Dulaney baseball blanks Catonsville, 11-0, in five innings with Matt Dow leading on the mound, at the plate
Dulaney senior pitcher Matt Dow went 4-for-4 and pitched a shutout to lead the visiting Lions to an 11-0 victory over Catonsville.How many hits he allowed is under debate.AdvertisementAccording to the official Catonsville scorebook, he allowed one hit — an infield single by Bennett Eiswert leading off the bottom of the fourth inning. Dulaney’s scorebook ruled the play an error. Eiswert reached first when he grounded to deep short where the ball was bobbled and he was ruled safe by the first-base umpire, who said after the game that the ball came loose after he already beat the throw.AdvertisementCatonsville coach Eric Warm agreed with the umpire.“I have the home book, so I’m definitely ruling it a hit, so the home book is correct,” he said. “If he fields it cleanly and would he have beat it, then the answer is ‘Yes.’One infield hit didn’t make the Comets coach any happier a day after pouring on the offense in a 9-8 victory over Perry Hall.“We had a couple good line drives right at them, Tommy [Bolster] hit a nice hard ball there at the end, but just not enough going with our bats today, plenty of base runners,” said Warm.After Dulaney scored four runs in the top of the first inning, Dow struggled with his control in the bottom of the first when he allowed a pair of one-out walks, but he got out of the inning with a fly out and ground out.In the second, Dow stroked a one-out double, fueling a two-run inning that included a run-scoring double by Liam Gaumont and sacrifice fly from Matt Carr for a 6-0 lead.Dow got in hot water again in the bottom of the second when he walked Eiswert and Cameron Turner, but he rebounded to strike out the side and escape the jam.“I was struggling a little bit on the mound. I was landing on a bit of an upslope there, so by the second inning I had to make an adjustment where I moved over on the mound and I needed to do something where I was going to fully complete my motion and work toward the plate,” Dow said. “Once I made that adjustment I was able to dial in and do what I needed to do.”AdvertisementHe finished with nine strikeouts and six walks, with only two free passes coming after the first two innings.Catonsville's Tommy Bolster waits for a pitch from Dulaney's Matt Dow in the Comets' 11-0 loss. Bolster hit a home run a day earlier in a 9-8 victory over Perry Hall. (Photo by Craig Clary)In addition to the sharp one-hopper by Bolster to shortstop Thomas Mezzulo in the fifth, the hardest hit balls were a line out to right fielder Nate Farlow by Adam Stephen and liner to second baseman Maddox Helme by Roy Brown in the third.“They [defense] did a great job,” Dow said. “It’s a great feeling on the mound knowing that my teammates have my back and that I can miss with a pitch sometimes and they are going to back me up.”His team also fed off his work at the plate as Helme and Gaumon added two hits each and Mezzulo had an RBI double. That was the Lions fourth straight win, after falling to Perry Hall, 5-0, in the opener. Since then, Dulaney has outscored opponents, 43-7.“We’ve been preaching, just attack fastballs early, attack often, just find a pitch you like because most of the time you are getting a fastball. So we are trying to really emphasize attacking fastballs, doing what we can with it and just playing solid, solid defense,” first-year head coach Max Jemellaro said. “We got off to a bumpy start against Perry Hall and then we figured it out.”AdvertisementWarm’s Comets fell to 2-3, but the coach is getting his young pitching staff plenty of experience.“I’ve had a freshman start every game this year,” said Warm, who started Braden Bates against Dulaney “The freshmen are good ballplayers and I’m having them face the top of team’s lineups. It’s helping my other pitchers settle in and get grooving through the lineups, there is some strategy behind it in getting these kids that are good baseball players getting caught up to speed at the varsity level.”
