2013 Pope Baseball – Varsity Game Summaries

2013 State Playoffs – Round 5 / Championship Series5/25/13 Greenbrier vs. PopeGame 2 Final: Pope 15, Greenbrier 5 (5 innings)

Pope Sends 18 Batters to Plate in 4th Inning to Seal AAAAA State Championship in 15-5 Win

After relying on extra inning heroics in the opening game of the state finals, Pope used a dominating hitting performance to crush Greenbrier 15-5 and earn the AAAAA state championship before a huge home crowd.

Pope fell behind 2-0 in the first inning on a homer by Greenbrier, and then came back in the second to tie the game. Johnny Flading started the inning off with a single to left field, and Wes Smith walked. Brett Lyle laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over, and Jacob Culberson’s fielder’s choice pushed the first run across. Jared Parker then hit a grounder to second base that was misplayed and tied the game 2-2.

In the second inning, pitcher Patrick Wiseman stranded two base runners, using a strikeout and strong defensive plays behind him from third baseman Nathaniel Lowe and left fielder Carl Williams. In the third inning, shortstop Flading made two putouts to stop a scoring threat as Pope fell behind 3-2.

In the fourth inning, the Greyhounds secured their state championship with a relentless offensive inning in which it sent 18 batters to the plate and took a 15-3 lead. All nine batters hit twice in the inning. Flading led off with a single and Smith walked. Lyle followed with an RBI single to tie the game 3-3. After Culberson walked, Parker also walked to force in a run. Mason Shiflett followed with a single to

drive in a run, and Wiseman crushed a two-run double to centerfield to push the score to 7-3. Lowe doubled off the centerfield fence to plate another run, and Stephen Skruck doubled to right field to put runners at second and third.

Flading started the second time through the batting order by reaching on an error by the Greenbrier third baseman, which loaded the bases. Smith singled to right field to increase the lead to 9-3, and Lyle’s single to right field sent another run home. Culberson stroked a two-run single to left field to move the score to 12-3, and Lyle later scored on a passed ball. Shiflett’s single to left stretched the lead to 14-3, and Wiseman’s double off the left field fence brought home pinch runner Harrison Siegal and finished the scoring, with the Greyhounds up 15-3.

Jacob Ramos came on in relief in the fifth inning and closed the door on Greenbrier, with the game ending 15-5 by run rule. After getting a fly out to Parker in right field and then a 1-3 putout after fielding a bunt and firing to first for the second out of the inning, Ramos induced a ground ball down the first base line. Wiseman made the unassisted putout at first for the third out, and Pope had its state championship as Greyhound students poured onto the field and over the outfield fence to celebrate the victory.

Pope finishes its championship season with a 28-11 record and series wins in each of the 5 playoff rounds – the top team of the 32 who began the playoffs. Coach Jeff Rowland and his staff earn the school’s second state championship since 2009.

For pictures from the Pope / Greenbrier championship series, click here.

2013 State Playoffs – Round 5 / Championship Series5/25/13 Greenbrier vs. PopeGame 1 Final: Pope 11, Greenbrier 7 (8 innings)

Lowe’s Walk-off Grand Slam Gives Pope Dramatic Win in Game 1 of AAAAA State Championship Series

Down to its last out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Pope turned to its slugger Nathaniel Lowe in game 1 of the state finals, and as he has all season, Lowe delivered. With the score tied 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Greenbrier opted to intentionally load the bases in order to get a force out at any base. Lowe responded by crushing a 2-0 pitch far over the right centerfield fence, giving the Greyhounds an 11-7 victory and a 1-0 lead in the best of 3 state finals.

Pope opened the championship series locked in a close game, as starting pitcher Braden Zarbnisky surrendered only one run through the first four innings, highlighted by striking out two Wolfpack hitters in the first inning and stranding two base runners.

The Greyhounds remained down 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning, when they used three hits to take a 2-1 lead. Patrick Wiseman opened the inning with a walk, and Lowe followed with a hard single to centerfield to put runners at first and second base. Greenbrier answered with a solid double play that

left Lowe on second, but Johnny Flading brought him home with an RBI single to centerfield that tied the game 1-1. After Flading took second on the throw home, Wes Smith delivered an RBI single to right field to give Pope the lead.

In the fifth inning, Greenbrier took a 5-2 lead on two hits and several defensive miscues by the Greyhounds. Zarbnisky did not rattle, allowing only one earned run and notching two key strikeouts to end the inning.

Still down 5-2, Pope turned to freshman pitcher Joshua Lowe in the sixth inning to hold the game, and he answered with a groundout and two strikeouts. In the seventh inning, he struck out two more batters, setting the stage for the Greyhounds to rally in their final at bat.

The seventh inning turned out to be the most unusual inning of the entire season for the Greyhounds. Smith opened the inning with a single to right field, and Brett Lyle followed by reaching on an error by the Greenbrier shortstop to put runners at first and second. Jacob Culberson was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and after confronting the umpire on the call, the Wolfpack pitcher was ejected. After a new pitcher entered the game, Jared Parker hammered a line drive that was caught on a diving stab by the centerfielder. Pinch runner Harrison Siegal came home on what appeared to be an obvious sacrifice fly, but Greenbrier appealed and Siegal was called out for leaving early.

With two outs and runners on first and second, Pope’s hitters remained aggressive. Mason Shiflett brought a run home with a hard single to right field that took the score to 5-3. Wiseman followed with a single to centerfield that the defender bobbled, allowing both Culberson and Shiflett to score and tie the game. After Lowe was intentionally walked, Stephen Skruck hammered a long fly to deep left field that the Greenbrier defender tracked down at the wall to close the inning.

In the top of the eighth inning, Greenbrier took a 7-5 lead as Cameron Allison came on in relief of Lowe and struck out one and received help from Skruck in left field, who threw out a runner at home to end the inning.

In the final inning, Pope came down to its final out before rallying to win the game. With one out, Smith singled to right field and pinch runner Siegal then took second on a ground out. Culberson lined an 0-2 pitch to centerfield to score Siegal and bring Pope within one run at a 7-6 score. Parker slapped a high bouncing single to third base that the Greenbrier defender lost in the sun, putting runners at first and third. Shiflett then tied the game with a double to right field that brought Culberson home and set the stage for Lowe’s dramatic game-winning homer.

Pope put up 12 hits in the win, as Smith lead the way with 3 hits and Lowe, Shiflett, and Parker each had 2 hits. The win advanced Pope’s season record to 27-11.

2013 State Playoffs – Round 4 / Final 45/21/13 Starr’s Mill vs. PopeFinal: Pope 7, Starr’s Mill 6 (8 innings)

Game-Winning Double from Lowe Delivers Pope to AAAAA State Championship Series

Led by Nathaniel Lowe’s game-winning double in the bottom of the eighth inning, Pope overcame a strong Starr’s Mill team in the deciding game of the semifinals of the state playoffs Tuesday night. With the come from behind win, the Greyhounds play for the AAAAA state title beginning on Saturday 5/25 against Greenbrier. All games in the best of 3 championship series will take place on Pope’s home field.

Pope used 12 hits from its offense, clutch defense from the entire team, 5 strong innings from starter Lowe, and key relief work from Cameron Allison and Braden Zarbnisky to seal the victory.

Inning 1The Panthers opened the top of the first inning on two infield singles before Jacob Culberson ran down a fly out in center field and Mason Shiflett speared a line drive at second base. After Starr’s Mill pushed a run across on a single to center and took a 1-0 lead, Pope squashed the rally on the same play using an 8-5-4 put out as Culberson threw to Brett Lyle at third base, who fired back to Shiflett at second to catch the hitter trying to advance.

In the bottom of the first, Patrick Wiseman singled to right field but was stranded there in a quick inning.

Inning 2In the second inning, Lowe quickly set down the Panthers, striking out one. In the bottom of the inning, Pope grabbed a 2-1 lead. Johnny Flading led off the inning by reaching on an error by the Starr’s Mill third baseman, and catcher Wes Smith followed with a bloop single over first to put runners at the corners. Culberson then knocked in Flading on an infield single. Right fielder Jared Parker followed with a perfect bunt single to load the bases, and Shiflett’s fielder’s choice pushed across a run from pinch runner Harrison Siegal.

Inning 3In the third inning, Lowe continued to quickly set down the Panthers as he got two putouts from Flading at shortstop and one from Shiflett at second base. In the bottom of the inning, the Greyhounds added to their lead. Lowe led off with a walk, and first baseman Stephen Skruck smoked a double to left field to put runners at the corners. Smith then knocked in both runners with a single over third base to give Pope the 4-1 advantage.

Inning 4In the fourth inning, Lowe caught two Panther hitters looking for called third strikes. After walking a batter, Lowe then picked off the runner at first base, throwing to Skruck who threw to Flading to tag out the runner on a 1-3-6 putout. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Wiseman singled to centerfield but was stranded there.

Inning 5In the fifth inning, Pope opened strongly as Flading ranged far to his left at shortstop to field a ground ball and throw out the runner at first base. After hitting a batter, Lowe induced a ground ball to Lyle at third, who fielded and threw to Skruck for the second out of the inning. Starr’s Mill followed with a walk and back to back singles to make the score 4-3. Left fielder Carl Williams ended the inning when he caught a long fly ball for the final out.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Skruck hammered another ball for a single and took second on a sacrifice bunt from Flading. The Greyhounds soon loaded the bases but were unable to plate any runs.

Inning 6In the sixth inning, lefty Cameron Allison came on in relief of Lowe and effectively set down the Panthers, striking out one and benefitting from a nice running catch in right field by Parker for the second out before Shiflett fielded a grounder and threw to first to end the inning.

In the bottom of the inning, Shiflett led off with an infield single, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Lowe singled him home to give Pope the 5-3 lead heading into the Panthers’ final at bat.

Inning 7In the seventh inning, Allison returned for his second inning of work. Starr’s Mill would not give up easily and used two singles, a hit batter, and a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 5-5. Allison then buckled down and fired strikes past the last two batters of the inning to send Pope to the plate with a chance to

win the game in its final at bat. However the Greyhounds squandered Smith’s leadoff walk and failed to score, sending the game into extra innings.

