines

Jim McConlogue and Steven Mazanek combined for a sterling six hit shutout, and a strong defensive effort kept the Wolverines in the game until the bats awakened with a seven run sixth, as Nether fell to Wayne 9-0 on Saturday.

McConlogue kept opposing batters off balance with his mixture of speed and stuff, recording three strikeouts and no walks through six innings. But Wayne batters hadn’t fared much better to that point, recording two runs on just one hit, a lead-off triple in the first by Mark Dziemianowicz, who later scored on a Jordan Tetrick ground out. The Wolverines had scratched out a second run in the fourth when McConlogue walked, stole second, advanced to third on Tetrick’s grounder to short, and scored on Will Whitcomb’s ground out.

But Wayne hammered the Nether reliever in the sixth. McConlogue started it again with a walk, and moved to third as Tetrick’s bouncer to third was thrown away. John Lambert worked a walk to load the bases, and two batters later CJ Yespelkis came through with a clutch single to drive in a pair. Travis Price followed with a blooper over third for another RBI. Andrew Rothstein walked to load the bases for the second time, then Yespelkis scored when Steven Mazanek’s chopper to third eluded the Nether third baseman. With two outs, Taylor Smith walked to drive in the fifth run of the inning, and McConlogue helped his cause with the third single of the inning, scoring Rothstein and Mazanek.

Both Wolverine pitchers were aided by sparkling defensive plays. Nether threatened with two hits in the first, but each runner was gunned down by Yespelkis while attempting to steal. And a Nether lead off walk in the seventh was erased by a picture-perfect 6-4-3 double play, McConlogue to Matt Smith to Taylor Smith. TDz

Aston v. Wolverines

Solid pitching, and renewed offensive attack propelled the Wolverines (13-8-1, 8-3) to a 7-2 victory over visiting Aston (4-2 league).

Aston scored 1 in the top of the first, but Wayne came back with an answer in the bottom half of the inning. The Wolverines brought 8 men to the plate, scoring 3 times and never looked back. After a 1-out walks to Taylor Smith and Jim McConlogue (1-3, 2 runs), Jordan Tetrick (2-4, double, 2 runs, RBI) and Andrew Rufo (1-2, RBI, run) followed with back-to-back hits to put them home team up 3-1.

It would stay that way until the home half of the 3rd, when 2 hits, 2 walks, and a hit batter would lead to 4 more Wolverine runs, and a 7-1 lead. Aston scored 1 in the fifth, and had the bases loaded with 1 out in the 7th, but a strikeout and groundout to Steve Mazanek at short would end the game.

Jim McConlogue was a force on the mound, baffling the Aston hitters with his fastball and knuckler. McConlogue hurled a complete game five-hitter, while striking out 8 and walking only 2. He raised his record for the year to 3-1 with an 0.90 ERA. CJ Yespelkis threw out 2 Aston baserunners, and Mazanek made a diving grab and then threw across the diamond to double up an Aston runner at 1st to squash a rally by the visitors in the 2nd.

Wayne and Aston will get to know each other quite well this week, with 2 more meetings scheduled for over the following 3 days, Wednesday and Thursday, both at Aston's home field at Sun Valley HS. CC

Haverford v. Wolverines

Wayne rebounded from 2 losses the previous week to grind out a 7-1 victory over visiting Haverford. Wolverine pitching and defense was the difference, allowing only 6 Haverford hits and committing only 1 error. Wayne (12-8-1) capitalized on several Heat miscues and walks to plate the 7 runs.

Ryan Dayton (3 innings), Taylor Smith (2 innings), and Will Whitcomb (2 innings) did the mound work for the Wolverines. Taylor Smith picked up the win with his 2 innings of scoreless relief. Dayon, one of the mound leaders for the team, is out indefinately after taking a throw from left field in his right eye/cheek sliding into 2nd. The entire team is anxious to see Ryan back in the dugout!

On the offensive side, the Wolverines had only 4 hits (Dayton, Jim McConlogue, Andrew Rufo, and Andy Rothstein). John Lambert continued to make the most of his time on base, reaching 3 times (2 on errors), but scoring 2 runs. Rothstein also scored twice in the victory. CC

Roxborough v. Wolves

Narberth v. Wolverines

Taylor Smith’s two-run triple to center punctuated a nine run third inning, and Steven Mazanek scattered five hits over four innings to lead the Wolverines to their fourth win of the week, 13-3. Fourteen different Wayne players reached base, and twelve crossed the plate in a wild game that featured more walks (10) than hits (8).

