Week of May 4...

Last week produced both stunning upset victories and playoff-eliminating defeats. Several teams poised themselves at or near the pinnacle of their respective conferences while others contended for pride alone. An assortment of uncomfortable but "playable" weather conditions permitted most teams to battle their way out of bottlenecked schedules and into a more routine work week as they readied themselves for playoffs. As a result, your opportunities to see the Bruins in action are dwindling even as the pressure and importance of the remaining contests is elevated to new fingernail-chewing and hair-graying levels.

A tough season for the golf team saunters on, highlighted last week by a 15-6 win against the Warriors of Beth Tfiloh, a club that had amintained a winning record prior to their matchup with the Bruins. Unfortunately, the Wednesday triumph was closely followed by Thursday's 14-7 loss to the theretofore winless Indian Creek squad, dropping Park to 2-7 on the year. The regular schedule concludes this week as another Wednesday-Thursday double looms with the team facing middle-of-the-pack Glenelg Country and 7-3 Friends School on the 6th and 7th respectively.

Boys' tennis began last week by slipping in an overdue set against the Quakers, completing the match begun almost a week prior. The Bruins two-doubles team came from behind, winning four straight games, to defeat Friends and earn the match victory. With a jumbled lineup due to injury and illness, the squad then fell to BT 3-2 on Wednesday and was shutout by Loyola on Friday to end the regular season. The loss helped to eliminate Park from the team tournament but did nothing to lessen the fervor of Bruins vying for individual titles. Those finals are scheduled to start Monday, May 11th at McDonogh. Stay tuned for the pairings and results.

Coming off a huge win over John Carroll the week prior, the boys' lax team was feeling confident going into their second of three key games against top opponents when they took Boys' Varsity Field against AACS last Tuesday. Mere seconds after the opening faceoff, the Bruins had lost a star defenseman to a turned ankle. A quarter or so later, another left the contest with a shoulder injury. Character may have been the word of the day, however, as Park held onto an early lead for an 11-9 surprise (at least for the Eagles) win. The theme continued Thursday against Pallotti when Park took a third quarter lead that they would not relinquish, beating the Panthers 9-7. The three best records in the B-Conference had been knocked off one by one during the Bruins' sweep that began the week before! Friday's guest, Sts. Peter and Paul, could do no better playing David to Park's sudden Goliath, losing 11-5. This week, the boys round out their schedule against three more conference foes: Key at home on Monday (5/4), a grudge match at AACS on Tuesday (5/5) and home again against Chapelgate on Friday (5/7). Another successful stretch could very well result in a three-way tie among the conference leaders. Impressive crowds have cheered the boys' latest inspiring efforts, perhaps without much of the background knowledge to complete the story. "What's Bruin" readers recognize the remarkable nature of this run. Spread the word among the fans!

Another spring feature, perhaps without all the drama of the boys' season (for now!), the girls' lacrosse team remains among the very best in the B-Conference, breezing through last week's competition while tinkering with strategy and honing the details of their attack along the way. Monday witnessed the Bruins defeat Baltimore Lutheran 18-3. An imperfect first half on Tuesday failed to impede the girls on their way to a 18-7 win over Glenelg Country. Scheduled for Friday was Pallotti, who'd narrowly lost a previous clash between the two by only three goals. This time, Park cruised 18-11. With only one conference game remaining, Tuesday's (5/5) contest at AACS, the Bruins have settled into second place with a record of 9-2 (10-2 overall) behind the Quakers mark of 12-0 (12-2). Mercersburg Academy of Pennsylvania will be the final tuneup before the playoffs on Wednesday (5/6) at 4:30.

The title of "Regular Season Champ," were it based upon wins and losses alone, would be the sole possession of the softball team. They captured first place in the C-conference by thumping then leader St. John's last Monday by a score of 17-3. The thrilling accomplishment was quickly eclipsed, however, when on Tuesday the girls won a pitcher's duel 3-1 against RPCS, paced by the 100th (as well as 101st through 105th) strikeout tossed by Park's own Chelsea Burwasser, a feat worthy of a mention on Digital Sports as well as our very first name drop here on the blog. That's 105 strikeouts versus 7 walks in 52 innings. For those unfamiliar with the world of softball statistics, those numbers are relatively, um... ridiculous. The victory clinched the top seed and a first round bye in the playoffs set to begin this Friday. The girls will have nearly a two week rest prior to the start of their post-season run towards the final.