Inning 8After a 30 minute lightning delay, Zarbnisky took the hill in the tie game. When the first two Panther hitters reached base on a single and an error, Zarbnisky got the first batter on a ground out to Lyle, and followed with a strike out. After a balk sent the runners forward a base and gave Starr’s Mill a 6-5 advantage, Zarbnisky held the line and closed out the inning when Parker tracked down a fly ball to right field.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Parker led off the inning with a ground ball to shortstop. Hustling all the way, he was safe at first base when the throw was low and the Starr’s Mill first baseman couldn’t handle the ball. Parker quickly took second on a wild pitch, and then he took third base on a fielder’s choice from Shiflett. With the chance to tie the game, Wiseman fouled off multiple pitches before he scorched a single past the drawn-in second baseman to knot the score at 6-6.

Lowe stepped in and jumped on the first pitch he saw, crushing a double over the left fielder’s head as Wiseman rounded the bases and was waved home. Starr’s Mill got the ball in and relayed it to the catcher, but he bobbled the ball as Wiseman slid safely into home to score the winning run as the crowd loudly celebrated the victory.

The thrilling team win advances Pope’s season record to 26-11, and the Greyhounds enter the AAAAA championship series against Greenbrier in a double header Saturday at home. The first game begins at 3pm, with the second game scheduled for 5:30pm. If needed, the third game will be Monday 5/27 at 3pm. The winner will earn the AAAAA state championship.

For pictures from the Pope / Starr’s Mill deciding game, click here.

2013 Pope Baseball – Varsity Game Summaries

2013 State Playoffs – Round 4 / Final 45/20/13 Starr’s Mill vs. Pope (DH)Finals: Starr’s Mill 14, Pope 0 (game 1); Pope 9, Starr’s Mill 7 (game 2)

Pope Falls to Starr’s Mill in Game 1; Lowe HR, Ramos Strong as Closer Help Pope Win Game 2 to Force Deciding Game 3

Pope hosted Starr’s Mill in the semifinals of the state playoffs Monday night and fell in Game 1 before winning 9-7 in game 2 to set up a deciding game 3 Tuesday night. The winner will advance to the championship series and play for the AAAAA state title.

Game 1 – Starr’s Mill 14, Pope 0Starr’s Mill used 13 hits and 3 Pope errors to beat the Greyhounds 14-0 in the opening game of the semifinal series. Locked in a scoreless tie after the first inning, the Panthers used a big second inning to take the lead and did not look back.

Pope received hits from Mason Shiflett, Johnny Flading, and Patrick Wiseman, and defensively left fielder Carl Williams ran down a long blast at the fence. On the mound in relief, sophomore Joshua Lowe shut down a bases-loaded rally in the third inning by getting a double play from Shiflett. Tyler Liedberg, also a sophomore, came on in the fifth inning with runners at the corners and got a fly out to right field and then struck out two Starr’s Mill hitters to end the rally.

Game 2 – Pope 9, Starr’s Mill 7

The Greyhounds put the early loss behind them and stormed back in the nightcap, relying on 5+ innings of powerful pitching from Wiseman to win 9-7. Pope batters collected 11 hits in the victory and the team played strong defensively throughout the game. Sophomore Jacob Ramos worked very effectively in the sixth and seventh innings and earned the save.

The game opened with an infield single from Shiflett and then Wiseman reached when he was hit by a pitch. Starr’s Mill answered with a double play and later stranded three Pope base runners. In the bottom of the first, third baseman Nathaniel Lowe started a 5-4-3 double play, then gloved a hard grounder and fired to first base to close the inning.

In the bottom of the second inning catcher Wes Smith fired to second to catch a Panther base runner attempting to steal second.

Pope opened the third inning with a single to centerfield from Wiseman, and then Lowe was hit by a pitch. With runners at first and second, shortstop Johnny Flading lined a double to right field to score pinch runner Harrison Siegal. Smith stepped in next and lined a 2-run single to centerfield that scored

Lowe and Flading and gave Pope the 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Starr’s Mill had runners on first and second when Lowe made a diving snag of a hard line drive at third base to end the inning.

In the fourth inning, Pope sent 11 batters to the plate and extended its lead to 9-0. Shiflett opened the inning with a single, and Wiseman then reached on a Panther error. Lowe stepped in next and blasted a towering home run to left centerfield to give Pope a 6-0 lead. First baseman Stephen Skruck batted next and crushed a double to centerfield, and Smith and Brett Lyle followed with walks to load the bases. Jared Parker lined a single to left field to plate Skruck and make the lead 7-0, and Shiflett followed with a two run single to left field that scored pinch runner Logan Taylor and Lyle to give the Greyhounds a nine run lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, outfielders Jacob Culberson and Williams snagged fly balls to strand two Starr’s Mill base runners. In the fifth inning, Wiseman surrendered a hit and a hit batter but stopped the potential rally with a pair of strikeouts.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Starr’s Mill rallied and moved the score to 9-3. Parker made two strong plays on singles to right field, firing the ball in twice to prevent runners from advancing. As the Panthers closed the game to within two runs with the score 9-7 and two outs, the Greyhounds called on Ramos to stop a big rally, and he delivered by getting a ground ball up the middle which he fielded and fired to Skruck at first, who dug the throw out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Shiflett got the first out when he gloved a hard line drive that short-hopped him, and he fired to first to get the runner. Ramos followed with a strikeout of the second hitter, catching the batter looking on a nasty curveball, and he closed the game and sealed the win for Wiseman when he fielded a ground ball and threw to first to get the final out.

With the split, Pope moves its season record to 25-11, and plays Tuesday night at 5:30pm at home in the deciding game 3 against Starr’s Mill. The winner advances to the AAAAA championship series.

For pictures from the Pope / Starr’s Mill DH, click here.

2013 State Playoffs – Round 3 Elite 85/15/13 Evans vs. PopeFinal: Pope 12, Evans 2 (5 innings)

Lyle’s 2-Run Walk-off Homer Takes Pope to Final Four

Squaring off with Evans in a deciding game 3 and the chance to move to the semi-finals in the state playoffs, Pope put up 12 unanswered runs to dominate Evans and move into the Final Four. After getting 5 effective innings on the mound from Nathaniel Lowe, Brett Lyle sealed the win with a dramatic walk-off 2-run home run down the left field line and the celebration began.

Inning 1The Knights manufactured a run on several walks and a single, but putouts by Carl Williams, Mason Shiflett, and Jacob Culberson ended the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Pope had Shiflett and Stephen Skruck on base, who each reached on walks, but could not push a run across.

Inning 2In the second inning, Evans added only one run in spite of getting two extra-base hits. A key defensive play for the Greyhounds came when a runner attempted to score from third and was gunned down at the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Pope again put two runners on base on singles by Lyle and Jared Parker but failed to score.

Inning 3Evans opened the third inning with a double to right field and Lowe then got three quick outs from his defense on a fly out to Culberson in centerfield, a ground out to Shiflett at second base, and a ground out to Johnny Flading at shortstop.

In the bottom of the third, the Greyhounds took the lead for good. Patrick Wiseman opened the inning with a stand-up double to deep centerfield, and Lowe followed with a walk to put runners at first and second. The runners moved forward on a passed ball, and then another passed ball scored Wiseman. Flading then singled home pinch runner Harrison Siegal to tie the score 2-2. After a pitching change, Wes Smith walked, and Jacob Culberson’s hard single scored Flading to give Pope the 3-2 lead

Inning 4The Knights opened the inning by putting a runner on base on a base on balls, but Smith then gunned down the runner as he attempted to steal second. Culberson retired the second batter on a fly out before Lowe fired a strike out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the inning the Greyhounds added 5 runs. Shiflett led off with an infield single, beating out a throw to first after drilling a hard grounder to third. Wiseman followed with a ground ball to the third baseman, who threw to second but no defender covered the throw. With runners on first and second, Lowe singled to load the bases, and Skruck hammered a stand-up double to push two runs home and stretch the lead to 5-2. Smith then brought home another run on a sacrifice fly to move the

score to 6-2, and Lyle reached on an error by the shortstop which allowed Pope to score again. Culberson finished the inning’s scoring by knocking in another run on a single and the Greyhounds had a commanding 8-2 lead.

Inning 5Working with a big lead, Lowe went directly after the Knights, getting two quick fly outs to Williams in left field. After an Evans batter doubled to left, Lowe retired the fourth hitter of the inning when he fielded a grounder back up the middle and threw the runner out at first base.

In the bottom of the inning, Lowe singled and advanced to second base on another error by Evans. Skruck followed with a walk to put runners at first and second, with the runners quickly advancing a base on a ground out by Flading. Smith ripped a single to bring both runners home and extend Pope’s lead to 10-2. Lyle stepped to the plate next and hit a 2-run home run to end the game by run rule and advance Pope to the semi-finals of the state playoffs.

Pope’s season record moves to 24-10 with the exciting win, and the Greyhounds host Starr’s Mill Monday 5/20/13 in a doubleheader at 4:30pm.

For pictures from the Pope / Evans game 3, click here.

2013 State Playoffs – Round 3 Elite 85/14/13 Evans vs. Pope (DH)Finals: Pope 10, Evans 2 (game 1); Evans 11, Pope 6 (game 2)

Pope Splits Double-Header with Evans; Winner of Game 3 to Advance

Pope hosted Evans in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs Tuesday night and took a decisive 10-2 win in game 1 on a strong starting effort from pitcher Patrick Wiseman. The Greyhounds later lost 11-6 in the nightcap to set up a winner take-all game 3.

Game 1 – Pope 10, Evans 2Pope won game 1 of the best of three series behind 5 scoreless innings from Wiseman, who struck out 6.

The Knights threatened early, putting runners at second and third on a walk, error, and single before Wiseman bore down and struck out two batters and left fielder Carl Williams snagged a fly ball to end the first inning.

In the top of the second inning, second baseman Mason Shiflett ended a scoring opportunity when he ranged far to his left to nail a runner at first on a hard groundball. In the bottom of the inning, the Greyhounds sent 9 batters to the plate and bolted to a 3-0 lead that they would not surrender. Key hits came from Shiflett, who hit a 2-run single, and Wiseman, whose RBI-single to left scored Shiflett.

Pope added a run in the third inning on a double by Jacob Culberson that scored Logan Taylor, pinch running for Wes Smith who reached on an error by the Evans right fielder. In the bottom of the inning, Wiseman struck out the side after allowing a double to open the inning.

In the fourth inning the Greyhounds put the game out of reach, sending 9 more batters to the plate and stretching the lead to 8-0 on a bases-loaded walk by Johnny Flading, a single by Smith, and a sacrifice fly from Jared Parker. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Pope took a 9-0 lead on a monster home run from Nathaniel Lowe, who blasted the ball far over the centerfield fence. The Greyhounds added 2 more runs in the sixth inning after a double by Harrison Siegal and an error by the Evans defense.

