NU women's rugby starts out ahead of pack

The good news just keeps on coming from Norwich women's rugby. I unabashedly admit I love this team! Such a great story, year after year. It never gets old. Good luck to coach Hall and the Cadets this spring. Expect to hear lots more good stuff about them in the coming months - and years!

-Anna Grearson

Women’s Rugby: RugbyMag.com touts Norwich #1

NORTHFIELD, VT. – Norwich University, the 2011 USA Rugby Collegiate Sevens champions, was picked atop the first Division II spring poll compiled by RugbyMag.com. The announcement was made March 7.

The Cadets, sporting an 18-1 record with the Sevens matches included, won the Division II Northeast Qualifiers’ tournament last November with a 46-0 victory over Vassar College of New York. The decision earned them a spot in USA Rugby’s Collegiate Sweet 16 National Championship tournament this spring. Coach Austin Hall’s squad goes to Princeton, New Jersey, for its section where they will face Rutgers in one of two semifinals April 21.

Norwich’s spring schedule opens March 24 with a trip to Penn State University in University Park, Penn. It is a doubleheader with the Cadets’ men’s program.

The complete RugbyMag.com Division II women’s poll can be viewed at http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3683:women-dii-college-top-25-march-7-2012&catid=139:rankings-rugbymag-premier&Itemid=379.

 

Montpelier, U-32 girls basketball renews playoff rivalry tonight

The Montpelier girls basketball team will travel just up the road to face rival U-32 in tonight's Division II playdown in East Montpelier. The No. 6 Raiders stand at 12-8 while the No. 11 Solons are 9-11.

The two teams split during the regular season, each winning at home. U-32 beat Montpelier 53-24 in East Montpelier on Feb. 14, and Montpelier won at home 42-38 on Jan. 12. That Raider loss started a skid of five losses in six games. Montpelier won five of its nine wins on the road. Of U-32's 12 wins, eight were at home.

Both teams are on streaks, though opposite ones. U-32 has won six of its last seven while Montpelier has dropped four of its last seven.

The winner of tonight's 6 p.m. matchup will play the winner of No. 3 Fair Haven and No. 14 Bellows Falls in the quarterfinals on Friday at 7 p.m.

I'd give a prediction, but I honestly think this one's too close to call. It's definitely one of those early round games that can go either way. Records and seedings are thrown out the window whenever these two schools meet, regardless of sport or level of play. This area is lucky to have such a deeply rooted rivalry to kick off its Division II girls tournament.

What are your thoughts?

-Anna Grearson

Mountaineers in the Big Show

There's been lots of exciting news about former Vermont Mountaineers lately, but I've just barely been able to sift through it all.

Here's a link to Darin Mastroianni's spring training highlight sent by current VTM GM Brian Gallagher from a game last week against the Red Sox (what is with former Mountaineers doing awesome against the Red Sox? David Carpenter made his debut for the Astros against the Red Sox and I don't think he gave up a hit).

Also, this:

Over 15 NECBL Alumni Ranked as a Top 20 Prospect by MLB.com

MLB.com recently released their top 20 prospects for each Major League organization. 17 NECBL alumni were on these prestigious lists, representing 15 Big League organizations.   Players are listed in order of their ranking within the organization. The NECBL congratulates those on this list who are part of the over 75 alumni who have appeared in the Major Leagues, and eagerly anticipates the imminent debuts of those who have yet to get a call up.   Player: Mike Olt, 3B Organization and Rank: Texas, #3 prospect What MLB.com said: "He chased the home run and RBI records in the fall and was named the number six prospect in the AFL by MLB.com...he is a good defender at third to boot." 2011 season summary: The supplemental first round pick in 2010 slugged .504 in 69 games with High-A Carolina NECBL Highlight: Hit .279 and slugged .469 as an All-Star for the 2008 Danbury Westerners   Player: Ryan Lavarnway, Catcher Organization and Rank: Boston, #4 prospect What MLB.com said: "As a sixth round pick out of a school like Yale...a player will have to prove himself at every level. Lavarnway has done just that, especially with the bat." 2011 season summary: Slugged .563 in 2011 and played in 17 games in the Majors NECBL Highlight: Had a .462 on base percentage during an All-Star summer with the 2007 Manchester Silkworms   Player: Scott Barnes, LHP Organization and Rank: Cleveland, #5 prospect What MLB.com said: "Barnes had a very solid bounce back season in 2011. Perhaps he may have even earned a September call-up but he tore an ACL in July, ending his season. He's healthy again and ready to knock on that Big League door." 2011 season summary: Struck out 90 in 88 innings in Triple-A NECBL Highlight: Had a 1.61 ERA in seven appearances for the 2006 Holyoke Giants   Player: Sean Gilmartin, LHP Organization and Rank: Atlanta, #6 prospect What MLB.com said: "The Braves' first round pick last June, he is the prototypical college lefty, one who throws strikes, mixes pitches and should move quickly through the system." 2011 season summary: Posted a 2.53 ERA in 5 starts for Class-A Rome, where he struck out 30 in 21.1 innings NECBL Highlight: Appeared in 11 games for the 2009 North Shore Navigators as a position player    Player: A.J. Pollock, OF Organization and Rank: Arizona, #6 prospect What MLB.com said: "He picked up where he left off in 2011 (after a suffering a fractured elbow in 2010), serving as one of the key ingredients in Double-A Mobile's Southern League championship." 2011 season summary: Hit .307, stole 36 bases and rapped 41 doubles for Double-A Mobile NECBL Highlight: Hit .348-5th best in the NECBL- and led the League with 15 doubles as a freshman for the 2007 Vermont Mountaineers. Pollock was a first round draft pick in 2009   Player: Adam Conley, LHP Organization and Rank: Miami, #7 prospect What MLB.com said: "He has a plus fastball, one that gains a few ticks when he is coming out of the bullpen, with plenty of sink." 2011 season summary: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 and pitched 2 scoreless Gulf Coast innings. NECBL Highlight: Had 0.00 ERA in eight appearances for the 2009 Keene Swamp Bats, allowing just 14 hits in 34 innings   Player: Matt Adams, 1B Organization and Rank: St. Louis, #9 prospect What MLB.com said: "Simply put, Adams can flat out hit. With a career .316/.365/.552 line, he has produced wherever he has been." 2011 season summary: Hit .300 with 32 home runs in Double-A and was named the Texas League MVP.   NECBL Highlight: Won the NECBL MVP Award in 2008 with the Pittsfield Dukes and finished in the top 4 in all three Triple Crown categories   Player: Chris Dominguez, 3B Organization and Rank: San Francisco, #9 prospect What MLB.com said: "Power hitting third basemen are always a good commodity to have and Dominguez has the chance to fit the profile well. He's always been known for his raw power." 