Not yet at the top of their conference, baseball can do much to shuffle the standings this week. Sweeping the season series against Boys' Latin with a 6-4 victory last Thursday reestablished the Bruins as sole owners of second place before losing 13-3 to the first place Baltimore Lutheran Saints on Friday. The loss left the boys (now 7-5 in conference) percentage points behind the Saints and Lakers for the Red Division lead. This Tuesday (5/5) Park takes on 10-1 (15-8 overall) Pallotti, the Black Division leader. Cross-division play continues on Wednesday (5/7) at second place and 9-2 (11-6 overall) Friends School. Pending those results, Thursday's challenge against Severn could wind up either an opportunity to seize first or a battle for third in the division. The Admirals thrashed the Bruins in mid-April 22-12. Those potential ramifications qualify the contest as our GAME OF THE WEEK, so please mark your calendars and head to Sugar Field for the 4:15 start.

See you there!

GO BRUINS!

An alumni note: Maggie Sachs ('07) helped the Stanford women's lacrosse team (ranked 13th in the country) to its fifth consecutive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship, and followed it up by shocking Penn (#3 nationally) in an 8-6 upset. Maggie and her Stanford teammates await the announcement of the NCAA tournament field to ascertain whether or not they've made the Division I playoffs. Keep sending all of your alumni sports news!

Week of April 27...

This week's theme? Pay attention to the website. Ridge and Robin found themselves scrambling again last week in the wake of another double-digit tally of postponements and suspensions due to inclement weather. Vacant afternoons are now precious few as we begin to count the days until the first spring playoffs begin. A bounty of games await, providing a gift for the fans but no solace for our weary athletes. Show them your support by spending a warm, sunny afternoon (remember those?) at the fields or courts. Your options are many!

The girls' lacrosse team was the only squad to brave the rain last Monday, but it certainly took some doing. Originally slated as a home game for the Bruins, the downpour forced a potentially unfavorable change of venue. An assembly of our most loyal supporters gathered at Meadowood, IND's home (turf) field, to witness the girls complete a 23-12 blowout over the Indians. On the following Thursday, perhaps it was damp cleats that left the girls one score behind at the end of the much anticipated rematch against Friends School. The two traded goals and the lead throughout the thrilling contest before ending 15-14 in the Quakers favor. Friday, Chapelgate found themselves the unfortunate outlet for the girls' frustrations as Park romped 20-3 in a game that saw the Bruins spend the entire second half working on their offensive schemes, running plays through subtle variations for minutes on end prepping for the playoffs to come. The girls are now 7-2 in conference and face another three game week playing Lutheran at home on Monday (4/27), Glenelg away on Tuesday (4/28), and Pallotti at home on Friday (5/1).

Boys' tennis failed to escape the weather as well, suspending their Tuesday match at Friends with the final pairing tied at one set per team. Stay tuned as the contest will have to be resumed at a later date with just one set left to determine the outcome. Top teams St. Paul's and McDonogh got the better of the Bruins on Thursday and Friday, but the boys look to get healthy and bounce back this week, facing John Carroll away on Tuesday (4/28), and Beth Tfiloh and Loyola on our home courts on Wednesday (4/29) and Friday (5/1) respectively.

Golf got in a match on Tuesday, a near miss (11.5-9.5) against Mt. Carmel, before finding the win column Thursday in a big win over the Key Obezags. The Bruins first victory came in grand fashion as they nearly swept the contest, winning 17-4. The week ahead starts ominously, potential thunderstorms notwithstanding, with a trip to 7-0 Pallotti on Tuesday (4/28) followed by Beth Tfiloh at Woodholme County Club on Wednesday (4/29) and Indian Creek at Eisenhower Golf Course on Thursday (4/30).