Joe Arcieri came on in the seventh inning to finish the game and coaxed three fly balls from Evans, as Pope finished the game 10-2. The Greyhounds scored 10 runs on 8 hits, aided by 3 errors from Evans.

Game 2 – Evans 11, Pope 6

Pope fell behind early and lost the second game of the evening 11-6.

The Greyhounds made the game interesting when they sent 11 batters to the plate and closed the gap to 9-6 in the fifth inning. The inning began with a walk to Wiseman followed by a ground-rule double by Lowe. Stephen Skruck brought both runners home with a single to left to move the score to 9-3. After Flading, Smith, and Culberson walked, Shiflett hit a 2-run double to right field to make the score 9-6.

The Greyhounds would get no closer, and the game ended with Evans on top 11-6.

Sophomore pitcher Jacob Ramos worked two excellent innings in relief, striking out two. Defensive highlights in the game for Pope included an unassisted double play at first base by Wiseman and an outstanding diving snare of a line drive at second base by Shiflett.

Pope’s season record moves to 23-10 with the split. The Greyhounds host Evans Wednesday night at 4:30pm with the chance to advance to the Final Four.

For pictures from the Pope / Evans DH, click here.

2013 State Playoffs – Round 2 Sweet 165/10/13 Winder-Barrow vs. PopeFinal: Pope 6, Winder-Barrow 5 (8 innings)

Skruck Doubles Pope into Elite Eight in AAAAA State Playoffs

Locked in an extra-inning game with Winder-Barrow Friday night, Pope ensured its post-season would continue when Stephen Skruck drilled a long double to centerfield that scored Nathaniel Lowe from first base and propelled the Greyhounds into the quarterfinals of the AAAAA state playoffs.

The series-clinching hit came in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs. With Lowe carefully eyeing each pitch and ahead 3-0 in the count, Winder chose to intentionally walk him to pitch to Skruck. Facing Winder’s top pitcher for the third time in the game, Skruck hammered a fast ball to centerfield and Lowe sprinted around the bases before he was waived home and slid head-first into the plate, beating the tag and sealing the dramatic victory. Pope players and fans erupted as the safe call was made at the plate.

The deciding game in the best of three series was a complete team victory for the Greyhounds.

Down 2-0 after Winder took the lead in the first inning, Pope pushed 3 runs across in the third inning. Wes Smith began the rally with a single to left field, and Brett Lyle reached when his hard line drive to left was dropped by the diving outfielder. After Jacob Culberson walked to load the bases, Jared Parker smoked a long double to right field to tie the game 2-2, scoring pinch runner Logan Taylor and Lyle. Mason Shiflett followed with a fielder’s choice to score Culberson and give the Greyhounds the 3-2 lead.

Pope stretched the lead to 5-2 in the fourth inning. Culberson led off with a single and Parker followed with a bunt single, with Culberson coming around to score on a throwing error. Patrick Wiseman singled to put runners at the corners, and Lowe lined a double to centerfield to stretch the lead to 5-2.

Starting pitcher Lowe gave Pope five strong innings on the hill, leaving with a 5-4 lead and 6 strikeouts. Shiflett ended the fifth for the Greyhounds with a diving catch on a hard hit ball up the middle.

Chip Mattiford threw a strong sixth inning, including picking off a Winder runner. In the seventh inning, Chris Habla came on in relief with the bases loaded. After the tying run scored on a wild pitch, Habla retired the heart of the order with two key strikeouts to hold the game at 5-5.

Braden Zarbnisky gave up a double to left field to open the eighth inning and then took care of the scoring threat when he fielded a bunt attempt and fired to third to nail the runner attempting to advance. He followed that with two key strikeouts, getting both Winder hitters looking and setting the stage for the thrilling win in the bottom of the inning.

With the win Pope moves its season record to 22-9 and faces Evans in the quarterfinal matchup in a doubleheader at home on Tuesday. Game times are not yet determined.

For pictures from the Pope / Winder-Barrow deciding game, click here.

2013 State Playoffs – Round 25/9/13 Winder-Barrow vs. Pope (DH)Finals: Pope 10, Winder-Barrow 9 (game 1); Winder-Barrow 10, Pope 6 (game 2)

Pope Splits With Winder-Barrow in Round 2 Matchup in State Playoffs

Hosting Winder-Barrow in a doubleheader Thursday night, Pope pulled off an exciting win in its final at bat to win game one 10-9 on an RBI single to left field by Nathaniel Lowe that scored Mason Shiflett from second base. In the nightcap, Pope lost 10-6 to force a rubber game Friday night at 6pm, with the winner advancing to the third round of the playoffs.

Game 1 – Pope 10, Winder-Barrow 9The Greyhounds won the first game 10-9 behind a stellar hitting performance from Lowe, who went 3 for 3 in the game with two doubles, two walks, and two RBI’s, including the game winning RBI.

Pope jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after Lowe drilled a double to right field to bring home Patrick Wiseman, who had also reached on a double. After falling behind 2-1, Pope tied the score in the second inning on singles from Brett Lyle and Jared Parker before Shiflett brought Lyle home with another single.

In the third inning the Greyhounds took a 3-2 lead on a double by Lowe and an error by the Winder third baseman on a hard liner from Wes Smith. After Winder retook the lead 7-3, Pope manufactured two runs in the fourth on a single by Wiseman, a bases-loaded walk by Stephen Skruck, and a subsequent passed ball to bring the score to 7-5. The Greyhounds added another run in the fifth inning on a single by Smith, stolen base by pinch runner Harrison Siegal, and then an RBI single to centerfield from Parker.

After Winder stretched its lead to 9-6 in the top of the sixth inning, Pope stormed back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Wiseman led off with a double off the centerfield fence. Lowe then walked, and Skruck singled to load the bases. Siegal drew a bases loaded walk to score a run, and then Smith’s sacrifice fly to right field brought the Greyhounds within one run with the score 9-8. Lyle stepped in next and hit what appeared to be a go-ahead homer but the Winder left fielder reached over the fence to make the catch. Jacob Culberson batted next and delivered a hard single to centerfield to tie the game 9-9.

After Cameron Allison quickly set down Winder in the top of the seventh inning, Pope won the game on an infield single by Shiflett and a walk to Wiseman before Lowe struck the game winning hit.

Allison took the mound in the fourth inning in relief of starter Skruck and earned the win, working 3 1/3 effective innings to keep the Greyhounds in the game. Wiseman and Lowe led a 14-hit attack by the Greyhounds with 3 hits each.

Game 2 – Winder-Barrow 10, Pope 6Pope lost the second game of the night 10-6 as Winder-Barrow opened a close game with a big fifth inning to put the game out of reach.

The Greyhounds batted first and took a quick 1-0 lead, as Shiflett led the game off with a double to left field and Lowe singled him home. Starting pitcher Wiseman struck out 2 in the bottom of the first inning but Winder plated 2 runs in the second on 2 hits.

In the third, Pope tied the game 2-2 when Lowe crushed a long home run to right field. The score remained tied until the fourth inning, when Winder used 2 hits and a Greyhound error to take a 4-2 advantage. In the fifth inning, Winder added six runs to take a 10-2 lead.

After relief pitcher Chip Mattiford worked a solid inning in relief in the sixth inning, Pope made the game interesting in its final at bat. The Greyhounds used singles from Smith, Shiflett, and Michael Chiara, plus a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Culberson on a near grand slam to rally for 3 runs before falling 10-6.

Shiflett and Smith led a 13-hit effort for the Greyhounds with 3 hits each, and Lowe and Skruck added 2 hits apiece. Pope’s season record moves to 21-9 with the split.

Pope hosts Winder-Barrow Friday night at 6pm with the chance to advance to the Elite Eight.

For pictures from the Pope / Winder-Barrow series, click here.

2013 State Playoffs – Round 15/3/13 Arabia Mountain vs. Pope (DH)Finals: Pope 7, Arabia Mountain 1 (game 1); Pope 11, Arabia Mountain 5 (game 2)

Pope Sweeps Arabia Mountain in 2 Games to Advance to Sweet 16 in State Playoffs

Pope swept Arabia Mountain Friday night in 2 games to advance to the second round in the AAAAA state playoffs. The Greyhounds used strong starting pitching performances from Patrick Wiseman and Stephen Skruck, and a total of 18 runs on 26 hits to win both games decisively.

Game 1 – Pope 7, Arabia Mountain 1The Greyhounds won the first game 7-1 behind a solid pitching performance from starter Wiseman and reliever Braden Zarbnisky. Wiseman struck out 5 in 5 innings of work, surrendering an unearned run and scattering 5 hits. Zarbnisky struck out 4 batters in 2 innings in relief and stranded two runners in each inning, closing the game by getting a tailing fly ball to right center that Jacob Culberson ran down with to seal the victory.

Pope put 5 runs on the board in the first inning on 7 hits. Leadoff hitter Mason Shiflett started the game by legging out an infield single, and Nathaniel Lowe later singled to put runners at the corners. Skruck followed with a double to plate both runs and give Pope the 2-1 lead. Johnny Flading doubled Skruck home for a 3-1 lead, and Brett Lyle brought him home with a single to center field. Culberson hit a flare to right field to put runners at the corners again, and Jared Parker singled up the middle to extend the lead to 5-1.

The Greyhounds added 2 more runs in the second inning. Lowe led off the inning with a double to right field, and Skruck hit an infield single to put runners on first and third. Wes Smith’s fielder’s choice scored Lowe and gave Pope a 6-1 advantage. Lyle followed with a walk, and then got into a rundown that allowed Skruck to score.

With a six run advantage after two innings, Wiseman and Zarbnisky combined to give Pope the opening game in the best of three series. It was Pope’s 19th win of the season.

The Greyhounds hit the ball hard throughout the game, putting up 12 hits. Lowe led the way with 3 hits, and Skruck and Culberson had 2 each.

Game 2 – Pope 11, Arabia Mountain 5Pope swept the Rams with an 11-5 victory in the nightcap on 14 base hits from the offense and 11 strikeouts in a dominating pitching outing from Skruck.

The Greyhounds batted first and took a quick 5-0 lead on 4 hits and 4 errors by the Rams’ defense. Shiflett led off the game by reaching on an error. Patrick Wiseman followed with a single to right field that was then misplayed to plate one run and put Wiseman at third. Lowe walked to put runners at the

corners, and Skruck doubled to right field to bring both runners home and give Pope a 3-0 lead. Flading reached on an error, and Smith later singled pinch runner Harrison Siegal and Flading home for the 5-0 advantage.

