Centreville Baseball Finds Success

The baseball program has never won a Concorde District tournament championship in the school's history. After last night's 7-5 win over Oakton they are 12-2 (3-1 Concorde) and have a big showdown on Tuesday night at Chantilly vs. the Chargers (10-2, 3-0).

The closest they have come to winning one was in 2010 when they won the regular season district championship but lost to Westfield in the tournament championship game. That was also the last season the Wildcats made the Northern Region Tournament, a trip they have made two of the last three seasons. Sixth-year head coach Morgan Spencer knows how important each game is as the team gets ready to start the second rotation of district play late next week.

The Wildcats have three seniors on the team this season that will continue their careers in college: infielder Kevin Lachance (University of Maryland-Baltimore County), catcher Bobby San Martin (James Madison University) and outfielder Texas Williams (Temple University). They are three of the 10 seniors on the team this year, so as you can tell it is an experienced team.

Last season the Wildcats finished 8-13 and lost to Chantilly in the first round of the district tournament. Lachance, San Martin, Williams, and sophomore Scott Walter are just four of the players who received some sort of district honors last season. More leadership will come from three other seniors who helped lead Centreville's football team to the state championship this past fall: infielder Mark Behne, pitcher/infielder Mitch Ferrick and outfielder Bret Fite.

Centreville is also looking to break a record for most wins in a single season in school history. The current record is 17 set back in 2001 under former head coach and Washington Redskin tight end Don Warren. That year they lost in the state tournament to current Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bill Bray. The following year the Wildcats faced Ryan Zimmerman, who is now a star player for the Washington Nationals.

The Wildcats have posted four shutouts this season and have had some close games lately with five of the last six decided by one or two runs. With six games remaining in the regular season, Centreville is proving that they belong at the top of the district and should be respected throughout the rest of the region with powerhouses like McLean, Madison, Lake Braddock, and South County. Another big incentive for the Concorde District is that the top two teams at the end of the regular season get first round district tournament byes and automatic berths into the regional tournament.

Varsity Concorde District Standings as of Thursday, April 19, 2012

1. Chantilly (10-2, 3-0)
2. Centreville (12-2, 3-1)
3. Robinson (6-6, 2-1)
4. Westfield (8-4, 1-2)
5. Herndon (8-2, 1-2)
6. Oakton (6-6, 0-4)

Chantilly at Robinson and at Herndon Friday starts at 6:30 p.m.

The JV team sits at 8-0 (4-0) after last night's win over Oakton 7-4. The team is made up of 15 freshmen and nine sophomores. Some of these players hope to make an impact on the varsity team next season after 10 seniors graduate this spring.

The Wildcats have something to look forward to with freshman Matthew Blaise whose fielding has been compared to that of current Washington Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel. In the win last night sophomores Matt Ellis and Zach Thurston led the team while collecting three of the teams six hits and three RBI.

First-year JV head coach Scott Findley is having lots of success with his young team, but he knows that there is always room for improvement. Especially with a huge match-up Tuesday night vs. another undefeated team in Chantilly. That game will be at Centreville with a 6:30 p.m. start time. The JV team has also posted four shutouts to start the season.

JV Concorde District Standings as of April 19, 2012

1. Centreville (8-0, 4-0)
2. Chantilly (7-0, 3-0)
3. Westfield (3-4, 1-2)
4. Robinson (3-3, 1-2)
5. Herndon (3-4, 1-2)
6. Oakton (2-5, 0-4)

Robinson is at Chantilly and Herndon is at Westfield Friday. 6:30 p.m. start times.