No. 13 Perry Hall baseball edges No. 8 Hereford, 3-1, behind pitcher AJ Mendoza
Perry Hall junior pitcher AJ Mendoza was in a jam in the sixth inning against Baltimore County rival Hereford on Thursday. But he welcomes those occasions.So after the visiting Bulls scratched across their first run — cutting the Gators’ lead to two — and loaded the bases with one out, Mendoza took the challenge head on.AdvertisementFirst, he struck out Bulls catcher Minki Oh. And then, at his 105-pitch limit when facing shortstop Nick Malchak, he fought back from a 3-1 count with a called second strike before getting Malchak to swing and miss for the third to end the threat. After the sixth-inning damage control was complete, reliever Nathan Banas retired the No. 8 Bulls in order as No. 13 Perry Hall secured a 3-1 win.AdvertisementPerry Hall junior pitcher AJ Mendoza escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning to help the No. 13 Gators secure a 3-1 win over No. 8 Hereford on Thursday. The Gators (3-2) manufactured three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, using a leadoff walk, their only two hits of the game and aggressive base running.Mendoza, mostly relying on his fastball and curveball with an occasional slider mixed in, allowed one run on seven hits with 11 strikeouts. He credited his brother, junior catcher Santana Mendoza, for helping get the big outs.“He called the right pitches at the right time,” AJ Mendoza said. “He knows my game and the curveball and fastball weren’t missing.”As far as working out of the sixth inning?“I was born for that,” he said. “I want all the energy. I saw the bases loaded and knew I had to do it for the team and got it done.”Hereford got a strong start from right-hander Andrew Larkin, who retired the first nine Gators before finding trouble in the fourth.AJ Mendoza led off with a walk and then stole second base. Sam Schottall grounded out to second baseman Liam Kopajtic with Mendoza running all the way home after the tough out at first. Cole Neff followed with a single and scored with two outs on a single from Banas that got past Bulls left fielder Leighton Alsip. Banas later came home on a double steal to make it 3-0.After a tough loss against Catonsville earlier in the week, Perry Hall coach Joe Carlineo was impressed with how his Gators responded in more high-pressure competition.Advertisement“I just told the guys, ‘This is like playoff baseball, this is what it’s like when you get into the state playoffs when all the little things matter,’” he said.Hereford coach Brad Duvall, whose Bulls fell to 2-3, was pleased with his pitching and defense but is still waiting on his offense to fully emerge.Varsity HighlightsWeeklyGet the latest high school sports stories, photos and video from around the region.He contested the second strike that was called on Malchak during the key at-bat that ended the sixth inning, believing the pitch was low. In the end, there were too many missed opportunities. “We threw the ball very well, we played great defense and we missed opportunities here and there offensively,” he said. “The problem today is we didn’t capitalize and it’s been a problem this season. It’s going to come. The bats looked better today and I’m starting to see us get shorter, better through the ball, hitting the ball a little cleaner. So it’s going to come in the coming weeks and I think we’re going to have a bust out.”Perry Hall 3, Hereford 1H 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 7 1AdvertisementPH 0 0 0 3 0 0 — 3 3 0A. Larkin, R. Larkin (5) and Oh; A.J. Mendoza, Banas (7) and S. Mendoza2B; H -- Kinsey
Bella Wisniewski steps up late, leading Glenelg softball to 5-4 extra inning win over Marriotts Ridge
Bella Wisniewski is one of Glenelg’s five underclassmen but doesn’t shy away from the big moment.Pitching in the eighth inning, her fourth inning of relief, Wisniewski faced a bases-loaded jam with one out and her team holding a one-run lead over Marriotts Ridge. She was about to face the Mustangs’ leadoff hitter Jasmine Smith when coach Anna Pallozzi came out for a mound visit.Advertisement“Just keep it simple and keep it calm,” Pallozzi said of her message. “I had full faith that she could close it out for us if she stayed true to herself and stayed relaxed.”Wisniewski struck out Smith for the second out, then got Jasmin Kirkland to pop out to shortstop, sealing the 5-4 victory.Advertisement“Getting the strikeout definitely helped because it reassured me that I got two outs,” Wisniewski said. “It also made my team have more confidence and realize that we have one more out and we can get this win right here.”Wisniewski also made an impact with her bat in extras. With the game tied at 3 and a runner on second, Marriotts Ridge coach Renard Parson elected to intentionally walk Nia Stewart, in the midst of a two-hit day, to face Wisniewski. She made the Mustangs pay for that decision. She launched a ball to deep right field, driving in a pair of runners to give the Gladiators a 5-3 lead.