Rbi Single

After watching her team leave four runners in scoring position in the first two innings of yesterday's City-Wide championship game, Western catcher Kim Aviles decided it was time for an impromptu team meeting."

WASHINGTON - It was a game that felt big. Maybe it was because the first-place Washington Nationals, backed by another big home crowd, were going against National League strikeout leader Pedro Martinez for the first time this year. Or maybe it was because it was one of those tightly played, pitching-dominated games where hits are elusive, walks are few and defensive gems abound. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but this felt like playoff baseball. Which could be a good omen for the Nationals, who got eight stellar innings from starter Esteban Loaiza (5-5)

The last time Dundalk appeared in the state softball semifinals, members of the current team probably were in kindergarten, and Cal Ripken Jr. was a rookie third baseman.But the wait is over.Sophomore right-hander Katie Marsheck pitched a two-hitter and struck out 11 to lead the host and top-seeded Owls (14-2) to an 8-0 victory over third-seeded Bel Air (14-4) in yesterday's Class 3A, Region II final.Dundalk will make its first trip to the state semifinals since 1982 on Tuesday at Randazzo Park at 5:30 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

The last time Dundalk appeared in the state softball semifinals, members of the current team probably were in kindergarten, and Cal Ripken Jr. was a rookie third baseman.But the wait is over.Sophomore right-hander Katie Marsheck pitched a two-hitter and struck out 11 to lead the host and top-seeded Owls (14-2) to an 8-0 victory over third-seeded Bel Air (14-4) in yesterday's Class 3A, Region II final.Dundalk will make its first trip to the state semifinals since 1982 on Tuesday at Randazzo Park at 5:30 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

Firemen's softballWinfield lost its opening game Saturday in the Carroll County Firemen's Softball League Tournament, but swept its next seven games to win the postseason title.After exiting the losers' bracket to beat New Windsor, 8-6, Winfield culminated its seven-game streak by shutting out New Windsor, 4-0, in the title game.After its opening loss, Winfield fell behind Pleasant Valley, 8-2, after three innings, but it narrowed the gap with four runs in the fourth and then scored five in the sixth to win.Tom Gaigalas singled in the tying run, and Tim Legore knocked in the go-ahead run. Rich Hoff doubled home a run and Archie Muller singled in one in the inning.

SoftballThe National Softball Association's Class D men's State championship tournament began Sunday at the Carroll County Sports Complex after rain had washed out Saturday's schedule.Maggie's got off to a fast start, winning its first three games, before going flat in an 8-4 loss to Baltimore County-based Strapp's Sunday evening.Maggie's, which went 24-4 to finish first in the Carroll Men's League's B Division, led all the way to beat the Grizzlies, 7-4, in its opener.Bobby Bowers was 3-for-3 and Jimmy Janowitz, 3-for-4.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - With wins and losses secondary to revelations, the Orioles again worked their September blueprint for success last night against the Anaheim Angels. Turn loose a few screwball plays, catch the ball and don't forget to bring along a powerful performance by a starting pitcher. Able to draft behind Sidney Ponson's second win since July 31, the Orioles worked the plan to perfection last night in a 3-1 win before 17,323 at Edison International Field. They scored on a double steal, a rookie's two-out single and watched Ponson exhibit the body language of a confident pitcher.

Trailing by three runs in the fifth inning against perhaps the best pitcher in the American League is not exactly the ideal formula for ending a losing streak, salvaging a homestand and reducing the temperature on a manager's hot seat. But the Orioles aren't exactly engaged in conventional procedures these days. They needed extra innings and an improbable comeback against reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, but the Orioles survived Tuesday night with a 4-3, 10th-inning win over the Kansas City Royals on a Nick Markakis liner to the gap with the bases loaded.

NEW YORK - If the goal this week for the Orioles was to spend as many hours as possible in the lavish confines of the new Yankee Stadium, they can come home happy. If they were hoping to make a dent in the playoff hopes of the New York Yankees, they certainly took their sweet time about it. The O's were hitless in their first 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position Wednesday before Mark Reynolds finally singled home Matt Angle in the 11th inning to avert a three-game sweep with a 5-4 victory.