The baseball team last week added some schedule tossing of their own, as well as season-ending injuries (yes, that's plural), to an already jam-packed agenda. Despite the many obstacles, the boys managed to persevere, posting an impressive 3-0 record. Apparently the Bruins located their bats some time before Tuesday's home game against Chapelgate, evidenced by a double digit first inning. Though lightning cleared the field early, the game was considered official, ending 19-2. Next came another victory at Glenelg, 7-2, on Thursday. But the highlight of the week occurred Friday when the "mercy" rule made an appearance in Park's17-6 whipping of the then first place Lakers of Boys Latin. With the win, which concluded spectacularly with a two-run walk-off homer, the Bruins clawed back into a second place tie with BL. Relatively speaking, this week is light in that the boys play only two games. What the docket lacks in quantity, however, it more than makes up for in quality. On Thursday (4/30) at Sugar Field, it's Park versus BL once again, and on Friday (5/1) the team travels to first place Lutheran.

The sky wasn't all that looked grim when the softball team retook the field last Wednesday after a brief thunder delay trailing Bryn Mawr in the sixth inning. However, the ensuing go-ahead rally and defensive stand capped the win for the Bruins and furthered their streak of successive conference victories. Thursday's test didn't quite live up to the drama of the day prior as the girls no hit and shut out St. Tim's 20-0. The easy win proved an ample tune up, though, as second place Park faced, and handily defeated 11-2, a tough opponent in Beth Tfiloh on Friday. Only two regular season games remain before the playoffs! Both are this week and both are big. Today (Monday, 4/27), the girls head to St. John's, listed by Digital Sports as the C-Conference front-runner with a suspiciously inadequate record of 3-0 (the Bruins are 6-1). Tomorrow (Tuesday, 4/28), RPCS comes to Park. The Reds occupy third place at 4-2.

Off to a slow start this year, the boys' lacrosse team began to show their metal last week. Confronted with a menacing series of games against three of the top squads in the conference, the outlook was dire. First place AACS pushed back Monday's contest, providing our boys an extra day of rest before facing Pallotti on Wednesday. It took a last minute goal by the Panthers to lift them to a 7-6 win, perhaps offering a glimmer of what the Bruins are capable. Apparently, then 6-1 John Carroll failed to notice. On Friday, the Park boys upended the rival Patriots by a score of 9-5, further upsetting the standings in a conference that continues to appear up for grabs. In honor of their momentum-shifting win, we're naming this week's entire lacrosse docket our very first multiple GAMES OF THE WEEK! AACS brings their 5-2 record to Park on Tuesday (4/28). Once again it's Pallotti, also 5-2 and tied for first in our division, on Thursday (4/30) at home. In the Friday (5/1) finale, it's 3-4 Sts. Peter and Paul again at home. Park is currently 2-3 in a conference in which most teams have played seven or eight games. That's three BIG games, all at home, with the playoffs on the line. What more could you ask for?

See you there!

GO BRUINS!

Week of April 20...

You know what they say about the best laid plans... Last week's unrelenting drizzle again managed to transform playing fields into something that more resembled just-soaked sponges, forcing postponements, cancellations and allowing only one varsity game prior to Thursday. As a result, many teams' remaining schedules are growing increasingly congested as we approach the home stretch of the spring season, generating a measure of turmoil within the athletic offices but creating numerous opportunities and dramatic scenarios for you, the fans.

The boys' tennis team provides our first prime example. Though they somehow managed to complete two competitions, a 4-1 loss to Severn and Thursday's 5-0 thrashing of Boys Latin, the lads face a demanding agenda ahead replete with four matches against the likes of Friends (4/21, away), Loyola (4/22, home), St. Paul's (4/23, home) and McDonogh (4/24, away). All of this, including our big win over the Lakers, comes on the heels of injuries to our number two singles player and a member of our one doubles duo. So please take a moment to congratulate and encourage the tennis squad as they battle adversity and adversaries alike. Better yet, spend an afternoon at Friends School, Stevenson University or McDonogh this week and witness the Bruins firsthand!

The rain may have been the least of baseball's problems as they were humbled by Severn last Thursday and followed up with another loss to AACS Friday. The traumatic week dropped the Bruins to third place in the "Red" division with a 3-4 record. With some ground (as well as pride?) to regain, the boys hope to right the ship at winless Chapelgate on Tuesday (4/21) before facing division-leader Boys Latin on Sugar Field Wednesday. The "crowded schedule" theme continues as the Bruins then travel to Glenelg Thursday.