2011 season summary: Hit 18 homers between High-A and Double-A in 2011. Dominguez was a third round selection in 2009 NECBL Highlight: Led the NECBL with 11 homers in 2006 as a member of the Newport Gulls   Player: Steve Lombardozzi, INF Organization and Rank: Washington, #10 prospect What MLB.com said: "All of the baseball clichés- baseball rat, grinder, hard nosed- fit the gritty infielder. He knows how to play the game the right way and all of his tools play up because of his all out style and baseball IQ." 2011 season summary: The switch hitter batted .294 at Triple-A and stole 30 bases. He made his Major League debut last year NECBL Highlight: Played in seven games for the 2007 Holyoke Blue Sox   Player: Christian Friedrich, LHP Organization and Rank: Colorado, #14 prospect What MLB.com said: "He still has the repertoire to be a successful starter." Friedrich was a first round draft pick in 2008 2011 season summary: Went 6-10 with 103 strikeouts and 43 walks in 133.1 innings for Double-A Tulsa. NECBL Highlight: Won the NECBL Rookie of the Year as a freshman for the 2006 Vermont Mountaineers   Player: Anthony Meo, RHP Organization and Rank: Arizona, #14 prospect What MLB.com said: "He has an easily above-average fastball that would undoubtedly be a plus in the bullpen." 2011 season summary: Selected in the second round of the 2011 Draft NECBL Highlight: Had a 0.87 ERA- sixth best in League- and averaged a strikeout per inning for 2008 New Bedford   Player: Matt Den Dekker, OF Organization and Rank: New York Mets, #16 prospect What MLB.com said: "The 2010 senior sign had a solid first full season, reaching Double-A, banging out 60 extra-base hits, stealing 24 bases and playing a superb center field." 2011 season summary: Hit 17 homers and slugged .460 between High-A and Double-A NECBL Highlight: Blasted 13 doubles, second in the NECBL, for the 2007 Keene Swamp Bats   Player: Adam Wilk, LHP Organization and Rank: Detroit, #17 prospect What MLB.com said: "Wilk will mix his fastball, curve, changeup and cutter well to keep hitters off-balance." 2011 season summary: Posted a 3.24 ERA and walked just 14 in 18 Triple-A starts. Made his Major League debut with Detroit NECBL Highlight: Led the NECBL with a 1.12 ERA as a member of the 2007 Newport Gulls   Player: Kevin Chapman, LHP Organization and Rank: Kansas City, #18 prospect What MLB.com said: "Chapman missed the 2008 season after arm surgery but by 2010 he was arguably the best college reliever in the game." 2011 season summary: Whiffed 90 in 62 innings between High and Double-A NECBL Highlight: Made one appearance in 2009 for North Shore   Player: Stephen Parker, 3B Organization and Rank: Oakland, #18 prospect What MLB.com said: "He hits enough to be a big leaguer, but if the pop returns, he could be a pretty special corner infielder." 2011 season summary: Hit .286 with 30 doubles at Double-A Midland NECBL Highlight: Slugged .379 and had an OBP of .362 for the 2007 Torrington Twisters   Player: Josh Zeid, RHP Organization and Rank: Houston, #18 prospect What MLB.com said: "Zeid profiles as a hard throwing short reliever...he has a plus fastball, which touches the upper 90s in shorter stints, as well as a nasty slider." 2011 season summary: Fanned 71 batters in 79.2 innings in Double-A NECBL Highlight: Went 4-1 with a 3.19 ERA for the 2006 Torrington Twisters   Player: Aaron Westlake, 1B Organization and Rank: Detroit, #19 prospect What MLB.com said: "A senior sign, Westlake was drafted for his best tool: power. The left-handed hitter can mash at the plate." 2011 season summary: Slugged .379 in Short Season Class-A NECBL Highlight: Made 27 starts for Keene in 2008. Slugged .495 and rapped 13 extra base hits for Newport in 2009

