We Can Help - send in your old baseball gear

I received an email detailing the holiday needs of the soldiers protecting our freedoms abroad.  The email outlined a list of items that the soldiers requested to receive in care packages this holiday season - one item on the list stood out from the others;  the soldiers asked for used baseball equipment.  I have a bag of balls, quite a few bats and gloves that have been in the lost and found for years, and a few helmets to donate, but I thought that a collective effort could produce impressive results.  Please call or email me over the Thanksgiving break if you are interested in participating and I will set up a collection place and time this coming Saturday 11/24.  The collection will conclude over the weekend and be shipped on Monday 11/26.  Sorry for the short notice, but hopefully you can help.

Sign Up Now for Winter Baseball Camp

Blue Ridge Baseball will host camp again this Winter.  Anyone who is interested in participating in camp should sign up by visiting www.blueridgebaseball.net.  Camps will be every Saturday and will last for the 12 weeks leading up to Spring tryouts.  Camp opens December 1st and space is limited, so sign up now.

Small group hitting lessons will also be available at the Warrenton location, see Coach Koch for more information.

Conditioning Opens 10/30

All interested participants should report to room 121 after school on Tuesday October 30th.  Daily conditioning will last approximately an hour and will be held either at the field or in the weightroom.  The field and batting cage will also be open for  use following conditioning.  Dress appropriately for the weather.

Off Season Meeting 10/18/2007

Tomorrow(10/18/07) at 2:45 there will be a meeting for all baseball players in room 121. 

The meeting will cover the off season weightroom/conditioning program, the golf tournament on November 2nd, the Blue Ridge Baseball Winter Clinic, Team/Academic expectations for potential players, and other general information.

The meeting will conclude by 3:15.

Falcons 2 Stonewall Jackson 4

The Falcons season comes to rest this evening in a 4-2 defeat in the opening round of the Cedar Run playoffs.  The Falcons got a superb pitching performance from Cassidy McDaniel who threw the entire game surrendering zero earned runs.   The Falcons allowed four in the first on two errors and could not respond offensively.  The Falcons runs came on an RBI triple off the bat of Colin Miller which scored Tony Perez.  Miller scored later in the inning.  The team would like to thank our senior class for being such fine young men and making this difficult season enjoyable. 

Falcons(5-15) 2 Culpeper 5

The Falcons fall in the regular season finale.  The Falcons only managed four hits to support the Greg Ussery pitching outing which allowed five runs, four of them earned.  The Falcons travel for the opening round of the Cedar Run tournament and will face Stonwall at Stonewall on Thursday.  The Cedar Run tournament is single elimination and all games after Thursday will be held at Fauquier High School, the tournament host site.

Falcons (5-14) 1 Battlefield 0

Wow!  On Senior night the Falcons got it done, outlasting Battlefield in a 12 inning Cedar Run contest.  The Falcons were paced by superb pitching performances by Senior Branden Bartlett, throwing the first seven innings, and Senior Adam Young getting the win throwing the last five innings of the ball game.  The Falcons offense was held to 6 hits in the contest as Seniors Colin Miller(2), Branden Bartlett, Nick Caito, and Adam Young provided the offense.  The other hit came off of the bat of Andrew Byrd in the 12th.  Byrd's hit set the table for the game ending play in which Billy Pierce sacrifice bunted to the Catcher and the throw to first was errant, scoring Byrd on the play.

Falcons (4-14) 5 Osbourn Park 6

The Falcons lose another close one, unable to hold up a five run first inning.  Cassidy McDaniel took the mound for the Falcons surrendering 6 runs on 10 hits.  The Falcons host Battlefield Friday night at Athey Park where in the final home game of the regular season.  Friday will also be Senior night and the team will honor the graduating class with a brief pregame ceremony.

Falcons (4-13) 4 Liberty 5

The Falcons lost tonight to local rival Liberty.  The Falcons were held to 5 hits in the contest, one a home run from Cassidy McDaniel.  Adam Young and Greg Ussery pitched, allowing 3 earned runs, but the Falcons couldn't muster enough offense to support it.  The Falcons face OP at home on Tuesday in a Cedar Run contest.