Softball appears to have regained their dominance, downing Garrison 23-2 and Friends 5-2 in their last two contests. Upcoming foes are said to be among the best the conference has to offer, however. Today (Monday the 2oth) the girls take on rival Beth Tfiloh at home on Sugar Field, followed by Wednesday and Thursday road trips to fellow 3-1 competitor Bryn Mawr and then St. Tim's to round out the week.

The Bruins golfers hope to find their way into the win column in matches against struggling Mt. Carmel, at Rocky Point Golf Club on Tuesday (4/21), and Key School, at Woodholme on Thursday (4/23). Having lost to Gibbons 14.5-6.5 last Friday, this week could be the turn-around the team needs.

The boys' lax team experienced a taste of heartbreak last Friday, losing a triple overtime bout to Glenelg 7-6. Today the Bruins head to AACS, the division leader, with a chance to even their record. The week gets no easier as the boys then hit the road against 3-1 Pallotti on Wednesday and the ever-dangerous and traditional post-season combatant John Carroll (4-1) on Friday. Let's hear it for the boys ('80's music reference for those of you paying attention) as they look to make a much-needed statement in the B-conference!

In a less than stellar outing, the girls' lacrosse team held off Pallotti last Thursday in a 20-17 tussle. Now 5-1 in the conference, the Bruins remain in second place behind arch rival and undefeated Friends School. The laxers must first endure games on Monday against IND and Tuesday at AACS, neither a simple test, before attaining their opportunity at redemption for the crushing, double overtime loss suffered at the hands of the Quakers at the start of April. Make plans now to carpool on Thursday (4/23) as you won't want to miss the second scuffle of the top two as the Bruins take on Friends, this time on their turf , for the premier seed in the conference. With all that's on the line, we'll call this one our GAME OF THE WEEK (an unprecedented away version) so let's be sure to pack the seats on Charles Street! But wait, there's more... Finally, the girls' busy week comes to a close at home in a classic "trap" game against last place Chapelgate. Come out and support the Bruins during this vital stretch!

To our most faithful fans, those who've recently ventured out to the fields for the very first time and others who've offered high fives in the hallways, we sincerely thank you for your time and encouragement. Every bit is thoroughly appreciated.

More wet weather is in the forecast so frequent the website for amendments to the week's calendar!

GO BRUINS!

Week of April 13...

After a holiday-shortened schedule last week, the upcoming docket offers opportunities to see each of our varsity teams at least once on their home court, course or field. Before we get to that, however, this just in... a rundown of our winter sports award winners:

Sophomore Rose Coll and senior Dawn Lee were each named to the C-conference All IAAM Basketball Team. Senior Kayla Bruun and sophomore Aiden Piper earned similar honors in B-conference indoor soccer, and our own Karl Nelson was named to the C-conference All MIAA Team as well as the Baltimore All-Metro Team as an honorable mention!

On to the teams... Last week, baseball continued to overcome key injuries and shuffled lineups as they dominated Chapelgate in a 10-0 win. In so doing, they briefly seized sole possession of first place in the division only to fall back into a three-way tie a day later after a tumultuous loss to Baltimore Lutheran; a game in which the Bruins fought back from an eight run deficit before succumbing in the late innings. At 3-2, the boys stand even with Boys Latin and Lutheran atop the "Red" division of the B-conference. They'll travel to Severn(2-3) on Tuesday the 14th before returning to Sugar Field to play alongside the softball team on Friday the 17th when 4-1 AACS comes to town.

Girls' lax (4-1 in conference) put on a show last Monday with 22 goals against IND, maintaining a game advantage on the Indians and keeping themselves within striking distance of the Friends Quakers, alone in first at 6-0. Wander out to Girls' Varsity Field this Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 to witness the Bruins again as they take on Pallotti (2-3) in the first half of a home and away series that finishes at Pallotti on Thursday.