Till the home third, it had the sleepy look of a low scoring, early morning game. Wayne struggled back from a 2-0 deficit in the first on a Ryan Dayton walk, stolen base, and RBI ground out by Jim McConlogue. After Narberth erased that run with one of their own in the second, the Wolverines strung together a Will Whitcomb single, Matt Smith walk, Mazanek sacrifice and RBI single by Andy Rothstein to keep within one.

After Mazanek shut down Narberth in the top of the third, registering his fourth of 5 Ks, the fireworks began. With one out McConlogue fisted a single to right. Jordan Tetrick walked, and Wills Wendell drilled an RBI single to the alley in left center. Andrew Rufo followed with a single up the middle that brought in Tetrick, and the Narberth hurler unraveled, issuing three straight walks to Whitcomb, Matt Smith and Mazanek., the last two forcing in runs. Rothstein’s grounder to short was played home, but Whitcomb slid in well ahead of the throw, giving Andy his second RBI of the day. Matt Smith scored when a wild pitch found its way under the backstop, setting the stage for Taylor Smith’s drive over the center fielder’s head. Dayton’s RBI ground out to ended the Wayne scoring.

Showing their gloves had awoken as well, the Wolverines pulled off two nifty plays in the fifth. With first and second runners and none out, John Lambert, who had relieved Mazanek, fielded a high chopper and tossed to third for the force. But the runner on first mistook the high bounce for a pop and never left the bag, so a heads up throw to second completed the 1-5-4 DP. Just a few pitches later CJ Yespelkis nailed the last hapless Narberth runner on an attempted steal. TDz

Wolverines v. Roxborough

Jim McConlogue pitched a shutout, and Wayne scored 2 runs in the top of the first to beat previously unbeaten Roxborough, 2-0.

John Lambert and Taylor Smith, for the 2nd time in two games, reached base to open the first inning. Their back to back singles put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. A walk to McConlogue loaded the bases. Jordan Tetrick then hit a hard ground ball to the Bandits second baseman, which bounced off his body and into the outfield, plating Lambert and Smith. Those 2 runs would turn out to be the only runs of the game.

McConlogue cruised through the first 2 innings, and prior to starting the bottom of the third, a 20 minute rain delay almost cost the Wolverines their lead. However, play resumed, and so did the pitchers duel. After 5 innings, the game was official, with Wayne leading 2-0. The Wolverines would go on to score 8 runs in the top of the 6th, but the game was called prior to starting the bottom of the sixth, so the game reverted back to the end of the 5th.

McConlogue finished the game officially with a 2-hit, complete game shutout. He struck out 7 while walking only 2. John Lambert was 2-3 with 2 singles and run scored to lead the Wolverine offense. Jordan Tetrick and Smith each had 1 hit in the first 5 innings. Wayne improved its record to 9-6-1 overall, 4-1 in the Main Line League. CC

Nether Providence v. Wolves

Wayne scored 6 runs in the first inning, built the lead to 9-0, and cruised to a 9-2 victory over Nether Providence. After falling 10-3 to the same NP team just 2 days earlier, this game was never in doubt. John Lambert and Taylor Smith started the game with walks. After an RBI groundout by Jim McConlogue, Jordan Tetrick ripped an RBI double, Wills Wendel had an RBI single, and the Wolverines never looked back.

Ryan Dayton pitched 6 innings to get the win, allowing only 5 hits and 1 ER. Steve Mazanek pitched a scoreless 7th to finish the game.

Offensively, Travis Price was 1-1 (2 RBI) with a walk and 2 runs scored. Ryan Dayton (2 RBI), Will Whitcomb, Taylor Smith, and CJ Yespelkis also had hits for the Wolverines (3-1, 8-6-1). CC

The Wayne offense stalled in a 10-3 away loss to Nether Providence on Monday, as the Wolverines stranded 6 runners and were held to their lowest offensive output since mid-May.

Nether jumped out early and had the Wolverines in a 8-1 hole by the fourth. Wayne’s run had come when Jordan Tetrick walked, advanced on an Andrew Rufo single and walk to Will Whitcomb, and scored on Ryan Dayton’s sacrifice fly.

Jim McConlogue led off the sixth with a double over the right fielder. The Nether reliever was greeted by a shot by Tetrick that one-hopped into the woods in left for a ground rule double, scoring McConlogue, and rousing Wolverine supporters with the prospect of a late rally. Rufo proceeded to drive in Tetrick (who had advanced to third) on a ground out, but the rally fell short. TDz

Wolverine hitters unleashed a fifteeen hit barrage, while Jimmy McConlogue allowed just three hits over five innings as Wayne romped 11-4 over Concord on Thursday.