Falcons (4-12) 4 Stonewall Jackson 5

The Falcons started with a bang on back to back home runs in the first by Branden Bartlett and Cassidy McDaniel, but were unable to keep the offensive pressure on throughout, resulting in another hard fought loss.  Branden Bartlett was effective in the start, and Greg Ussery kept the game in reach out of the bullpen.  The Falcons made a push in the 6th when McDaniel, Andrew Byrd and Nick Caito loaded the bases for Freshman Ryan Smith(2-3 on the night) who delivered with an RBI single.  That is where the scoring ended for the Falcons who face local rival Liberty High School Friday at Athey Memorial Ballpark at Fauquier High School.

Falcons (4-11) 1 Osbourn 3

The Falcons battled hard but came up short, unable to provide stronger run support behind an outstanding Cassidy McDaniel pitching outing.  McDaniel went the distance and was backed by a strong team defense performance.  The Falcons only run came in the third when freshman catcher Ryan Smith singled with one out.  That was followed by a base hits by Colin Miller and Branden Bartlett to load the bases.  The run came when Ryan Smith tagged and scored on a sacrifice fly by McDaniel.  But that would be it for the Falcons offense and the team falls to 1-5 in the Cedar Run.  The Falcons next matchup is Thursday at Stonewall Jackson. 

Falcons(4-10) 6 Culpeper 3

The Falcons stopped the skid Friday night, beating Culpeper 6-3 in a Cedar Run contest.  The pitching duties were handled by Greg Ussery, who earned the win with the help of a solid defensive performance behind him.  Cassidy McDaniel came on in the seventh to earn the save in the game.  The offense spark was provided by Nick Caito with 2 two-out RBI in the first and Branden Bartlett who was 3-3 with 3 RBI.  Cassidy McDaniel, Colin Miller and Ryan Smith also had hits in the game.  The Falcons host Osbourn Tuesday at Athey Ballpark at FHS. 

Falcons(3-10) 4 Oakton 5

The Falcons battled into extra innings, but came up short to Oakton in a non-district contest.  Adam Young provided a great start for the Falcons, going five innings allowing only one earned run.  The Falcons had timely offense and a solid defensive outing.  The Falcons host Culpeper in a Cedar Run contest Friday.

Falcons(3-9) 3 Osbourn Park 4

The falcons battled but came up short at OP tonight.  Cassidy McDaniel pitched very well, but the Falcons could not garner enough run support to hold off the four runs allowed.  The Falcons host Oakton High School tomorrow at Athey Ballpark at FHS.

Falcons(3-8) 1 Stonewall Jackson 6

The Falcons dropped another to fall to 0-3 in the Cedar Run. Adam Young started on the mound and was followed by Greg Ussery in relief.  Tuesday, the Falcons take on Osbourn Park in another Cedar Run matchup.

Falcons (3-7) 6 Battlefield 11

The Falcons fell again.  Tonight the team posted an early lead but could not hold off the Battlefield offense on a windy night in Haymarket.  Thursday night the Falcons open their home schedule with Stonewall Jackson.

Falcons(3-6) 5 West Geauga 9

The Falcons finished their Southern trip in a losing effort.  In his first start of the year Billy Pierce threw well, giving the Falcons a chance to win, but defensive miscues plagued the Falcons again.  The Falcons look to return to winning form on Tuesday when they travel to Battlefield High School in Haymarket to continue district play. 

Falcons(3-5) 15 Enderlin 0

The Falcons offense finally came alive with just about everyone making contributions.  On the mound, Cassidy McDaniel was exceptional in his return performance after his recent elbow injury.  He was followed by Greg Ussery who also pitched well.

Falcons(2-5) 0 RS Central 11

The Falcons fell badly in a game littered with defensive miscues. The Falcons look to rebound tomorrow as they continue in the Disney Spring Baseball Warmup.

Falcons(2-4) 1 St. Francis De Sales 7

The Falcons were one hit in the game, but did get a solid outing from Branden Bartlett in the start. The Falcons continue their Florida trip with a game against RS Central tomorrow.

