News & Notes: US Military All-Stars arrive to face 3 CRSCBL teams

The United States Military All-Stars baseball team opens up a three-game series with Ripken, Sr. League teams tonight, beginning at Shirley Povich Field against the Bethesda Big Train at 7:30 pm. The All-Stars then travel to Rockville to face the Express tomorrow at 5:05 pm at Knights Field. The All-Stars will wrap up their series on Thursday night against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts at Blair Stadium at 7:05 pm. Come on out to show your support for America's heroes at home and abroad!

In the second full week of 2007 Ripken, Sr. League action, Youse's Maryland Orioles maintained their grip on first place in the league standings by winning five of seven games. Through fifteen games, the Orioles have relied upon a pitching staff that has combined for an ERA of 1.66 and 115 strikeouts in 124.2 innings-pitched. Only the Bethesda Big Train have combined for more strikeouts (117). Orioles pitchers also have the second-fewest walks in the league with 49, four more than the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.

The Bethesda Big Train stormed into second place and are now threatening the Orioles for first after winning their last six games in a row by outscoring their opponents 49-8. Jimmy Saris (Georgetown) picked up two of those wins during that stretch (including last night) and now leads the Ripken, Sr. League with a 3-0 record. Bethesda's move into second place came at the expense of the Rockville Express, who lost all four of their games last week. The Maryland Redbirds also flirted with the top of the standings last week before dropping three of four. The Herndon Braves and Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts both played .500 ball in week two.

Meet the 2007 CRSCBL Official Photographers!

Jakubowski (Bombers/St. Joseph's), Harst (Big Train/Southern Miss), Laber (T'Bolts/North Dakota State), Umberger (O's/Towson) win weekly awards

College Park Bombers outfielder Jeremy Jakubowski (St. Joseph's University) and Bethesda Big Train catcher Chance Harst (University of Southern Mississippi) have been named the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Co-Hitters of the Week for the week of June 18 to June 24.

Jakubowski led the league with 10 hits in 22 at-bats last week (.455 BA). He doubled once, scored three runs, and drove in four. Jakubowski posted an OPS of 1.000 for the week and also stole two bases. He hit in five of six games for the Bombers, including two three-hit performances, and finished the week with a two-hit, three-RBI day against the Maryland Redbirds on Sunday.

Harst collected seven hits in 20 at-bats for the Big Train during the week (.350 BA). He doubled, tripled, knocked in four runs, and scored three of his own. Harst hit in all six games for the Big Train last week and knocked in runs in four straight games to help Bethesda to a five-game win streak and sole possession of second place in the league standings.

Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts pitcher Jake Laber (North Dakota State) and Youse's Maryland Orioles pitcher Zach Umberger (Towson) have been named the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Co-Pitchers of the Week for the week of June 18 to June 24.

Laber tossed seven innings of shutout ball against the College Park Bombers to pick up a win on June 22. Laber scattered just four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out eight. The Bombers hit just .160 off of him.

Umberger also tossed seven innings in a win against the Herndon Braves on June 23. Umberger allowed just two hits and one unearned run. He did not walk a batter and struck out five, while the Braves hit .087 off of him.

2007 All-Star Game tickets are FREE and available online!

The 2007 Ripken, Sr. League All-Star Game promises to be the best in our three-year history! You've seen the promos on Nationals and Orioles telecasts... MASN will be televising all the action LIVE from Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen on Monday, July 23. The second annual Home Run Derby will begin at 5 pm, and the first pitch of the All-Star Game is set for 7:05 pm. Click for your FREE printable tickets. Print as many as you like (we recommend printing in black and white). For large group tickets (still FREE!), contact Alex at 410/588-9900. We will mail you as many tickets as you'd like.

2007 CRSCBL Standings

On tap this week...

Tuesday, June 26
Redbirds at T'Bolts, 7 pm
Express at Braves, 7 pm
US Military All-Stars at Big Train, 7:30 pm

Wednesday, June 27
US Military All-Stars at Express, 5:05 pm
Redbirds at Orioles, 7 pm
T'Bolts at Braves, 5:30 pm (DH)
Bombers at Big Train, 7:30 pm

Thursday, June 28
Express at Orioles, 7 pm
US Military All-Stars at T'Bolts, 7:05 pm
Braves at Bombers, 7:30 pm

Friday, June 29
Orioles at Big Train, 5 pm (DH)
Bombers at Redbirds, 7 pm
Express at Braves, 7 pm

Saturday, June 30
Orioles at Redbirds, 1 pm (DH) at USNA
Express at Big Train, 5 pm (DH)
Bombers at T'Bolts, 7 pm

Sunday, July 1
T'Bolts at Express, 5 pm
Redbirds at Braves, 7 pm
Orioles at Bombers, 7:30 pm

Click here for directions to all CRSCBL fields