The Rams put 3 runs up in the bottom of the second inning to draw the game closer, but Pope added a run in third inning on a single by Smith and an RBI single to centerfield by Culberson. The Greyhounds held on to their 6-3 lead until the sixth inning, when they plated two more runs.

Shiflett led off the inning with another infield single and then took second on a sacrifice bunt from Lyle. Lowe sent a long double to right field to score Shiflett, and Skruck hit a towering double to deep center field to score Lowe and move the score to 8-3.

Skruck ended his night on the mound after 5 innings, striking out 11 and giving up only 3 runs. Cameron Allison came on and quickly closed out the sixth inning, getting a strike out.

Pope added 3 more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Culberson started the inning with a single, and Parker doubled. The Greyhounds then used 3 successive walks from Arabia Mountain to take a 10-3 lead before pinch hitter Michael Chiara singled home the final run.

With the 11-3 lead, Chris Habla came on to finish the game and, after two unearned runs scored, he bore down and got three straight fly outs to finish the game and take the Greyhounds on to the second round of the playoffs.

Pope’s 14-hit attack was led by Skruck and Culberson, who each had 3 hits. Smith and Lowe added 2 hits apiece. Pope’s season record moves to 20-8 with the win.

The Greyhounds play at home Wednesday 5/8/13 against the winner of the Winder-Barrow / South Paulding matchup.

For pictures from the Pope / Arabia Mountain series, click here.

4/25/13 Sequoyah vs. PopeFinal: Pope 6, Sequoyah 2

Pope Wins Region Championship Behind 13 K’s from Wiseman, HR’s from Lowe and Flading

Honoring its 6 senior players on Senior Night, Pope entered the final game of the regular season Thursday evening with the opportunity to seal the Region 7-AAAAA championship. The Greyhounds delivered, beating Sequoyah 6-2 in a hard-won game on the strength of 13 strikeouts on the mound from Patrick Wiseman and home runs by Nathaniel Lowe and Johnny Flading.

Wiseman opened the game by striking out three batters in a row after Sequoyah placed two runners on base with no outs. In the bottom of the first inning, Lowe blasted a long home run to left centerfield to give Pope a 1-0 lead. In the second inning, the Chiefs tied the game 1-1 but Wiseman notched three more strikeouts, and he added two more in the top of the third inning.

In the bottom of the third inning the Greyhounds took a 3-1 as they manufactured two runs. Jared Parker started the inning off with a bunt single to the third base side of the infield. Wiseman, Lowe, and Stephen Skruck followed with walks, with Skruck’s base on balls sending Parker home with the go-ahead run. Flading batted next and hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score pinch runner Harrison Siegal and stretch the lead to 3-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, Wiseman struck out two more Sequoyah batters and held the two-run lead. Center fielder Jacob Culberson tripled to right centerfield in the bottom of the inning but Pope could not get him home.

In the top of the sixth inning, Wiseman added two more strikeouts and ended his strong outing with the Greyhounds leading 3-2, as Cameron Allison came on in relief to get a fly out to right field that stopped a Sequoyah rally. Needing insurance runs in the bottom of the inning, Flading delivered for the Greyhounds as he led off by launching a home run to centerfield. Brett Lyle then reached on an error, taking second on a wild throw, and Culberson pushed an RBI single to right field to take the score to 5-2. Culberson later advanced to third on a wild pitch, finally scoring on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Parker.

With a 6-2 lead in hand, Pope turned to Skruck to close the game out, and he overpowered the Chiefs with three quick strikeouts that handed the Greyhounds the victory.

Pope ends its regular season with a record of 18-8 and wins the Region 7-AAAAA championship for senior players Lowe, Flading, Parker, Wes Smith, Joseph Arcieri, and Brady Walsh. The playoff schedule will be announced soon.

For pictures from the Pope/Sequoyah game, click here.

4/22/13 Pope vs. KellFinal: Kell 10, Pope 5

Pope Takes Early Lead But Loses 10-5 to Kell

Playing its second road game in 3 days against a region opponent, Pope fell to the Kell Longhorns Monday 10-5 in a game in which the Greyhounds held an early lead.

Pope struck first in the top of the second inning, putting two runs together in a solid series. Designated hitter Stephen Skruck led off the inning with a single to left field, then took second on a passed ball. Shortstop Johnny Flading was hit on the foot by a pitch to put runners at first and second base, and Wes Smith delivered a double to left field to score the first run. With pinch runner Harrison Siegal on third, third baseman Brett Lyle brought him home with an infield out, giving Pope the 2-0 lead.

The Greyhounds added a run in the fourth inning, taking a 3-0 lead when Smith walked and Lyle hit a double to right center field to score pinch runner Siegal, who had taken second on a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Kell rallied with a big inning and took a 4-3 lead. Pope answered in its next at bat in the top of the fifth. Skruck led the inning off with a walk, followed by a single to left field by Flading to put runners at first and second base. Smith laid down a solid sacrifice bunt to move the runners over, and Lyle got his third RBI of the night when he hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to tie the game 4-4. Center fielder Jacob Culberson stepped in next and smoked a double to left field to bring Flading home and give the Greyhounds the 5-4 lead.

Kell rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning however and put up 6 runs to take a 10-5 lead that it would not surrender.

With the loss, Pope’s season record moves to 17-8. They Greyhounds are now 15-4 in the 7-AAAAA region and face Sequoyah Thursday with the opportunity to win the region championship outright. Thursday night’s game begins at 5:55pm at home.

For pictures from the Pope/Kell game, click here.

4/20/13 Pope vs. SprayberryFinal: Sprayberry 5, Pope 2

Pope Falls to Sprayberry 5-2

The Greyhounds lost Saturday 5-2 to Sprayberry in a region game, with Pope coming up short against a strong performance on the mound by the Yellow Jackets pitcher.

Pope scored first in the game, putting up 2 runs in the second inning. Pitcher Stephen Skruck opened the inning with a walk, and Wes Smith followed with a fly ball to right field that was dropped by the right fielder. With two outs and Harrison Siegal pinch running for Skruck and Logan Taylor for Smith, a balk by Sprayberry sent Siegal home with the first run. Carl Williams then hit a long fly ball to center field that was also misplayed by Yellow Jackets, which sent Taylor home with the second run and a 2-0 lead.

Pope did not score again, and Sprayberry later tied the game in the fourth inning before taking the lead for good in the fifth inning on a 2-run home run.

Pope’s season record goes to 17-7 with the loss and the team is now 15-3 in its region. With a chance to seal the 7-AAAAA region championship with its next win, Pope squares off against Kell on Monday night at 5:55pm at Kell.

For pictures from the Pope/Sprayberry game, click here.

4/17/13 North Springs vs. PopeFinal: Pope 7, North Springs 0

Wiseman’s 11 Strikeouts Lead Pope in Shutout of North Springs

Patrick Wiseman earned an impressive win as he gave up 1 hit and struck out 11 batters in 6 innings on the mound, leading the Pope Greyhounds to a 7-0 shutout victory over North Springs on Wednesday night. Wiseman remained strong throughout the game as he struck out the side in both the second and sixth innings.

It was Eastside Baseball night at the Pope park, with Pope Baseball welcoming players, coaches, and families from the Eastside baseball program. After the national anthem, siblings Lily and Ryan Martin threw perfect strikes on the ceremonial first pitch.

Throwing a steady stream of off-speed pitches, the North Springs pitcher kept Pope in check for much of the game, with the Greyhounds putting up 1 run in the third inning but unable to do more despite 5 hits through the fifth inning. Pope finally blew the game open in the sixth inning, using 6 hits to score 6 runs and extend the lead to 7-0.

In the third inning, Mason Shiflett led off with a single to center field, and then advanced to third on a wild throw by the pitcher. One batter later, Nathaniel Lowe continued his RBI run when he brought Shiflett home with an infield single.

Pope broke through in the sixth inning. Stephen Skruck started the inning off with a double to left field, and Johnny Flading singled him home for a 2-0 lead. Wes Smith followed with a single to right field to advance pinch runner Harrison Siegal to third, and Brett Lyle’s squeeze bunt brought Siegal home for a 3-0 lead. Jacob Culberson then laid down a perfect bunt single to advance pinch runner Logan Taylor to third, and Carl Williams doubled both runners home with a liner down the right field line for a 5-0 lead. After Williams stole third and Shiflett walked, they executed a double steal for a 6-0 lead. Lowe finished the scoring with another RBI, when his single to center plated Shiflett for the seventh Greyhound run.

Chip Mattiford kept the one-hitter intact when he came on in relief in the seventh and quickly set down the Spartans with two ground outs and a strike out.

In addition to Wiseman dominating on the mound, Pope’s hitters put up 11 hits on the night, with Lowe, Skruck, and Culberson each getting 2 hits.

With another win, Pope moves its season record to 17-6, and remains on top of its region with a region record of 15-2. The Greyhounds play next on Friday 4/19 in another region matchup as Pope visits Sprayberry for a 5:55pm game.

For pictures from the Pope/North Springs game, click here.

4/15/13 Pope vs. NorthviewFinal: Pope 6, Northview 5

Pope Earns Comeback Win Over Northview 6-5

Pope broke open a close game Wednesday night with a late sixth inning rally to come from behind and defeat the Northview Titans 6-5 in another region matchup.

The Greyhounds relied on effective pitching performances from Nathaniel Lowe, Braden Zarbnisky, and Cameron Allison to earn the win. Lowe went 4 tough innings, striking out 5. Zarbnisky held the Titans scoreless in the sixth with help from a great defensive play by catcher Stephen Skruck, and Allison worked a quick seventh inning to seal the win.

Pope fell behind 1-0 early before taking the lead in the third inning on singles by lead-off hitter Mason Shiflett and Patrick Wiseman, who each advanced a base after an error by Northview. Lowe’s sacrifice fly to center field plated Shiflett to tie the game, and Skruck followed with a single to left to score Wiseman and push the lead to 2-1.

Northview retook the lead, and then stretched it to 5-2 in the fifth inning, setting the stage for the Greyhounds’ comeback. Jacob Culberson led the inning off with a single to left field, and Brett Lyle followed with a single to right field. Both runners moved into scoring position when the throw came in slowly from the field. Jared Parker then hit a hard liner at the Titan shortstop but the ball bounced over his head, bringing both runners home. With the Greyhounds down 5-4, Shiflett doubled on a flare to right field to put runners at second and third. Wiseman smoked a double to center field to bring both runners home and give Pope the 6-5 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning with runners at first and second and no outs, Northview attempted a bunt. The ball popped straight up in front of the plate, and catcher Skruck jumped out to catch the ball then quickly fired to second base to double off the runner. After the double play, Zarbnisky got a quick ground out to shortstop and the Greyhounds squashed the rally.