“I said, ‘OK this is my time’,” Wisniewski said. “My two at-bats previously weren’t great, but right here is where I can shine, put a ball in play and make an impact here.”Bella Wisniewski pitches during Thursday's game against Marriotts Ridge. Wisniewski earned the win throwing four innings in relief. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Baltimore Sun Media)Howard County Times: Top storiesWeekdaysDaily highlights from Howard County's number one source for local news.The teams exchanged runs in the first inning as the Gladiators (5-0) scored on a Mustangs throwing error, while Marriotts Ridge scored an RBI single by Gianna Pelosu. The Mustangs (2-3) tacked on a run in the second inning on an RBI double by Giuliana Marsili. The score held until Glenelg got its bats going in the fifth. Freshman Rylie Thomas hit a leadoff single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Pence. Reese Holden and Kenzie Robinson laced back-to-back singles, with Holden scoring on an RBI groundout by Mackenzie Mayers.“Rylie Thomas came up and rocketed one to the outfield for us and got things going,” Pallozzi said. “We relaxed and got our bats back. We’ve had a few games where we’ve had a little slower starts offensively and I think today was one of them, but when we wake up, we wake up.”Glenelg's Amelia Ortwein makes a play on a fly ball to right field during Thursday's game against Marriotts Ridge. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Baltimore Sun Media)The Gladiators seemed poised to extend their lead in the top of the sixth, but a triple play ended the inning. Thomas flew out to left, Wisniewski was tagged out at second and Stewart was called out for leaving third base early. Marriotts Ridge took advantage in the bottom half of the inning. Brynne Mellady scored on a single to left by Schroyer, tying the game at 3.AdvertisementAfter Glenelg took the lead in the top of the eighth, Marriotts Ridge got one back in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single from Sienna Williams. However, it was the Mustangs’ last hit of the game as they struggled to generate consecutive timely hits.“I think we have to be a little bit more selective in those situations and hit our pitch,” Parson said. “Right now we’re doing a great job of being aggressive, but we’re not selectively aggressive. We’re hitting the pitcher’s pitch and we’re not getting solid contact and producing runners in scoring position. It’s another game where we got double digit hits, but scored four runs.”
No. 1 St. Paul’s girls lacrosse holds off No. 8 Maryvale, 9-8, in early IAAM A Conference test
As the nation’s top-ranked girls lacrosse team, St. Paul’s knows it will always face the best effort each opponent has to offer.On Thursday, No. 8 Maryvale’s second-half effort nearly cost the Gators a game they once controlled.AdvertisementPaced by junior Ryan Kinkead’s five goals — all after the break — the host Lions stormed back from an early four-goal deficit to push the two-time defending Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference champions to their limit. In the end, however, St. Paul’s held on for a 9-8 win in a key early-season conference game.“We kept a good team around. You have to put a good team away early … and that’s something we can get better at,” Gators coach Mary Gagnon said. “We’re going to be tested. This is a good team [and] everybody is waiting for this game. There is pressure, which is fine. A lot of teams in our position have pressure. They’ve just got to handle it.”AdvertisementNatalie Shurtleff and Karina Herrera scored two goals each for the Gators (8-0, 5-0 conference), who entered the day as the No. 1 team in the ILWomen Top 25 High School Power Rankings. Time and again, however, they missed out on key scoring opportunities that could’ve extended their lead, including twice on point-blank shots in man-up situations in the second half.Maryvale's Colleen Ferrarese, left, Megan Droney, back left, and Reagan Kuehn (11) corral St. Paul's Caroline Hoskins during Thursday's IAAM A Conference game. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)Senior goalie Abby Francioli (Richmond) made eight saves for Maryvale (6-2, 3-2), which has come agonizingly close to wins over a pair of top-five national powers following last week’s 12-11 loss to No. 4 McDonogh.“When you’re building a program, you don’t want to be just content to be there,” Maryvale coach Brian Reese said. “We have the ability to get to that next level. We can’t be happy with just losing by a couple goals. There are no moral victories. We’ve just got to keep working until the next time we play we’re a little better than them.”This one looked like it might be a rout, with St. Paul’s controlling play early and running out to a 4-1 lead on Frannie Hahn’s solo effort 7:37 before halftime. The Gators still led, 7-3, before the Lions mounted their comeback bid midway through the second half.They scored six times on 8-meter shots, pulling to within a goal on Kinkead’s free position with 5:12 left. Playing without top draw specialist Anna Regan, who picked up her second yellow card and was forced to the bench midway through the second half, the Gators responded with back-to-back goals by Shurtleff and Caroline Hoskins to briefly push their lead back to three.But St. Paul’s also hurt its own cause by failing to score on three man-up situations.