Taylor Smith and Ryan Dayton had three hits, and Andrew Rufo, and McConlogue notched two each in the Wolverines most potent offensive display to date. A three run first started it all. Lambert singled, moved to second on Taylor Smith’s sacrifice, and scored on McConlogue’s single. Jordan Tetrick reached when the Concord catcher lost the handle on a third strike, and Andrew Rufo delivered an RBI single.

Wayne added three more in the third to go up 6-1. Taylor Smith legged out a grounder to deep short, and was immediately driven in on McConlogue’s rocket over the head of the Concord left fielder. Tetrick and Rufo singled to load the bases. After Ryan Hammonds’ fielder’s choice, Will Whitcomb drove in Tetrick with a single, and Travis Price got Rufo across with a bunt down the first base line.

Five more runs in the 4th and 5th iced the cake. Andrew Rothstein ripped a double to right center to lead off the fourth. Lambert reached on a bunt up the first base line, and Taylor Smith’s bloop fell just behind the mound to load the bases with no outs for the second inning in a row. McConlogue waited out the Concord pitcher for an RBI walk, and after Tetrick’s pop up one of the stranger plays of the season ensued. Baserunner interference was called on Andrew Rufo’s chopper to short, while Lambert crossed the plate with the second run of the inning. In the fifth, Travis Price and Dayton reached based and scored before the ball made it out of the infield. Taylor Smith drove in the final run with a single (John Lambert who had reached on a fielder’s choice).

Hammonds relieved McConlogue for the final two innings, and was helped in the sixth by Whitcomb’s unassisted double play on a liner he backhanded over the bag at first, doubling off the Concord runner. TDz

May 30, 2004 Wolverines v. Hamburg
May 29, 2004 Wolverines v. Norwin
May 28, 2004 Wolverines v. Reading JL
Tournament Results
Hamburg Humbled, 5-1
May 30, 2004 -- Gritty 5-hit pitching by Mark Dziemianowicz was supplemented with flashy fielding as the Wolverines topped Hamburg 5-1 to salvage a 2-1 record in the Unique Pretzel City Challenge. Diz stuck out six over six innings and Taylor Smith finished with a 1-2-3 seventh as the Wolverines finished the tourney on a high note.

Wayne scored first in the second. Andrew Rufo led off with a fly to center that the Hamburg outfielder lost in the sun. Ryan Hammonds followed with a smash to third that was too hot to handle, and two batters later Andrew Rothstein drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to center. The Wolverines scratched out another run in the third when Jimmy McConlogue made it to first on a shot to short, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on C.J. Yespelkis’ sacrifice fly to left.

A pair of brilliant plays in the outfield kept the game close until the seventh. In the second, John Lambert’s laser to the plate cut down a Hamburg runner trying to score from second on a single. And in the fourth with bases loaded and two outs, Travis Price saved a sure three runs with an a-Mays-ing catch of a bomb to deep left made with his back to the plate. In the waning innings, Will Whitcomb’s repeated scoops at first prevented any notions of a Hamburg rally.

A Wayne rally in the seventh sealed the win. With one out, Taylor Smith doubled to left, then a McConlogue pop was dropped behind second. After stealing third, Smith scored when Ryan Dayton reached on an error by the Hamburg shortstop. Ryan Hammonds then drilled a single scoring McConlogue and Dayton, and allowing coaches and fans to breath easier. TDz

Norwin Ends Wolverine Streak, 7-4
May 29, 2004 -- Norwin scored in every inning but two to end a four game Wayne winning streak in the Unique Pretzel Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Wayne finished the preliminary round 1-1.

Entering the bottom of the first down 1-0, Wolverine hitters wasted no time as John Lambert walked, stole second, and later scored on a Jimmy McConlogue single. McConlogue advanced to third on a stolen base and wild pitch, and was driven in by starting pitcher Will Whitcomb on a ground out. Wayne made it 3-1 in the second when Mark Dziemianowicz was hit by a pitch (the first of four hit Wolverines), stole second, and scored on Andrew Rothstein’s double down the first base line.

After four unanswered Norwin runs, Wayne struck back in the fifth. With two outs, Ryan Hammonds was grazed by a pitch and C. J. Yespelkis singled. Andrew Rufo brought Hammonds in with a double to right, but the Wayne rally faltered when Travis Price’ fly to short left center was nabbed by the lunging Norwin left fielder.