Pope got 13 hits from its offense, including 3 each from Wiseman and Lyle.

The win gives Pope a season record of 16-6, and a region record of 14-2. The Greyhounds play next on Wednesday 4/17 in another region matchup, with North Springs visiting Pope for a 5:55pm game.

For pictures from the Pope/Northview game, click here.

4/13/13 Wesleyan vs. PopeFinal: Pope 9, Wesleyan 7

Lyle, Culberson’s 3 RBI’s Key Pope’s Comeback Win Over Wesleyan 9-7

After playing 15 of its first 20 games against region opponents, Pope enjoyed a rare non-region game Saturday and won 9-7 over Wesleyan on a beautiful afternoon. The surging Greyhounds used 4 pitchers in the win and put together 11 total hits, with Jacob Culberson and Brett Lyle each knocking in 3 runs to lead the team offensively. Freshman left-hander Cameron Allison came on in the seventh to earn the save, giving up a single before quickly setting down the next three hitters, striking out one.

Pope fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning, then put up 3 quick runs to take the 3-2 lead. Mason Shiflett led off with a single to right field, and Nathaniel Lowe later lined a double to left field to put runners at second and third. Shiflett soon scored on a wild pitch, and Lowe came home on a passed ball before Culberson singled to left to score Johnny Flading who had reached on a walk.

Pope fell behind 6-3 in the fourth inning, and once more the Greyhound hitters tied the game. Pinch hitter Michael Chiara started the inning off with a walk and Lowe later walked to put runners at first and second. Flading’s single to center field scored Chiara, and designated hitter Lyle drilled a double down the third base line to bring home both runners and tie the game 6-6.

Wesleyan kept up the pressure and took the lead 7-6 in the sixth inning, and again Pope hit its way back into the lead. Patrick Wiseman, Lowe, and Wes Smith each singled to center field to load the bases. Lyle hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring Wiseman home and tie the game. Culberson stepped to the plate next and scorched a double to center field and bring the other two runners home, giving Pope its 9-7 lead.

On the mound, Pope used pitchers Braden Zarbnisky, Joe Arcieri, Chip Mattiford, and Allison in the victory. In the second inning, starter Zarbnisky got Wesleyan to ground into a key 5-4-3 double play, and working in long relief, Mattiford struck out two hitters in the sixth inning and stranded a runner in scoring position after Wesleyan rallied and took the 7-6 lead.

Catcher Smith made two strong plays defensively, throwing out a base runner at second base in the first inning and another at third base in the fifth inning. Offensively, the Greyhounds received multi-hit games from Culberson, Flading, and Lowe.

The win gives Pope a season record of 15-6. The Greyhounds play Monday 4/15 in a region game at Northview at 5:55pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Wesleyan game, click here.

4/12/13 Creekview vs. PopeFinal: Pope 8, Creekview 7

Pope Rallies to Beat Region Rival Creekview 8-7

Pope fell behind three times against the Creekview Grizzlies on Friday night before rallying in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn an important 8-7 region victory. The Greyhounds put together a strong team win as they overcame defensive lapses and walks, putting up 2 runs in the sixth inning before Nathaniel Lowe came on in the top of the seventh to close out the win. The key hit of the game for Pope was a 3-run home run in the fifth inning by Stephen Skruck that gave Pope a 6-4 lead.

The exciting seventh inning included Creekview placing the tying run at third base with no outs before Lowe fired a third strike past the hitter for the first out of the inning. After an intentional walk, Lowe and catcher Wes Smith combined on a very close play at the plate after a wild pitch, with a perfect throw and catch at home to nail the runner. Lowe later sealed the win, fielding a grounder up the middle and throwing to Patrick Wiseman at first for a well-earned victory.

Pope took a 1-0 lead in the first after Lowe hit a double and later came around to score on a passed ball. Down 2-1 in the fourth inning, Pope scored twice to take the lead 3-2 when Johnny Flading walked and Smith doubled to left, followed by a long triple to center field by Jared Parker. Down 4-3 in the fifth inning, Skruck walloped the three-run homer to center to give Pope the 6-4 lead.

After falling behind 7-6, Pope manufactured 2 more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Parker lead off the inning with a walk and Mason Shiflett reached on an infield single. Wiseman’s fielder’s choice put runners at second and third base, and Lowe was intentionally walked to load the bases. The move backfired, when pinch hitter Logan Taylor drew an RBI walk to tie the game, and Flading did the same to give Pope the 8-7 lead.

Starting pitcher Skruck worked 4 solid innings, striking out 3 hitters in the fourth inning. Chris Habla and Cameron Allison both worked an inning in relief as well.

Offensively, Pope put up 8 total hits, with Lowe and Parker getting 2 each.

The win gives Pope a season record of 14-6 and moves its region record to a very strong 13-2. The Greyhounds play Saturday 4/13 against Wesleyan at home at 1pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Creekview game, click here.

4/10/13 Pope vs. Forsyth CentralFinal: Pope 13, Forsyth Central 8

17 Hit Attack and 3 HR’s Lead Pope to 13-8 Win over Forsyth Central

Pope opened its game Wednesday night against Forsyth Central hitting the ball hard and didn’t stop for 3 hours, coming from behind to beat the Bulldogs in a long 7 inning game that featured home runs from Nathaniel Lowe, Patrick Wiseman, and Jared Parker.

The Greyhound opened the first inning by manufacturing a run on a walk to Wiseman, with pinch runner Logan Taylor advancing to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch. Stephen Skruck’s single to left brought Taylor home and gave Pope a 1-0 lead.

After Forsyth jumped to a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the first, Pope used 7 consecutive hits in the top of the third to storm back. Leadoff hitter Mason Shiflett reached on an infield single, and Wiseman’s single to right field put runners at first and second. Lowe tied the game by crushing a long 3-run home run to left field. After Skruck and Johnny Flading hit back-to-back singles to put runners at first and second base, Wes Smith lined an RBI single to left to give Pope a 5-4 lead. With runners at first and second, Carl Williams laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Jacob Culberson and Parker each followed with fielder’s choices to stretch the lead to 7-4, giving Pope a lead it would not relinquish.

In the fourth inning, the Greyhounds got two more runs after Wiseman and Lowe walked and advanced on a wild pitch, then Flading’s single brought both runners home and gave Pope a 9-4 lead. Pope added 2 more runs in the fifth inning when Wiseman hit a long home run to right field, Lowe singled, and then Skruck smashed a double to left field to extend the lead to 11-4.

Pope added its final two runs in the sixth inning on a home run to left field by Parker, a single by Shiflett, and a double to left field by Michael Chiara that scored Shiflett and put the game out of reach at 13-5.

Wiseman worked four effective innings and earned the win, striking out 7 Forsyth Central batters. Cameron Allison struck out three while relieving in the fifth inning, and Chip Mattiford got a ground out and fly out in the sixth inning to shut down the Bulldogs when they threatened a rally. Joe Arcieri finished the game with 3 strikeouts in the seventh inning

Pope continued to show the strength of its hitters top to bottom through the lineup, delivering run scoring hits consistently when runners advanced into scoring position. Multi-hit games came from Shiflett, Wiseman, Lowe, Skruck, Flading, and Smith.

Pope extends its season record to 13-6 with the win and moves its region record to 12-2. The Greyhounds play a key region game on Friday 4/12 against Creekview at home at 5:55pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Forsyth Central game, click here.

4/6/13 Pope vs. CambridgeFinal: Pope 12, Cambridge 7

Pope Puts Up 14 Hits in 12-7 Win over Cambridge

Pope used 14 hits and 4 solid innings from starting pitcher Stephen Skruck to defeat region opponent Cambridge 12-7 Saturday.

The Greyhounds jumped to a 3-0 in the first inning and led start to finish. Mason Shiflett led the inning off with a single to right centerfield, Patrick Wiseman drew a walk, and Nathaniel Lowe doubled both runners home. Skruck then pushed Lowe to third with an infield out and later scored on a wild pitch.

In the second inning, Shiflett remained hot and reached base on a walk. After he moved to third on two consecutive wild pitches, Wiseman singled him home for a 4-0 Greyhound lead. Lowe walked to put runners at first and second, and Skruck singled Wiseman home for a 5-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Shiflett started another rally with a single, then took third on a perfect hit and run single to right field by Lowe. Skruck’s sacrifice fly brought Shiflett home, and Lowe later scored on an error by the Bears, stretching Pope’s lead to 7-3.

In the fifth inning, Pope took a 9-3 lead on a single by Logan Taylor, a double by Jacob Culberson, and back-to-back sacrifice flies by Jared Parker and Shiflett. Skruck started off the sixth inning with a double, then scored on a single by Johnny Flading and the Greyhounds held a 10-4 lead.

In the seventh inning, Pope added two more runs with a double by Wiseman, and run-scoring singles from Brett Lyle and Flading. Cambridge rallied for 3 runs in their final at bat and the game ended 12-7.

Skruck earned the win in 4 innings of work, striking out 5, and relief pitchers Cameron Allison and Braden Zarbnisky came in to help seal the victory. Offensively Pope received multi-hit games from Shiflett, Lowe, Wiseman, Skruck, and Flading.

Pope moves its season record to 12-6 with the win, and its region record goes to 11-2. The Greyhounds travel to Forsyth Central on Wednesday for a 5:55pm game.

For pictures from the Pope/Cambridge game, click here.

4/5/13 Osborne vs. PopeFinal: Pope 15, Osborne 0

Pope Crushes Osborne 15-0 on No-Hitter by Wiseman

Pope cruised to a 15-0 win over Osborne Friday night as pitcher Patrick Wiseman struck out 7 in a run-rule shortened 3-inning outing. Wiseman no-hit the Cardinals and hit his second grand slam of the season, a long shot to right field in the second inning that put the game away.

The Greyhounds jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Mason Shiflett led off the game with a walk and came home on an RBI double by Nathaniel Lowe. Stephen Skruck followed with an RBI single that scored pinch runner Logan Taylor.

In the second inning, three Pope batters walked to load the bases and then Wiseman’s grand slam stretched the lead to 6-0. Skruck later doubled off the centerfield fence and Johnny Flading walked to put runners at first and third. Wes Smith’s fielder’s choice brought the seventh run home, and Carl Williams singled to right which the Osborne right fielder then misplayed, allowing Smith to come all the way around and score. With Williams on third, Jacob Culberson came up next and hit a 2-run homer to left field to close the inning out with the Greyhounds up 10-0.