And this:

Nearly 60 NECBL Alumni in Major League Camps

59 NECBL alumni were in Major League camps as pitchers and catchers began reporting. 37 players were on Active or 40-man rosters while another 22 were in Major League camps as non-roster invitees. 24 of the 30 Major League clubs had at least one NECBL alumnus in their camp.   Joe Nathan, who played in the NECBL's inaugural 1994 season, may be the most marquee alumnus. The long time Twin closer is in the process of training with new teammates, the defending American League champion Texas Rangers.   Three more alumni- first baseman Matt Adams, pitcher Mitchell Boggs and pitcher Jason Motte- are on the 40-man roster of the defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals while a fourth, pitcher Nick Greenwood, is a Redbirds' non-roster invitee.   The Boston Red Sox have an NECBL flavor with two NECBL alums- catcher Ryan Lavarnway and pitcher Andrew Bailey- in their Big League camp.  OF Alex Hassan and pitcher Jesse Carlson are non-roster invitees.   At least one representative of every NECBL season from 1999 to 2009 is in a camp. The numbers validate the NECBL's position as a launching point for some of the best baseball talent in America. Over 75 participants in the NECBL have played in the Major Leagues.   The data is as of February 16th.   Alumni on an Active Roster Pos   Name                             MLB Team  NECBL Yr  NECBL Team P       Adam Wilk                    Detroit              2007  Newport Gulls OF    Andre Ethier                  L.A. Dodgers   2001  Keene Swamp Bats P       Andrew Bailey              Boston             2004  Lowell All-Americans INF   Andy Parrino                 San Diego       2005  Manchester Silkworms P       Andy Sonnanstine        Chi Cubs   2002-03 Sanford Mainers OF    Brian Bogusevic           Houston           2003  Danbury Westerners P       Brian Wilson                 San Francisco  2001  Keene Swamp Bats INF   Bryan LaHair                Chicago Cubs   2002  Keene Swamp Bats OF    Chris Denorfia              San Diego     2000-01   Manchester Silkworms C      Chris Iannetta                L.A. Angels    2003  Newport Gulls P       Christian Friedrich       Colorado        2006  Vermont Mountaineers OF    Cole Gillespie               Arizona           2005  N. Adams SteepleCats P       Craig Breslow               Arizona            1999  Middletown Giants P       Danny Otero                 San Francisco  2005  Newport Gulls OF    Darin Mastroianni       Minnesota  2004-05  Vermont Mountaineers P       David Carpenter          Houston            2005  Vermont Mountaineers P       Frank Herrmann          Cleveland         2004  Pittsfield Dukes P       Graham Godfrey         Oakland             2004  Manchester Silkworms P       Jason Berken               Baltimore          2003  Keene Swamp Bats P       Jason Motte                 St. Louis            2002  Sanford Mainers P       Jeff Beliveau               Chicago Cubs   2006  Newport Gulls INF   Jeff Keppinger            Tampa                1999  Keene Swamp Bats P       Joe Martinez               Arizona              2003  Danbury Westerners P       Joe Nathan                  Texas                  1994  Fairfield Stallions P       Joe Smith                    Cleveland          2004  N. Adams SteepleCats P       Joe Thatcher               San Diego          2001  Danbury Westerners P       Kevin Slowey            Cleveland           2004  Sanford Mainers DH   Matt Joyce                  Tampa Bay         2004  Danbury Westerners P       Mitchell Boggs         St. Louis              2004  Newport Gulls OF    Rajai Davis                Toronto                2001  Middletown Giants C       Ryan Hanigan           Cincinnati           2001  Lowell All-Americans C       Ryan Lavarnway      Boston                 2007  Manchester Silkworms LHP  Scott Barnes              Cleveland           2006  Holyoke Giants    INF   Steve Lombardozzi  Washington        2008  Holyoke Blue Sox P       Stephen Strasburg     Washington       2007  Torrington Twisters P       Tim Stauffer               San Diego           2001  Keene Swamp Bats P       Tom Koehler              Miami                 2005  Danbury Westerners   Alumni Who Are Non Roster Invitees:   Pos   Name                      MLB Team   NECBL Yr  NECBL Team OF    A.J. Pollock           Arizona            2007  Vermont Mountaineers OF    Alex Hassan           Boston             2007  Pittsfield Dukes INF   Andy LaRoche      Cleveland       2002  Keene Swamp Bats INF   Chris Dominguez  San Francisco 2006  Newport Gulls P       Dusty Hughes        Atlanta             2002  Danbury Westerners P       Evan Scribner        Oakland           2005  N. Adams SteepleCats OF    Jarrett Hoffpauir   Washington      2003  Danbury Westerners INF   Jeff Baisley            L.A. Dodgers   2002  Danbury Westerners P       Jeff Fulchino         Washington 1999-00   Keene Swamp Bats P       Jesse Carlson         Boston             2000  Middletown Giants C       Luke Carlin          Cleveland        2000  Keene Swamp Bats INF   Matt Adams          St. Louis           2008  Pittsfield Dukes OF    Matt Den Dekker N.Y.  Mets        2007  Keene Swamp Bats P       Matt Torra             Tampa Bay      2003  Torrington Twisters INF   Michael Olt          Texas                2008  Danbury Westerners P       Mike Ekstrom      Colorado          2002  N. Adams SteepleCats P       Nick Christiani    Cincinnati        2007  Manchester Silkworms P       Nick Greenwood  St. Louis           2008  Vermont Mountaineers P       Rob Delaney        N.Y. Mets         2005  Pittsfield/Vermont P       Ryan Reid            Tampa Bay       2005  Sanford Mainers P       Sean Gilmartin    Atlanta               2009  North Shore Navigators P       Sean Green           Texas                1999  Torrington Twisters