Whitcomb and Hammonds shared the pitching duties, combining for 6 strikeouts and 5 walks. TDz

Dayton, McConlogue Lead Wolverines Over Reading, 4-2
May 28, 2004 -- Superb pitching from Ryan Dayton, clutch hits from Jimmy McConlogue and flawless fielding made the difference as the Wolverines edged host Reading 4-2 in their opener at the Unique Pretzel City Challenge on Friday night.

Showing no ill effects from the lights or the 9 p.m. start time, Dayton tossed a masterful 3 hit complete game. It was needed, as the Reading squad proved an equal match.
Wayne tallied in the first as John Lambert led off with a single, stole second, and was driven in on a line single by McConlogue. Reading tied it in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to right that Steven Mazanek (rf) and Robert Mallory turned into a closer play than anyone expected.

In the fifth the Wolverines took advantage of Reading miscues to manufacture three runs on a lone hit, and take the lead for good. Steven Mazanek was plunked in the back by a fastball to lead off the inning. Dayton grounded to short, but the Reading fielder failed to make the play, then Andrew Rothstein walked to load the bases. Taylor Smith’s smash again eluded the Reading shortstop, scoring Mazanek. Then McConlogue delivered his second clutch hit, a single that shot over the Reading third baseman into left, driving in what proved to be the winning runs. TDz

Haverford v. Wolverines 27May2004

Taylor Smith went 3-3 for a double, 3 runs scored, and an RBI to pace Wayne's 11-hit attack in a 6-3 win. The win was the first in Mainline Junior Legion League play for the Wolverines (4-4-1, 1-0). Smith pitched the final 3 innings, allowing only 2 hits and no earned runs, to pick up the save as well.

Offensively, the Wolverines were lead by Smith and Jordan Tetrick (2-3, double, 3 RBI's). John Lambert (2 runs), Jim McConlogue, Wills Wendel, Ryan Hammonds, CJ Yespelkis, and Ryan Dayton (double) also had hits for Wayne.

Mark Dziemianowicz picked up the win with one inning of scoreless relief. Jim McConlogue started the game, and allowed one run on 4 hits while striking out 5 in his three innings of work. CC

Wayne v. Whitemarsh 23May2004

The Wolverines combined solid pitching and timely hitting for their second triumph of the weekend, besting Whitemarsh 6-5 at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.

It was a see-saw affair that saw Whitemarsh twice pull ahead, only to have the Wolverines twice claw their way back, and eventually overcome them. Whitemarsh struck first off Wayne starter Ryan Hamonds in the second, when a runner snuck home while Wolverine fielders trapped another runner between first and second. Wayne matched that run in the fourth when John Lambert walked and Jimmy McConlogue stroked a double to the gap in right center.

Whitemarsh retaliated with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, most coming on a series of frustrating dribblers, bloopers and bunts. But Wayne showed their mettle coming right back in the top of the fifth. Wills Wendell lined a triple to right past a diving Whitemarsh fielder. Ryan Dayton was hit by a pitch and Will Whitcomb walked to load the bases. After Matt Smith hit into a fielder’s choice, CJ Yespelkis and Steven Mazanek drew RBI walks, then John Lambert laced a single to left, driving in the third and final Wolverine run of the inning.

After winning pitcher Will Whitcomb shut down Whitemarsh in the fifth, the Wolverines pulled ahead in the sixth. McConlogue smoked a triple to deep right, and was driven in on a line single by Jordan Tetrick. A Wendell single and passed ball moved Tetrick to third, and Dayton brought him home with a sacrifice fly.

Taylor Smith pitched the sixth and seventh to pick up the save. TDz

Plymouth v. Wayne Wolverines 22May2004

A trio of Wayne pitchers combined for a sparkling two hitter after an 8 run first inning sealed the first May win for the Wolverines.

Taylor Smith and Ryan Dayton held Plymouth hitless for five nearly flawless innings, and Jimmy McConlogue finished with a strong sixth and seventh, in an 8-2 victory at Villanova Stadium. The Wolverines devoured the Plymouth starter, batting 12 men in the first inning. McConlogue delivered the first big blow, a two run single. Taylor Smith used his two at bats in the first to good advantage, scoring once on a walk, and later driving in Steve Mazanek with a double. Wills Wendell and Matt Smith also had RBI hits, in a half frame that lasted more than 30 minutes.