In the third inning, Pope plated five more runs to end the game. After Michael Chiara and Lowe walked, pinch hitter Kyle Armitage hit an RBI single to left for an 11-0 Greyhound lead. A series of walks and Osborne fielding errors quickly brought four more runs home and the game ended with Pope holding a 15 run lead.

Pope’s season record moves to 11-6 with the win, and its region record goes to 10-2. The Greyhounds travel to Cambridge on Saturday for a 1pm game.

For pictures from the Pope/Osborne game, click here.

4/1/13 Franklin County (KY) vs. PopeFinal: Franklin County 8, Pope 6

Pope Falls to Franklin County 8-6

Pope lost 8-6 Monday night against the visiting team from Franklin County, Kentucky. The Greyhounds fell behind early and then fought back on the strength of 10 base hits, but could not earn the win.

It was Teacher Appreciation Night at the park, with Pope’s 6 senior players selecting their favorite Pope teachers who made a positive influence on them during their high school careers.

After falling behind 5-0 in the first inning, the Greyhound scored 3 runs in the bottom of the second inning. Kyle Armitage started the hitting with a single to right field, and after back-to-back walks to Jared Parker and Mason Shiflett, Nathaniel Lowe delivered a 3-run double to right field to close the game to 5-3.

Pope cut the led to 5-4 in the fifth inning on a Patrick Wiseman single to left field. The Greyhounds then mounted another rally in the sixth inning. Parker was hit by a pitch, and then Shiflett lined a double to right field to put runners at second and third. Lowe followed with an infield single to load the bases. Stephen Skruck singled to move the score to 8-5, and then Shiflett came home on a passed ball to close the gap to 8-6. However that was as close as the Greyhounds would get.

Offensive highlights included 3-hit games from Shiflett and Lowe. Pope also received excellent relief work from Chris Habla, Chip Mattiford, Braden Zarbnisky, Cameron Allison, and Logan Taylor. Habla struck out 2 in his 1+ innings on the mound, and Mattiford struck out 3 in the top of the third inning. Zarbnisky also struck out 2 in his two innings on work, and Allison worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth with a double play on a strike out and then tagged out a runner on a play at home. Taylor finished the night by striking out the side in the seventh.

Pope’s season record moves to 10-6, and the Greyhounds face Osborne at home Thursday night at 5:55pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Franklin County game, click here.

3/29/13 Riverwood vs. PopeFinal: Pope 4, Riverwood 1

Skruck and Lowe Combine on 1-Hitter as Pope Defeats Riverwood 4-1

Pope avenged its loss earlier this season to Riverwood with a decisive 4-1 win Friday night over its region rival.

The Greyhounds erased a 1-0 deficit in the fourth inning with 4 unanswered runs and used excellent pitching performances from Stephen Skruck and Nathaniel Lowe to seal the victory. Skruck earned the win with 7 strikeouts over five innings. He allowed only an infield single in the fifth inning. Lowe saved the game with two scoreless innings in relief, striking out 5 of the 6 batters he faced.

Riverwood took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, manufacturing an unearned run after two Greyhound errors and a wild pitch. In the bottom of the inning, Pope appeared to be ready to tie the game as Carl Williams doubled to right field then took third on a groundout by Lowe, but the inning ended without a Greyhound run.

Pope’s pitching and defense was flawless from that point forward, and the score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Greyhounds struck for 4 runs. The inning began with Skruck reaching base on an error by the Riverwood second baseman. After Johnny Flading’s fielder’s choice moved pinch runner Brett Lyle to second base, catcher Wes Smith came to the plate and singled to put runners at the corners. Patrick Wiseman then hit a sacrifice fly to score Lyle and tie the game 1-1.

Center fielder Jacob Culberson followed with an RBI single to left field to score pinch runner Logan Taylor, who slid between the legs of the Riverwood catcher to extend the lead to 2-1. Jared Parker took a walk and both base runners quickly advanced on a wild pitch. With men on second and third, second baseman Mason Shiflett stepped in and hammered a 2-run single to left field to make the score 4-1.

That was all the scoring the game would hold. Both Pope pitchers worked quickly and located their pitches very effectively, containing a fast and dangerous Riverwood team until Lowe struck out the final batter on a called third strike.

Pope extends its season record to 10-5 and its region record to 9-2 with the win. The team plays next on Monday evening at home at 5:55pm in a non-region game against the Franklin County team from Kentucky.

For pictures from the Pope/Riverwood game, click here.

3/27/13 Pope vs. SequoyahFinal: Pope 11, Sequoyah 1

Pope Hitters Key Dominating 11-1 Win Over Sequoyah

The visiting Pope Greyhounds continued their stretch of strong hitting Wednesday night against the Sequoyah Chiefs, putting up 11 runs on 12 hits in a 5-inning game that ended by run rule. Pitchers Patrick Wiseman and Joe Arcieri combined on the 1 hitter, with Wiseman working 4 sharp innings and striking out 4 as he surrendered only one unearned run.

Pope jumped out to a quick lead in the game’s first three innings. In the first inning, Carl Williams drew a walk and Stephen Skruck brought him home with a booming double to deep centerfield. In the bottom of the third inning, Pope put the game away with 4 singles and 6 additional runs. Jared Parker started the inning off with a walk, and Mason Shiflett followed with a hit and run single to right field to put runners on the corners. Shiflett took a wide turn at first and deliberately got into a run down, allowing Parker to score before Shiflett reached second base safely.

After Nathaniel Lowe walked and Skruck was intentionally walked to load the bases, Johnny Flading, Wes Smith, and Wiseman produced three singles in a row to plate 4 runs and take the lead to 6-1. The Greyhounds added another run when Parker batted again in the inning and hit a sacrifice fly.

Pope kept the pressure on the Chiefs in the fourth inning. Williams led the inning off with a double to right field, and Skruck was hit by a pitch. Flading scorched an infield single to load the bases. Smith then pushed a run home with a fielder’s choice, and Wiseman’s single to centerfield scored pinch runner Brett Lyle and extended the score to 9-1.

In the fifth inning, Pope added two more runs on singles by Michael Chiara, Logan Taylor, and Lowe, with Skruck bringing in Taylor on a long sacrifice fly to centerfield. Lyle also singled in the inning. With the lead 11-1, Arcieri came on to close the game out, striking out one in an effective inning of work.

The Greyhounds received 12 hits from 10 different players, with multi-hit games coming from Flading and Wiseman. With the win, Pope moves its season record to 9-5 and region record to 8-2. The team plays Riverwood Friday 3/29/13 in a key region matchup. The game starts at 5:55pm at Pope’s home field.

For pictures from the Pope/Sequoyah game, click here.

3/22/13 Kell vs. Pope Final: Pope 7, Kell 6

Pope Defeats Kell 7-6 in Exciting Finish in Final At Bat

Playing the Kell Longhorns Friday night on Pope’s home field, the Greyhounds jumped to a big 6-1 lead only to see Kell tie the game, before Pope manufactured the game winning run in an exciting 7-6 finish.

It was Sandy Plains Baseball night at the park, with Pope Baseball welcoming players, coaches, and families from the Sandy Plains baseball program. After the national anthem, lefty Aiden Wojtczak threw a perfect strike on the ceremonial first pitch.

Kell took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning, scoring an unearned run. Pope responded with a run of its own. Hot hitting Mason Shiflett led off the game with a single to left field but was picked off. After Carl Williams walked, Nathaniel Lowe drilled a single to right field to put runners at the corners. Clean-up hitter Stephen Skruck followed with a long sacrifice fly to deep center to bring Williams home and tie the score 1-1.

In the bottom of the second inning, Pope struck for four more runs. Patrick Wiseman started the rally with a hard double to right field, and Jacob Culberson followed with a long home run to left centerfield to push the score to 3-1. Jared Parker drew a walk next, and Shiflett singled to put runners at first and second. Lowe doubled both runners home with a liner to right field, which stretched the lead to 5-1.

Starting pitcher Skruck kept the Longhorns in check from there. Mixing a good fastball and a hard breaking curve ball, he worked into the sixth inning and allowed three earned runs while striking out 7. He also hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to move the score to 6-1.

In the sixth inning, Kell put three runs on the board, with pitcher Chris Habla throwing 2 key strikeouts to stop the Longhorn rally. Braden Zarbnisky took the mound in the seventh and got two quick outs before Kell used a walk and two hits to tie the score. With the game tied 6-6, Zarbnisky reached back and fired an important third strike by the Kell batter to end the inning, giving the Greyhounds the chance to win the game in their final at bat.

Pope executed perfectly in the win. Lowe led the inning off with an extended at bat before he walked. Skruck reached on an error by the Kell pitcher, whose high throw to second allowed pinch runner Logan Taylor and Skruck to each reach base safely. Johnny Flading laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt next to put runners at second and third. After Wes Smith was intentionally walked to load the bases, a passed ball by the Kell catcher allowed Taylor to scamper home with the winning run and seal the exciting win.

With the win Pope moves to 8-5 on the season and plays next Wednesday 3/27 at 5:55pm at Sequoyah.

For pictures from the Pope/Kell game, click here.

3/20/13 Sprayberry vs. Pope Final: Pope 8, Sprayberry 3

Wiseman’s 14K’s, 2 HR’s from Williams, Lead Greyhounds Past Sprayberry 8-3

Wednesday night Pope received 14 strikeouts in a dominating pitching performance from Patrick Wiseman and 2 home runs from Carl Williams to beat Sprayberry 8-3 for a key region win. With the victory, Pope moved its season record to 7-5 and its region record to a solid 6-2.

It was Pope Jr. Greyhound night at the park, with Pope Baseball welcoming players, coaches, and families from the Jr. Greyhound baseball program. After the national anthem, Grant Edwards the captain of the 14u team threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

After Sprayberry jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on three hits, Wiseman was unhittable through six innings. He mixed an overpowering fastball with a sharp breaking ball and struck out seven Sprayberry hitters in a row between the third and fifth innings.

In the bottom of the third inning, Pope cut the score to 2-1 on a long solo home run to center field by Williams. In the fourth inning, Stephen Skruck tied the game 2-2 with a high home run to right field.