 

So is it June yet? : )

-Anna Grearson

Previewing tonight's Aud games

Tonight marks the first night of playoff basketball at the Barre Auditorium - the first night of my favorite two weeks of the year.

Lucky for us, and by us I mean me, two of our local teams are playing there tonight, one in each game. The No. 1 Twinfield Trojan boys will face No. 4 Rochester in the Division IV semifinal at 6:30 p.m., followed by No. 5 Harwood and No. 1 Vergennes in the Division II semifinal.

In prepping for the first game, it blew my mind that Twinfield and Rochester did not face each other in the regular season. Two of the division's most dominant teams, and they weren't put to the test against each other until now.

Twinfield comes in at 20-2, Rochester at 18-4. Both of Twinfield's losses were to D-III PA and Rivendell, while Rochester lost twice to WBCS, and once each to Williamstown and Rivendell. Both teams are on seven-game win streaks, though two of those wins for Twinfield have already come at the Aud - they beat Williamstown on successive Saturdays to close the regular season.

Rochester is making its first trip to Barre since 1998, and should they advance, it would be the Rockets' first final since that same year. Both have relatively equal semifinal records: Twinfield is 12-8 all-time in semifinal games while Rochester is 13-9. Twinfield is aiming for its ninth championship - and second in a row - while Rochester is looking for No. 6.

Both have at least one big gun: Twinfield's had a nice balance of power among reigning TA Player of the Year Chad Copeland and post players David Codling and Brandon Gibbs, while Rochester's been a bit of a one-man show with sophomore Pavin Parrish. Parrish dropped 48 in a playoff game last week, including his 1,000th point. I repeat: he's a sophomore. He plays AAU for Lone Wolf, and is a friend of Copeland's.

The winner faces the winner of the Danville and Arlington/WBCS semifinal in Saturday's final at noon.

In the late game tonight, Harwood will look to advance to its first final since 1988 when the Highlanders beat Lamoille 73-71, and I was not quite four years old. The Highlanders lost three of their last six regular season games but are on a four-game win streak now. The Commodores also stumbled at the end of the regular season, but are on a modest three-game streak now. They last won the title in 2001, also vs Lamoille.

Vergennes beat Harwood in Vergennes on Dec. 22, 2011, 52-48, in the only regular-season meeting between the two schools. Harwood is 15-7 while Vergennes is 20-2. Harwood is 2-5 in semifinal appearances (but an unbeaten 2-0 in the finals) and Vergennes is 6-9 (3-3 in the finals).

Will Ewald and Logan Liberty have done big things for the Highlanders, with Ewald dropping 30 in a recent game, and Liberty routinely scoring in double figures. I honestly don't know what Vergennes has to offer, but clearly it's something awesome if they've nabbed the No. 1 seed in a solid division.

The winner will face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between Burr and Burton and MSJ in Saturday's final at 3:45 p.m.

-Anna Grearson