“I think the big thing for us … is we need to stay more spread, and I think that’s what’s kind of inhibiting us in the man-up situations,” Shurtleff said. “I feel like once we get that down, we’ll be fine.”Maryvale's Ryan Kinkead, left, fires a penalty shot past St. Paul's goalie Julia Lee as Noel Cumberland defends during Thursday's IAAM A Conference game. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)Maryvale nearly made its last-ditch push pay off, first pulling to with two on Sam Paradise’s goal with 1:05 left, then making it a one-goal game when senior Elizabeth Garcia forced a turnover on St. Paul’s goalie Susan Radebaugh and scooped in the loose ball with 16 seconds left.AdvertisementBut that’s where the run ended, with St. Paul’s junior Kira Balis getting the ball to teammates on the ensuing draw, and the Gators running out the clock.Varsity HighlightsWeeklyGet the latest high school sports stories, photos and video from around the region.“This was good for us,” Gagnon said. “We need to finish better on offense, our opportunities. We jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but we had opportunities to make it 6-2, 7-1, and we didn’t.”Maryvale still hasn’t defeated St. Paul’s since the 2012 IAAM A Conference semifinals — a string of 10 straight losses to its Falls Road neighbor.“I thought our defensive effort was really good. Holding a team to nine goals is pretty impressive,” Reese said. “I’m really proud of the girls, the way they fought until the very end.”“Typical IAAM game,” Gagnon said. “Two good teams and it’s not even April. Lacrosse is a game of runs. I think we had opportunities throughout the game to really put the game away. We didn’t finish well.“Runs fluster you, and we’re still a young team. We have to remember that people want to beat us, so we have to face a lot of that pressure and just have to get used to it. We have to handle the pressure a little bit better down the stretch.”AdvertisementSt. Paul’s 9, Maryvale 8Goals: SP-N. Shurtleff 2, K. Herrera 2, Hahn, O’Day, Hoskins, Steer, Vasile; M-Kinkead 5, Cumberland, Paradise, Garcia. Assists: SP-Hahn, Steer, Shurtleff; M-Reese. Saves: SP-Radebaugh 2; M-Francioli 8. Half: St. Paul’s, 4-1.
High school sports roundup (March 30)
Here’s a roundup of high school varsity action from Thursday, March 30. Broadneck 11, Kent Island 5: The Bruins got three goals from Jackson Shaw to lead the win. Ryan Della, Tanner Boone and Tyler Hicks each scored twice, while Brooks Chatios had a goal and an assist.AdvertisementPark 10, Key 5: Key got two goals from Kasper Kelly and single goals from Reid Chapman, Davis Chapman, James Madison and Edward Bulmer. Christian Dent made five saves. Patterson Mill 20, Bo Manor 0: Taylor Brown needed to make just three saves to earn the shutout. Offensively, Addison Harmel led with five goals. Ava Lopano and Rylie Madsen each had three goals and an assist, while Samantha Chittum finished with two goals and three assists. Riley Crain also scored twice.AdvertisementHarford Tech 15, Elkton 3: The Cobras moved to 3-1 behind five goals each from Sadie Atkinson and Jordan Strang. Atkinson also had a team-high three assists. Lauren Kunes added two goals and Nina Humpf handed out two assists. In goal, Megan Trostle (6) and Annika DeVos (2) combined for eight saves.St. Mary’s 15, Roland Park 5: Megan O’Hare scored five goals, Grace Mitchell had four goals and Camryn Pfundstein had three goals and two assists to lead the visiting Saints (2-4, 2-4 Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference) over the Reds (2-5, 2-4). St. Mary’s led 9-5 in the first half.Notre Dame Prep 10, Gerstell 6: Ava Reed made 11 saves, but the host Falcons (4-5, 0-4 IAAM A Conference) fell to the Blazers (6-1, 5-1). The win was the third straight.Centennial 13, Hammond 2: Kaitlyn McManus scored four goals, while Jane Baldy and Gabi Bieberich each had hat tricks in the win for the Eagles (2-2). Helen Baldy thrived as a facilitator with seven assists, while Claire Whipkey also had two goals and two assists. For Hammond (1-3), Katie Lindenmann and Riley Proctor scored.C. Milton Wright 4, Patterson Mill 1: Brandon Tolson went 3-for-3 with a triple and an RBI to lead the Mustangs (3-1). Thomas Cannavale, Ryan Niedzialkowski and Jon Hanifee also drove in runs. Cole Williams and Paul Kulaga combined for a seven-hitter, with Williams striking out six in 5 ⅓ innings.Varsity HighlightsWeeklyGet the latest high school sports stories, photos