In the first four innings, Plymouth hitters managed only one ball to the outfield, and recorded six infield pop ups. A rally in the sixth was cut short when McConlogue nabbed a shot back to the box, then struck out the final Plymouth batter.

John Lambert reached base on all four trips to the plate with a pair of walks and a pair of singles, but was stranded in the first , fourth and sixth as the Wolverine bats cooled off in the later innings, leaving 8 runners on base. TDz

Wissahickon v. Wayne Wolverines 16May2004

Wissahickon found a way out of the two-out, two-on jam in the bottom of the seventh to hold on to a 3-1 victory at Radnor HS on Sunday. The Wolverines were led by Jordan Tetrick, who went 3-3 (double, RBI) and displayed terrific defense in left field. Taylor Smith, Will Whitcomb, and Ryan Hammonds also had hits for Wayne.

The Wolverines again had solid efforts on the mound. Ryan Dayton and Jim McConlogue kept the Wissahickon attack to only 6 hits and 2 earned runs over 7 innings, while striking out 10. CC

Wayne Wolverines v. E. Norriton 15May2004

The Wolverines squeezed three runs out of just four hits, but it wasn’t nearly enough as East Norriton capitalized on Wayne miscues and a few clutch hits in an 11-3 loss on Saturday.

Down 2-0 in the second, Wayne loaded the bases on a Matt Smith bloop to center, Andrew Rufo’s line single, and a walk to Travis Price. Steven Mazanek was fooled by a two strike curve, but the ball eluded the EN catcher and Smith scampered in with the first Wolverine run as Mazanek made it safely to first.

An inning later it was déjà vu all over again. Responding to another pair of EN runs, the Wolverines mounted a two out rally as Robert Mallory took one for the team – a nasty fastball that drilled him on the left elbow. Mark Dziemianowicz fisted a single to short right, and a few pitches later he and Ryan Dayton (running for Mallory) moved up on a wild pitch. When John Lambert’s chopper up the middle skipped off the top of the second baseman’s glove, Dayton made it home to narrow the gap to 4-2.

The final Wayne run came in the sixth, again with 2 outs. Dziemianowicz led off with a walk, and advanced to third on two wild pitches, as John Lambert worked a walk, his second of the game. Andrew Rothstein followed with a single between the first baseman and the bag, knocking in Diz.

Though Wolverine fielders had more than their share of troubles, they also turned in a few defensive gems. Jordan Tetrick saved two runs with an outstanding catch on a deep drive to right with two men on in the fifth. Will Whitcomb cut down a runner at the plate after an unassisted putout in the third. And Ryan Dayton shut down EN in the sixth with a sparkling 1-2-3 inning, the first of the day for either side.

Sorry, no pictures. Mother's Day break.

Looking rusty from a two-week layoff, the Wolverine offense scratched out a lone hit, a fourth inning single by John Lambert, and managed just six baserunners overall. Solid pitching from Ryan Dayton and Jimmy McConologue kept the Wayne in the game until the sixth when T-E broke it open with three unearned runs.

The fifth had Wolverine rally written all over it when Jordan Tetrick drew a one out walk after McConologue was nabbed on a hard smash to third. With Will Whitcomb at the plate, Tetrick advanced to third on a stolen base and wild pitch, unsettling the T-E starter who then delivered his third walk of the game to Whitcomb. Both were stranded, though, as happened with Wayne runners in scoring position in the third and sixth.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Wolverine infield stopped T-E in its tracks with a nifty 6-4-3 double play, Mazanek to Hammonds to Whitcomb. TDz

Concord vs. Wayne Wolverines 24April2004

With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Ryan Hammonds drilled a 3-2 pitch into left-center field scoring Ryan Dayton, propelling the Wolverines (1-1-1) to their first win in 2004, a 5-4 victory over visiting Concord.

The rally started with a one-out double by Taylor Smith to right. Ryan Dayton pinch-ran for Smith, still ailing from an ankle injury. John Lambert walked, and Travis Price worked a 3-2 walk, loading the bases for Hammonds game winning hit. Hammonds single came after he battled back from an 0-2 count, fouling off several two-strike pitches.

Taylor Smith was the winning pitcher, tossing one inning of scoreless relief. Will Whitcomb drove in two runs (2B), and Travis Price knocked in one run. Ryan Dayton pitched four innings, allowing only one unearned run.

Whitemarsh v. Wayne Wolverines 18April2004

Plymouth v. Wayne Wolverines 17April2004