Falcons(2-3) 15 Liberty 6

The Falcons managed a quality win against local rival Liberty High School in Bealeton.  Adam Young started on the mound going 5 innings allowing 6 runs, 1 earned.  He was followed by Branden Bartlett and Ethan Hawes, each allowing no runs on no hits in one inning of work.  The Falcons' offense came alive with quality performances by Colin Miller with 2 runs scored, Cassidy McDaniel, 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored, Nick Caito with 3 runs scored, Andrew Byrd, 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and Tony Perez, 2 for 4 with a run scored.  The Falcons depart Monday for Orlando Florida to participate in the Disney Spring Baseball Warmup.

Falcons(1-3) 5 Hylton 6

The Falcons came up short in a late rally, dropping their third game in a row.  The offense was slow to start, but came alive in the seventh with the first six hitters reaching base.  Hits by Nick Caito, Eric Russo and Ryan Smith, mixed with walks, allowed the Falcons to pull within one.  Branden Bartlett started on the mound for the Falcons and was followed Greg Ussery from the pen.  The Falcons travel to Bealeton to play local rival Liberty on Thursday. 

Falcons(1-2) 3 Osbourn 13

District opponent Osbourn beat the Falcons handily today.  The starter on the mound was Cassidy McDaniel who left the game prematurely with elbow soreness.  He was followed by Branden Bartlett and Adam Young.  The Falcons go to Hylton High School Friday for a non-district game. McDaniel hit a three-run homer in the first for the Falcons only runs on the day.

Falcons(1-1) 0 Forest Park 10

The Falcons took a beating at the hands of a strong Forest Park team today.  Adam Young started the game on the mound for the Falcons and took the loss.  He was followed by Greg Ussery and Billy Pierce out of the bullpen. The Falcons open district competition Monday at Osbourn High School.

Falcons(1-0) 4 Potomac 3

The Falcons held off a late rally by the Panthers to leave Potomac High School with a win in the season opener. Branden Bartlett led the team on the mound allowing only two hits and striking out seven through six innings.
Adam Young followed earning the save despite allowing two runs; he ended the game striking out the final hitter. The mound work was supported by a solid defensive performance all around. The offense was led by a 2-2 2 RBI performance by Cassidy McDaniel, Colin Miller added 2 Runs in a 1-3 day with a walk, Billy Pierce added a double, and Branden Bartlett was 1-3. The Falcons travel to Forest Park High School on Friday.

Falcons Struggle at James River

The Falcons suffered both offensively and defensively at top ranked James River on Saturday.  The Falcons allowed eight earned runs on the mound in the ten inning scrimmage and defensive breakdowns led to another nine unearned runs.  That matchup marked the end of the preaseason competitions, as this Friday the Falcons travel to Potomac High School to open the season.

Hylton/Liberty Scrimmage

The falcons demonstrated some much expected growing pains early in the first scrimmages of the year.  The day ended though with a positive feeling as the team defense got in sync and backed up strong pitching performances in the match up with rival Liberty.  In the two five inning practice games played on the football field in Bealeton, the falcons offense was provided by Billy Pierce, Andrew Byrd, Greg Ussery, Brandon Drerenberger, Chris Jeans, Cassidy McDaniel, Nick Caito, Colin Miller and Jim Lewis, each with one hit.   The team travels to James River next Saturday to complete the final preseason contest.  This is a location change from the schedule, due to field conditions at FHS Baseball Field.

First Scrimmage Coming Soon

The Falcons open the preseason with a three team scrimmage on the 3rd of March.  The team will play a 5 inning game against Hylton, followed by a 5 inning scrimmage against Liberty.  The scrimmage is scheduled at Liberty High School.

Preseason 2007

Welcome to the 2007 season!

There will be a meeting for anyone interested in trying out on Monday, February 12th, after school, in room 121. All tryout information will be covered at that time.

Tryouts open on February 19th. Anyone who would like to tryout must have a current physical form to participate. Please deliver physical forms to Coach Downes in the training room.

Please visit www.falconzone.org