and video from around the region.Pikesville 12, Landsdowne 2: Haley Bohrer worked five innings, gave up one hit and struck out eight as the host Panthers beat the Vikings. Bohrer went 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Perry Hall 9, Towson 5: After scoring five runs in the top of the first, the Gators held off the Generals, putting the game away with three more runs in the seventh. Rileigh Kitchin had two hits and three RBIs to lead the win. Jenna Neff had a hit and two RBIs. Marin Harris had three hits and an RBI for Towson, who outhit Perry Hall, 12-5. Hereford 17, Kenwood 1: Aly Wegerzyn had four hits and three RBIs to lead the Bulls past the Blue Birds. Alyssa McCaffery added three hits and an RBI. Morgan Ford doubled, singled and drove in three runs, while Taylor Roberts had two hits and two RBIs. AdvertisementMarriotts Ridge 5, Glenelg 0: Rafa Feldman and Felipe Arantes Gabriel earned commanding singles victories 8-2 and 8-0, respectively. The doubles pairings of Colin Wang and Tobi Ijiyemi, Sam Lim and Alex Yang, Tyler Wang and Sai Anuj Chodavarapu each won their matches.Marriotts Ridge 5, Glenelg 0: Charita Sandoze and Stella Lee each won their singles matches handedly 8-1. The doubles pairings of Maria Ottman and Erika Kang, Christina Ottman and Vin Badugu, and Haeli Shah and Sandrine Roh each won their matches.Fallston 7, Patterson Mill 4: Sarah King and Jesse Killian earned singles wins for the Cougars, Kilian winning the second boys singles match in a third-set tiebreaker. Doubles wins came from the teams of Ryan Blair and Colby Resch, Kael Sturgis and Gordo Lefkowitz, Camryn Barrett and Mehagn Perez, and Jack Price and Lindsey Dettloff, all in straight sets. Wins for the Huskies came from Jack Baker, Victor Wallace and Alexa Benedict in singles play. Kylee Connors and Jessica Kim won the first girls doubles match. To submit scores and stats, email mdscores@baltsun.com with a full box score, including first and last names of the players.
Adley Rutschman makes history with homer, 5-for-5 day in Orioles’ season-opening 10-9 win over Red Sox
BOSTON — Much of the discussion surrounding the roster the Orioles put together for the 2023 season focused on who wasn’t on it. They didn’t sign a marquee free agent. They didn’t swing a big trade. Top-ranked prospects Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall and Jordan Westburg will open the season in the minors.But any qualm one might take with Baltimore’s opening day roster could be negated by this: It includes Adley Rutschman.AdvertisementThe Orioles’ star catcher shined in his first opening day game Thursday, homering in his first at-bat and reaching base five more times to lead Baltimore to a 10-9 victory against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Rutschman became the first player since 1937 to go 5-for-5 or better with a home run on opening day. He is the first catcher with five hits on opening day since at least 1900, according to ESPN Stats and Info.He was positioned to break camp with the Orioles in 2022, but a right tricep strain delayed his debut until May. Despite his late arrival, he earned Most Valuable Oriole honors and finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting, fueling Baltimore’s turnaround. The Orioles played at an 89-win pace with Rutschman on the roster, going 16-24 before his arrival.AdvertisementThursday continued to show his influence. On his first swing of the year, Rutschman launched a sinker from Corey Kluber out to right field at 104.5 mph, sending it a projected 402 feet. It made the 25-year-old the youngest Oriole to homer in his first at-bat of an opening day game since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1984.Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman hits an RBI single in the seventh inning Thursday against the Red Sox in Boston. He is the first catcher with five hits on opening day since at least 1900, according to ESPN Stats and Info. (Charles Krupa/AP)He singled in the third but was thrown out at second, an awkward slide causing him to kick Boston second baseman Christian Arroyo in the head. He was again thrown out on an RBI hit in the seventh, with a walk and two-run single between.The only other catchers to reach base five or more times while homering in a season opener were Yogi Berra in 1956, Todd Handley in 1995 and Jason Varitek in 2002. Carlton Fisk reached four times and homered in his first opening day game; both Varitek and Fisk’s feats came for the Red Sox.The only plate appearance in which Rutschman didn’t record a hit came in the Orioles’ four-run fourth, when he drew a walk. Top overall prospect Gunnar Henderson, serving as Baltimore’s designated hitter, led off the frame with his second walk, and third baseman Ramón Urías followed with a home run over the Green Monster. One batter later, newcomer Adam Frazier doubled, and Jorge Mateo singled before his first of two steals. A series of walks, Rutschman’s