The Greyhounds put the game away for good in the fifth inning. Jared Parker led off the inning by working a walk after being behind in the count 0-2. Mason Shiflett followed by smoking a line drive to left field to put runners at second and third, and Williams cleared the bases with another home run to center field to stretch the lead to 5-2.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Pope added some needed insurance runs to seal the victory. Wes Smith led off the inning with a single to left field. Wiseman’s fielder’s choice advanced pinch runner Logan Taylor to second base, and then Jacob Culberson brought Taylor home with an RBI single to left field. After Culberson took second base on the late throw home, Parker singled him home to extend the score to 7-3. Shiflett then walked and Williams hit a fielder’s choice that allowed Parker to score the game’s eighth run when the Sprayberry shortstop made an error on a wild throw to first base.

Braden Zarbnisky came on in the seventh inning and quickly closed out the game, striking out 2 more Yellow Jacket hitters. Pope batters put in another strong performance at the plate and collected nine hits in the victory, with multi-hit games from Johnny Flading and Williams.

The Greyhounds play another region game this Friday night 3/22/13 at home against Kell at 5:55pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Sprayberry game, click here.

3/19/13 Pope vs. North SpringsFinal: Pope 6, North Springs 1

Lowe Strikes Out 10 as Greyhounds Beat North Springs 6-1

Pitching 6 innings of 4-hit ball with 10 strikeouts, Nathaniel Lowe led Pope to a solid 6-1 win over the North Springs Spartans Tuesday evening. The Greyhounds never trailed in the game and collected 7 hits in the victory. Carl Williams brought in 3 runs with a bases loaded double in the second inning, and lefty Cameron Allison came on for the seventh inning to strike out two and seal the win.

Pope continued its practice of taking an early lead as Mason Shiflett led off the game with a single to center field, and Lowe later knocked him in with an RBI double to left field. With a 1-0 lead to work with, Lowe came out in the bottom of the inning to strike out two of the first three batters, using a strong fastball to keep the Spartans off the bases.

DH Wes Smith led off the top of the second inning with a single to left field, and Patrick Wiseman followed with a walk to put two runners on base. After Jared Parker sent a hard single to left field to load the bases, Williams drilled a double to right field on a full count to clear the bases and extend the lead to 4-0.

The game remained at 4-0 through the fifth inning, when North Springs manufactured a run on an infield single, a sacrifice bunt, and a clean single to right field to close the score to 4-1. Pope brought home two more runs in the top of the sixth inning, when Johnny Flading and Smith hit back to back singles to put two runners on base. Wiseman’s infield out advanced the runners, and Jacob Culberson earned the RBI with a ground out to third to score Flading and stretch the lead to 5-1. Parker followed with a walk and made a wide turn at first, drawing the throw from the catcher and remaining in a run-down until the sixth Pope run scored. Parker then reached second base safely.

Lowe ended his dominating outing by striking out the side in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Allison surrendered one hit and struck out two in the seventh inning to end the game.

Pope raises its season record to 6-5 with the win and plays again Wednesday night at home at 5:55pm against Sprayberry.

For pictures from the Pope/North Springs game, click here.

3/16/13 Pope vs. DunwoodyFinal: Dunwoody 10, Pope 9

Pope Falls to Dunwoody 10-9

Pope bolted out to an easy 8-1 lead Saturday afternoon at Dunwoody but let the game get away and lost 10-9.

It was all Pope early on, with the Greyhounds’ hitters continuing to scorch the ball all over the park. In the bottom of the first inning, Pope put up 2 quick runs when Carl Williams singled to left field and Nathaniel Lowe crushed a 3-2 pitch, launching another long home run to left center field.

In the second inning, Pope scored 5 more runs to extend its lead to 7-0. Jacob Culberson started the inning off with a hard double to right field. Jared Parker reached on an error by the pitcher and Mason Shiflett singled to load the bases, then Lowe walked to score a run. Stephen Skruck reached on an error by the Wildcat right fielder to score another run, and then Johnny Flading singled to make it 5-0. Wes Smith took a pitch on the shoulder to score another run, and Patrick Wiseman hit a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-0.

In the fourth inning, Skruck hit a towering home run over the scoreboard in left field to stretch the lead to 8-0.

Starting pitcher Chris Habla worked 2 effective innings, surrendering no runs and striking out 2. Also solid in relief were Chip Mattiford and Cameron Allison. A number of walks in the game’s final innings led to the Pope loss.

Pope evens its season record at 5-5 with the loss. The Greyhounds look to return to their winning ways when they face North Springs Monday night 3/18/13 at 5:55pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Dunwoody game, click here.

3/15/13 Northview vs. Pope Final: Pope 16, Northview 1

Led by Wiseman’s Grand Slam, Pope Crushes Northview 16-1

Pope used a long grand slam by Patrick Wiseman in the bottom of the first inning Friday night at home to run away with a dominating 16-1 win over Northview. The Greyhounds put up 13 hits in the game, which ended after only 3 innings due to run rule. Pitcher Stephen Skruck earned the win in three effective innings, surrendering only 1 run and striking out 5.

Skruck started the first inning by quickly striking out the side. In its first at bat, Pope received a single from leadoff hitter Mason Shiflett and another single by Nathaniel Lowe to put two runners on base. When Skruck reached on an error by Northview, Johnny Flading pushed the first run across on an infield out. Wes Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting the table for Wiseman. He came to the plate and crushed an outside pitch to deep left centerfield to put Pope ahead 5-0 and the rout was on.

In the bottom of the second inning, Pope put the game away. Jared Parker led the inning off with a bunt single. A scary moment came next, when Shiflett ripped a line drive that deflected off the Northview pitcher’s face. It was unclear if the pitcher was able to partially block the ball with his glove. After being down for a few minute, the pitcher walked off the field on his own, which was a relief to all in attendance. Carl Williams followed with an infield single then Lowe walked to load the bases. Skruck reached on an error by the shortstop, which stretched the lead to 7-0. Flading’s single loaded the bases again, and Smith delivered with a sacrifice fly to make it 8-0. Wiseman walked to load the bases again, and Jacob Culberson delivered a 2-run single to make it 10-0. Parker batted again, sending a line drive over the left fielder’s head to push the lead to 12-0, and Shiflett rounded out the inning with another hard line drive back up the middle to plate Parker and make the score 13-0.

In the bottom of the third, the Greyhounds used the opportunity to end the game early with more strong hitting. Lowe started the inning off with a double to left centerfield. Brett Lyle singled him home, and then Kyle Armitage was hit by a pitch and Wiseman singled to load the bases. Logan Taylor drew a walk to push the lead to 15-1, and Michael Chiara followed with a single to score the final run.

The game ended by run rule with the 16th run.

Pope moves its record to 5-4 with the win and travels to Dunwoody for a game Saturday at 12pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Northview game, click here.

3/13/13 Pope vs. CreekviewFinal: Creekview 8, Pope 6

Pope Loses Close Game to Creekview

Pope continued its strong hitting with a 10-hit attack against the Creekview Grizzlies Wednesday, but lost a late lead and fell 8-6 on a cold and windy night for baseball.

Down 1-0, the Greyhounds jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the top of the second with 5 consecutive hits. Johnny Flading started the hitting off with a single to right field, and Patrick Wiseman followed with a single to left. Both runners then advanced on a passed ball before Wes Smith singled Flading home. Mason Shiflett followed with a double to score Wiseman, and Jacob Culberson singled Smith home.

In the top of the third inning, Pope looked ready to put the game away when it scored 3 more runs. Nathaniel Lowe, Stephen Skruck, and Flading hit back to back singles to load the bases. Wiseman’s fielder’s choice sent Lowe home, and Smith reached first to load the bases on an error by Creekview. Shiflett and Culberson then worked bases-loaded walks to score two more runs and extend the lead to 6-1.

Lowe pitched very effectively in his 3+ innings of work. Creekview put 3 runs up in the bottom of the fourth inning to close the score to 6-4 before Braden Zarbnisky came in to end the inning with a strikeout with the bases loaded. Creekview later took an 8-6 lead, when Joseph Arcieri made his first appearance of the season in the sixth inning, stranding two base runners to keep the game close and give Pope one last chance. However the game ended there with the Greyhounds coming up short.

Offensively Pope received multi-hit games from Flading, Wiseman, and Lowe. Pope moves its season record to 4-4 with the loss, and plays at home against Northview at 5:55pm on Friday 3/15/13.

For pictures from the Pope/Creekview game, click here.

3/12/13 Forsyth Central vs. PopeFinal: Pope 11, Forsyth Central 0

Pope Crushes Forsyth Central on Homers from Lowe, Flading, and Culberson; 10 K’s from Wiseman

With their third high-scoring win in a row, the Pope Greyhounds shut out the Forsyth Central Bulldogs 11-0 Tuesday night at the Greyhounds’ home field. Power hitting and pitching lead the way for Pope.

Patrick Wiseman started the game for Pope and had 4 1/3 innings of dominant pitching on the mound, mixing his fastball and breaking ball to strike out 10 batters and scatter 3 hits.

Wiseman pitched ahead throughout the game, striking out 2 of the first 3 hitters in the first. Pope’s big bats continued to shine in the bottom of the first. After number two hitter Carl Williams doubled off the right field fence, Nathaniel Lowe stepped in and crushed a two-run homer to deep right field. Stephen Skruck followed with a walk, and Johnny Flading immediately pounded a two-run homer to deep right centerfield to push the score to 4-0.

Wiseman then struck out 4 more hitters in the second and third innings before Pope erupted in the bottom of the third and put the game away. Skruck began the inning reaching on an error by the Forsyth shortstop, and Wiseman was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Wes Smith continued his hot hitting with a single to centerfield to increase the lead to 5-0. After Mason Shiflett walked to load the bases, Jacob Culberson stepped to the plate and drilled a long grand slam to left centerfield to make the score 9-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Pope plated two more runs. Lowe opened the inning with a moon shot to right field for his second home run of the game and fifth of the season. Smith later brought home Pope’s final run with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, stretching the score to 11-0. The game ended by run rule after Forsyth Central’s final at bat in the top of the fifth, with the game lasting only 90 minutes from the first pitch.

Pope moves its season record to 4-3 with the win and plays at Creekview at 5:55pm on Wednesday 3/13/13.

For pictures from the Pope/Forsyth Central game, click here.

3/9/13 Cambridge vs. PopeFinal: Pope 11, Cambridge 4

Pope Uses 14 Hit Attack to Thump Cambridge

The Pope Greyhounds continued their hot hitting Friday night at their home field, collecting 14 hits and soundly defeating Cambridge 11-4.

Leading the way offensively for Pope with 3-hit games were Nathaniel Lowe, Patrick Wiseman, and Mason Shiflett. The Greyhounds also received home runs from Stephen Skruck and Carl Williams.

