HORNETS BEGIN SPRING BREAK TRIP WITH A BIG WIN

Date Posted: Mar 30, 2010
Game Date: Mar 27, 2010

Score:
HORNETS: 7
JOHN CARROLL: 5

Playing on a replica field of the old Polo Grounds in New York, the Herndon High School baseball team began their spring training play with a 7-5 win over the John Carroll High School Patriots on Saturday (March 27) at the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach. Senior Nick Impellizzeri went 3 for 3 and pitched five innings as the Hornets improved to 2-1.

The game was closer than the final score as John Carroll, of Bel Air, Md., stroked 13 hits and had baserunners on in all but the fourth inning. The Patriots were a quality opponent who resembled a Concorde District team: big, strong and solid on offense and defense. The private Catholic school boasted a junior all-region shortstop who has verbally committed to the University of Maryland and a 2008 coach of the year and Baltimore Orioles associate scout who led his previous high school team to the state finals.

The Hornets could not stop the star shortstop, KJ Hockaday, until the key defensive play of the game. With Carroll trailing 7-4, Hockaday led off the top of the seventh with his fourth hit of the game, a double. Senior pitcher Paul Hvozdovic then threw to second baseman Dylan Garten to pick Hockaday off second, which was crucial as he would have scored on the next batter's double. The Hornets also ended a bases-loaded Patriots' threat in the sixth inning by catching baserunner Josh Brown in a rundown between third and home for the third out.

The Hornets banged out nine hits, three by Impellizzeri, who also scored three times. Seniors Daniel Shill and JJ McMann had two hits apiece. Sophomore Matt Smith continued his three-game hitting streak and added three RBIs. With two out and two runners on in the bottom of the first, Smiith smashed a hit that scored Connor McNichol and Impellizzeri.

Impellizzeri left after five innings and John Carroll leading 4-3. The Hornets rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth with hits by junior Matt Fehr, Impellizzeri, Shill and McMann. Shill and Hvozdovic finished the game for the Hornets.

The win was tempered by an ankle injury to Hornet junior Ben Simpson, who left the game after a collision at first base. Simpson, on crutches, made the team party Sunday at the Shill's beach house but returned to Herndon to rest the sprain. (Story by S. Fehr)

Photo caption: Senior Nick Impellizzeri led the Hornets to the win over John Carroll (Baltimore) in Myrtle Beach. (Photo by J. McNichol)