among them, gave Baltimore enough separation even as Boston rallied.Baltimore Orioles InsiderWeeklyWant to be an Orioles Insider? The Sun has you covered. Don't miss any Orioles news, notes and info all baseball season and beyond.Through five innings, veteran starter Kyle Gibson had allowed two runs, both following blunders in the Orioles’ outfield. Another came in the sixth and chased Gibson from the game, with the two runners he left on base for Keegan Akin both scoring. Another outfield misplay came in the eighth, with three runs scoring off Bryan Baker.Félix Bautista allowed two runs and the potential winning run to come to the plate in the ninth but escaped, striking out Adam Duvall with a runner on second.This story will be updated.Orioles at Red SoxAdvertisementSaturday, 4:10 p.m.TV: MASN2Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
Under Armour extends endorsement deal with NBA superstar Steph Curry
Under Armour has extended its deal with NBA superstar Steph Curry, one of the Baltimore brand’s most high-profile athletes for a decade.The sports apparel and footwear maker said Thursday it reached an “enhanced” agreement with the Golden State Warriors point guard and four-time NBA champion that will help the brand capture market share, fuel business growth and create new global business opportunities.AdvertisementCurry, known for his signature line of Under Armour basketball shoes, has been elevated to president of Curry Brand under the company’s umbrella. In that role, the athlete is expected to direct product development and business and marketing initiatives, and expand from basketball into other categories, including golf, women, youth and sportstyle.“Stephen is one of the greatest talents of our generation,” Kevin Plank, Under Armour’s executive chair and brand chief, said in a news release Thursday. “He is an integral part of the Under Armour family.”AdvertisementUnder Armour did not disclose terms of the deal. According to reports in September, Curry had reportedly been close to reaching a potentially $1 billion lifetime extension of his Under Armour contract.Curry has been an Under Armour athlete since 2013, releasing 10 signature Curry shoes and contributing to the development of product lines such as UA Charged, UA HOVR, UA Warp and UA Flow, a cushioning technology used in Curry shoes.“If the past ten years have shown me anything, it’s that Under Armour and I can build great things together,” Curry said in the announcement. “It’s all about impacting athletes and creating products that perform and resonate with them, and Under Armour does it best.”
Maryland’s Diamond Miller declares for WNBA draft; guard is projected to be No. 2 overall pick
The next time Maryland women’s basketball fans will watch Diamond Miller on the court is in a WNBA uniform.Miller, a 6-foot-3 senior shooting guard for the Terps, on Thursday declared for the WNBA draft, which is scheduled for April 10. She is projected to go as high as No. 2 overall, trailing only South Carolina 6-5 forward Aliyah Boston.AdvertisementMiller, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and a second-team All-American by the Associated Press this past season, led the Terps in points (19.7), rebounds (6.4) and steals (2.1), ranked second in minutes (28.6) and was tied for second in assists (2.9). Her scoring average was the most by a Maryland player since Brionna Jones also scored 19.7 points per game in 2016-17.Miller capped a stellar four-year career at Maryland by finishing 10th in program history in all-time scoring with 1,706 points and seventh in NCAA Tournament scoring with 180 points. She set a single-season record for free throws made with 201 and moved into fourth in points with 671.AdvertisementMaryland's Diamond Miller, celebrating during a game against Arizona on March 19, declared for the WNBA draft on Wednesday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)Miller, the only returning starter from last year’s squad that went 23-9 and reached the Sweet 16, helped Maryland forge a 28-7 record and collect a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to overall No. 1 seed South Carolina, 86-75, in the Elite Eight on Monday night. In that setback, she scored 19 of her game-high 24 points in the second half and added five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.When coach Brenda Frese pulled Miller from the game with 79 seconds remaining in regulation, the two shared a long embrace on the sideline with the coach speaking to the player. After the game, Frese shared what she said to Miller.