Pope’s pitchers threw well and combined for 13 strikeouts. Mowing down the Bear hitters after allowing runs in the first, Skruck earned the victory as he struck out 8 batters in 4 strong innings of 4-hit work. Braden Zarbnisky came on in the fifth and worked 2 effective innings and struck out 2 Cambridge batters, and hard-throwing Lowe took the mound in the seventh to strike out the side and seal the victory.

The Greyhounds jumped on the Cambridge starting pitcher quickly, sending 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning. Number two hitter Williams started the scoring when he drilled a home run to right. Lowe followed with a double to left field, and Johnny Flading singled him home to close the gap to 4-2. Wiseman then singled and both runners took another base on an error, with Flading later coming home on a passed ball. When Wes Smith reached on another Cambridge error, Shiflett doubled to bring both runners home and give Pope a 5-4 lead.

With the lead back, Skruck would not relinquish it as he worked quickly through the Cambridge lineup. In the bottom of the third inning, Pope plated another run with back-to-back singles from Wiseman and Smith and a fielder’s choice by Jared Parker. The Greyhounds scored two more runs in the fourth inning when Lowe walked and Skruck blasted a long home run to right centerfield.

In the top of the fifth inning, Zarbnisky combined with first baseman Wiseman on a solid 3-1 putout, and then he promptly picked off a Cambridge base runner at first who had reached by error. Zarbnisky then closed the inning with a strikeout on a sharp breaking curveball. In the bottom of the inning, Shiflett singled and stole second, and Parker singled him home to extend the lead to 9-4. Lowe later lined a single to left to score Parker, giving the Greyhounds a 10-4 advantage.

In the sixth inning, Pope scored its final run on a double by Wiseman and single by Shiflett before Lowe came on in the seventh to close out a great team win.

Pope evens its season record at 3-3 with the win and plays next on Monday 3/11/13 at home against Forsyth Central. Starting time for the game is 5:55pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Cambridge game, click here.

3/6/13 Pope vs. OsborneFinal: Pope 15, Osborne 0

Pope 1-Hits Osborne; Homers by Lowe, Parker, and Smith Lead the Way

Pope combined a 17-hit offensive attack with strong pitching from Nathaniel Lowe, Chris Habla and Cameron Allison to crush the Osborne Cardinals in a 15-0 game that ended by run rule after 5 innings.

The Greyhounds set the tempo immediately with an 8-run first inning on 8 hits, sending 12 hitters to the plate. Leadoff hitter Jacob Culberson reached base on an error by the Osborne pitcher, and Carl Williams followed with a single to right to put two runners on base. Lowe then crushed a 3-run homer to right field for a 3-0 lead.

Stephen Skruck and Johnny Flading each followed with singles, and Patrick Wiseman’s double brought home another run for a 4-0 lead. Brett Lyle singled in a run, and Mason Shiflett followed with a sacrifice fly to right to extend the lead to 6-0. After Jared Parker reached on a fielder’s choice and Culberson singled, Williams tripled off the fence in right to plate both runs and round out the big first inning.

In the third inning, Pope put up 3 more runs on doubles by Logan Taylor and Lowe, before Wes Smith drilled a 2-run homer to left for a commanding 11-0 lead. In the fourth, Parker homered to right field to plate another run. In the fifth inning, Joe Arcieri singled and Teddy Chambers reached on an error, and back to back doubles by Wiseman and Lyle finished the scoring at 15-0.

Pope had plenty of highlights on the hill and at the plate. All three Pope pitchers threw very effectively and combined to narrowly miss a no-hitter, allowing only 1 hit to Osborne. Offensively, Pope received multi-hit games from Williams, Lowe, Skruck, Wiseman, and Lyle.

The Greyhounds improved their season record to 2-3 with the dominating win and play Friday night at home against Cambridge at 5:55pm.

For pictures from the Pope/Osborne game, click here.

3/4/13 Pope vs. RiverwoodFinal: Riverwood 13, Pope 4

Pope Falls to Riverwood 13-4

With the weather finally warming up and in the high 50’s as the game began, Pope fell Monday evening to the Riverwood Raiders by a final score of 13-4.

Riverwood used a big inning in the first to jump to a 5-0 lead, and then put the game away in the sixth inning with 6 more runs, aided by the park’s very short right field fence.

Giving up no earned runs after the first inning, starting pitcher Patrick Wiseman settled down very effectively, striking out a total of 5 Raiders in 4 innings as he worked quickly and spotted his breaking ball well. Braden Zarbnisky also worked a solid inning in relief.

Pope put 3 runs up in the third inning and another in the fourth on a long home run to right field by Nathaniel Lowe to close the score to 5-4, but the Greyhounds scoring ended there.

Offensive highlights included hits by Carl Williams, Wes Smith (2), Jared Parker, Johnny Flading, Jacob Culberson, Lowe, and Harrison Siegal. Defensively Smith played very well at first base, and he and Lowe combined on a sparkling 5-3 putout to end the fifth inning.

Pope travels to Osborne High School on March 6 for a 5:55pm game.

For pictures from the Pope/Riverwood game, click here.

3/2/13 Fayette County vs. PopeFinal: Pope 10, Fayette County 4

Strong Team Performance in Pope’s 10-4 Victory Over Fayette County

Pope notched its first win of the 2013 baseball season with a decisive 10-4 victory over Fayette County on Saturday.

Faced with another cold day for baseball, three Pope pitchers combined for a solid outing. Starter Chip Mattiford kept the game close in his 2 innings of work, followed by 3 innings of 1-hit ball from Chris Habla, with freshman lefty Cameron Allison striking out 2 in 2 scoreless innings of relief.

Early on, Pope found itself down 3-0 before putting its first run up in the bottom of the 2nd inning, when a single by Johnny Flading, a walk by Patrick Wiseman, and a single by Wes Smith loaded the bases before Flading scored on a wild pitch by the Fayette pitcher.

The game turned in the 4th inning, when the Greyhounds stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to score 8 runs, sending 12 batters to the plate on the way to taking a commanding 9-3 lead. The inning opened with a bunt single from Jake Henson, and with the bases soon loaded on a Fayette error and a walk, Nathaniel Lowe hit an RBI single to left to move the score to 3-2. Stephen Skruck followed with a run scoring single, and successive bases-loaded walks to Flading and Wiseman, then an HBP of Smith, put 3 more runs across for Pope, which stretched its lead to 6-3. Henson then reached on a Fayette error that allowed 2 more runs to score, and Carl Williams capped the scoring with a long sacrifice fly to centerfield.

Pope added its 10th run in the bottom of the 6th inning. Smith led off with a single, and then Logan Taylor followed with a fielder’s choice. He later advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then took third on a single by Williams before scoring the final run on another Fayette wild pitch.

Offensive highlights for the Greyhounds included 10 hits from 7 different Greyhound players, including multi-hit games from Lowe, Smith, and Skruck.

Pope visits Riverwood High School on Monday 3/4 for a 5:55pm game.

For pictures from the Pope/Fayette County game, click here.

3/1/13 Pope vs. Carrollton (at University of West Georgia)Final: Carrollton 9, Pope 7

Pope Loses Close Game to Carrollton; Lowe and Skruck Hit Long Home Runs

Pope lost a close game Friday night to the Carrollton Trojans, 9-7, on a cold spring night. The game had something for all Pope fans, including home runs, a strong comeback, and some controversial calls by the umpires

With the temperature at 40 degrees as the game began, Junior Stephen Skruck started on the mound for the Greyhounds and came out strong, striking out the side in the bottom of the first inning. Skruck then led off the second inning with a long home run to left centerfield. In the bottom of the second, while on the mound he took a laser shot off his glove from the Carrollton hitter, and still made an excellent play to get the runner at first. He struck out two more hitters in the second as the inning ended with the scored tied 1-1.

In the bottom of the third, Carrollton manufactured a run on a stolen base, sacrifice fly, and a Pope error, with the score 2-1 in favor of the Trojans. In the fourth, Carrollton put up 5 runs, including 2 close calls at home plate – with Carrollton scoring a run on one, then Pope ending the inning with another.

In the fifth inning, Pope made its comeback, plating 5 runs to tie the game and quieting a noisy Carrollton crowd. The rally began with a Wes Smith walk, followed by a long double to centerfield by Johnny Flading which scored pinch runner Mason Shiflett. Jake Henson followed with a single to score Flading, and Jared Parker kept the rally alive with a double. The next batter, Jacob Culberson, singled Henson home, and Nathaniel Lowe dug in at the plate with two runners on and the chance to tie the game, then delivered with a 3-run bomb to right centerfield to tie the game at 7.

Carrollton manufactured 2 more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning using a couple Greyhound walks, some small ball, and a controversial play at first where second baseman Harrison Siegal was hit by a Carrollton base runner while covering first on a bunt attempt by the Trojans. Coach Rowland twice visited the umpire in the field to discuss the play. The Trojans later put up another run on a sacrifice fly, moving the lead to 9-7, which is where the game ended.

Pope played a solid game on a very cold evening, battling back to tie the close game before coming up short. Offensive highlights of the game included the two long home runs by Skruck and Lowe, as well as a pair of doubles by Parker.

Pope faces off with Fayette County on Saturday 3/2 at 12pm, looking for its first win of the season.

For pictures from the Pope/Carrollton game, click here.

2/27/13 – Walton vs. PopeFinal: Walton 15, Pope 4

Pope Opens 2013 With 15-4 Loss to Rival Walton

The Greyhounds opened their 2013 season Wednesday night at home against rival Walton, losing by a final score of 15-4.

Pope started the game strong, with pitcher Patrick Wiseman on the mound, working out of a small jam in the first inning by stranding two base runners with a called third strike. In the bottom of the inning, Harrison Siegal became the first Greyhound base runner when he reached on an error by the Walton shortstop. After cleanup hitter Stephen Skruck walked to put two runners on, Wiseman cleared the bases with a 2-run double off the center field wall – with pinch runner Mason Shiflett scoring the second run on a hard head-first slide into home.

In the bottom of the second inning the Greyhounds stretched the lead to 4-0 when Johnny Flading doubled to center field, Carl Williams singled to right, Jared Parker walked, and Siegal later brought Parker home with an infield single.

Things turned south in the fourth inning as the Raiders scored 10 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks to move the score to 11-4. Walton later added 3 more runs to put the game away, and the game ended after 6 innings.

The Greyhounds now turn their attention to the next game on Friday 3/1 at Carrollton (with the game being played at the University of West Georgia).

For pictures from the Pope/Walton game, click here.