“Just how much I loved her, how proud I was of her,” Frese said. “Just, thank you. It’s been an incredible journey that she trusted to this coaching staff, and to continue to be here at Maryland. Had nothing to hang her head about. She left everything out there and poured into it for us this entire season.”Senior guard Abby Meyers and graduate transfer guard Elisa Pinzan also declared for the draft. The 6-foot Meyers, a Princeton transfer and Potomac native, was named second-team All-Big Ten after averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in her lone season in College Park. The 5-8 Pinzan finished her five-year career at South Florida and Maryland with 1,031 points, 644 assists, 376 rebounds and 171 steals.Miller and Pinzan had the opportunity to return to Maryland for another season after the NCAA in 2021 granted every winter sport athlete an additional year of eligibility as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.In addition to Miller’s impending departure, freshman Mila Reynolds, a four-star recruit out of high school, announced that she will enter the transfer portal. The 6-3 forward appeared in 22 games and averaged 1.0 points and 0.9 rebounds. Her younger sister, 6-0 point guard Amiyah Reynolds, is a member of the incoming recruiting class.“Thank you to all those who have supported me through the ups and downs of my freshman year at Maryland, especially my family,” she wrote via Twitter. “I’ll be looking for a home and opportunity to leverage all I’ve learned over the past year. Somewhere I can use my gifts and abilities to help win games and make a community proud.”Later on Wednesday, 6-0 point guard Amiyah Reynolds, Mila’s younger sister and four-star recruit who is a member of incoming class of freshmen, announced she had decommitted from the Terps and will seek a new destination.Advertisement“Due to recent events and changes in circumstances, I’ve decided to open up my recruitment as of today,” she said via Twitter. “I’ve been released from my NLI contract with the University of Maryland and will be moving forward in finding a new home that I believe fits me in all aspects.”This story might be updated.
George Mason hires Maryland men’s basketball assistant Tony Skinn as head coach
Tony Skinn, an assistant coach for the Maryland men’s basketball team, has been hired by George Mason to fill its head coaching vacancy.Skinn spent just one season with the Terps, joining coach Kevin Willard’s staff last March after one year at Big Ten rival Ohio State. Skinn had been a member of Willard’s staff for three seasons at Seton Hall from 2018 to 2021.AdvertisementSkinn succeeds Kim English, who was hired March 23 to replace Ed Cooley at Providence. Cooley was wooed away by Georgetown on March 20.“It is with great excitement that I return home to George Mason,” Skinn said in a release. “We will set our standards high, hustle every step of the way and compete amongst the best. It’s an unbelievable feeling to step back on campus. I’ve had some of my greatest memories here and I’m looking forward to making new ones with our fans and our community. Our best days are ahead! Mason Nation, I missed you and I am honored to represent you.”AdvertisementTony Skinn, right, who spent three seasons at Seton Hall and then one season at Maryland with coach Kevin Willard, left, played for three years at George Mason and contributed to the program’s run in 2006 to its first Final Four appearance. This past season, Skinn contributed to Maryland earning a 22-13 record that included a 16-1 record at Xfinity Center and a 10-0 mark at home against conference opponents. The team also was awarded the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, helped Willard become the first coach to guide the program to 20-plus wins, a national ranking and the postseason in his debut, and edged No. 9 seed West Virginia in the first round before falling to overall No. 1 seed Alabama in the second round.“Tony Skinn is the right man for this moment in Mason’s basketball program,” George Mason University President Gregory Washington said in a release. “His coaching style will galvanize our student-athletes and his connection to our finest hour on the court is sure to electrify our alumni and fans.”Skinn, who was born in Nigeria and grew up in Takoma Park, played three seasons with the Patriots, becoming a 1,000-point scorer and a two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection. In 2006, Skinn played a major role in George Mason earning an at-large bid as a No. 11 seed and upsetting No. 6 seed Michigan State, No. 3 seed North Carolina, No. 7 seed Wichita State and No. 1 seed Connecticut to make its first Final Four appearance. He averaged 12.6 points that season.Skinn played professionally in Europe. In 2012, he was a member of the Nigerian national team that finished third at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas, Venezuela, and earned a berth in the 2012 Olympics in London.Skinn will inherit a Patriots team that compiled a 20-13 overall record and an 11-7 mark in the Atlantic 10 to enter the conference’s tournament as a No. 5 seed, matching program bests in Atlantic 10 victories and tournament seeding and reaching 20 victories for the first time since 2016-17. But the season ended in an 82-54 thumping by No. 4 seed St. Louis in a quarterfinal on March 9.
Orioles finalize season-opening 26-man roster
BOSTON — Hours before beginning their 2023 season, the Orioles put the finishing touches on their 26-man roster for Thursday’s opening day matchup at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.Baltimore’s roster had featured 31 players since the cuts that followed Monday’s spring training finale, with a swap of bullpen candidates taking place Tuesday to keep that figure in place. Needing to reduce it by five, the Orioles placed four veterans — pitchers John Means (60-day), Mychal Givens (15-day) and Dillon Tate (15-day) and catcher James McCann (10-day) — on the injured list and optioned right-hander Joey Krehbiel to Triple-A Norfolk.AdvertisementIt’s been known throughout spring that the Orioles would open the season without Means and Tate. Means isn’t expected to return from last year’s Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery until July at the earliest, and executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias announced Tate’s right forearm strain early in camp, saying it would keep him out through at least April. But McCann’s left oblique strain and Givens’ left knee inflammation came on late in the exhibition slate, meaning two of the Baltimore’s five significant offseason additions won’t be on the opening day roster.Two of the others will pitch in this opening series, with veteran Kyle Gibson, signed for $10 million in December, starting Thursday’s season opener and trade acquisition Cole Irvin on the mound in Sunday’s finale. Filling out the Orioles’ rotation are three incumbent right-handers; Dean Kremer occupies the rotation spot between Gibson and Irvin, and Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells beat out top prospect Grayson Rodriguez for their backend roles.AdvertisementAlong with Cionel Pérez and Bryan Baker, Givens and Tate were expected to serve as setup men for closer Félix Bautista, but their injuries opened bullpen spots for two other right-handers in Logan Gillaspie and Mike Baumann. Over recent days, picking two out of Krehbiel, Gillaspie and Baumann to make the roster seemed to be the Orioles’ final decision, barring another acquisition.They had already added one pitcher who didn’t make another team’s opening day roster in left-hander Danny Coulombe, acquiring him from the Minnesota Twins for cash and adding him to the roster by returning Rule 5 draft pick Andrew Politi to the Red Sox.Baltimore Orioles InsiderWeeklyWant to be an Orioles Insider? The Sun has you covered. Don't miss any Orioles news, notes and info all baseball season and beyond.Keegan Akin and Austin Voth offer manager Brandon Hyde a left-right tandem of long relievers.With McCann’s side preventing him from serving as Adley Rutschman’s backup to start the year, the Orioles selected Anthony Bemboom’s contract, opening a 40-man roster spot by placing Means on the 60-day IL.Offensively, the Orioles return many of last season’s key figures, boosted by the possibility of full seasons from Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, baseball’s former and current top overall prospect.With McCann sidelined, second baseman Adam Frazier, signed for $8 million, is the only position player on Baltimore’s roster who didn’t play for the club in 2022. Joining him and Henderson on the infield are Ryan Mountcastle, Jorge Mateo, Ramón Urías and Terrin Vavra, who along with outfielder Kyle Stowers claimed Baltimore’s final offensive roster spots by beating out a large group of nonroster invitees who were vying to serve as left-handed corner bats.The Orioles sent Ryan O’Hearn, Josh Lester and Lewin Díaz to the minors and released Franchy Cordero and Nomar Mazara; although Elias expressed interest in re-signing Cordero after his impressive spring, the 28-year-old reportedly agreed to a deal with the New York Yankees on Wednesday.Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and Austin Hays all played in at least 145 games last year and return as the starting outfield this season. Stowers could get ample opportunities filling in for the trio and at designated hitter, especially against right-handed pitchers. Ryan McKenna returns to the role he served in last season of offering defense and speed off the bench.Advertisement