The boys' tennis team's struggles in the standings continued with a loss to Calvert Hall last Tuesday. Finding themselves on the short end of a 3-2 outcome, the boys narrowly missed entering the win column in the A-conference. This week they battle Severn and McDonogh in back-to-back road games on Monday (4/13) and Tuesday (4/14). Then, please make a note to catch the match on Thursday when they face the Lakers of Boys Latin on our home courts among the friendly confines of Stevenson University.

Our golfers face a similar uphill climb after losing to Severn 16-5 last week. They'll look to get on the winning track against Beth Tfiloh, to whom they lost a squeaker earlier in the season, on Monday at Woodholme Country Club. From there it's off to Diamond Ridge to challenge Cardinal Gibbons on Friday (4/17).

Boys' lax remains at 1-1 and in third place in the "Black" division of the B-conference after last week's respite from competition. This week the boys first travel the long road to 3-0 Annapolis Area Christian School on Tuesday (4/14) before facing Glenelg at home on Boys' Varsity Field on Friday. Wins would catapult the team into first place.

Rounding out this edition is the softball squad (1-1), who came into last week still stinging from a surprising loss in their conference opener. Last Tuesday, the Saints of Baltimore Lutheran found themselves in an unenviable position as the next opponent on the Bruins' schedule. Park tallied twenty runs in just five innings, shortening the game via the league's "mercy" rule, and reestablishing themselves as contenders for the title. This week, the young team (starting only 1 senior, 1 junior and 3 sophomores) faces new challenges and a crammed calendar as they play four games, starting with two away from home; at St. Tim's on Tuesday followed by at Garrison on Wednesday. On Thursday (4/16), the girls tune up against B-conference Catholic before taking the field in our GAME OF THE WEEK against Friends on Friday. As mentioned previously, the Sugar Field showdown will take place concurrently with the boys' baseball game against AACS just an infield fly away, creating an ideal day at the ballpark(s). Come out and see both teams when the girls toss their first pitch at 4:00 followed by the boys' just fifteen minutes later.

See you there! GO BRUINS!

Remember to all always verify opponents, dates and times via the school's website.

PS: In the picture below, can you name the recent Park School alumnus playing for Stanford against Maryland?

Week of April 6...

Thank you to all who have read and commented on the newly-formatted weekly update! Keep the suggestions coming.

Last week's roller coaster ride of excitement and emotion was cut short by foul weather, robbing us (for the moment) of witnessing softball and baseball playing side-by-side against RPCS and Boys Latin on Friday. Hopefully many of you made it out to see the girls' laxers rebound from a heartbreaking loss to the first place Quakers by knocking off Glenelg. The boys' team similarly took out their frustrations upon Chapelgate after falling to Curley. Read on for more information including this (truncated) week's opportunities to see your Bruins at home and elsewhere.

On Monday, the varsity girls' lacrosse team goes on the road to face IND in an important bout between squads currently among the upper echelon of the conference. You can still get your ladies' lax fix here at home, however, as we give a special shout out to the JV team who will take on McDonogh on Girls' Varsity Field at 4:00 on Tuesday the 7th. McDonogh's girls' lacrosse teams are ranked number one in the area by Digital Sports. Come out and cheer for the up-and-coming Bruins as they face the A-conference Eagles.

Boys' lacrosse takes the week off after their devastating loss to the Friars of Archbishop Curley and convincing win over Chapelgate. The 1-1 split leaves them in second place, a game behind AACS, according to Digital Sports.

Our golfers plan to battle early forecasts of showers as well as the 1-1 Severn Admirals on Tuesday at Chartwell Golf Club. Thus far the Bruins have struggled, sitting at 0-2 on the season.

Boys' tennis plays just across town at Calvert Hall on Tuesday the 7th and again on Thursday the 9th against rival Beth Tfiloh on our home courts at Stevenson University. The team eyes both matches as potential wins that could catapult them into the thick of things within the A-conference.

What looked to be a busy start never really materialized for the softball team, and their season opener ended in a dreadful loss to Mt. Carmel. This week the girls dust themselves off and look to recover with games against Bryn Mawr and Baltimore Lutheran on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. In the former, the Bruins take on the 2-0 conference leader on Sugar Field in what could be a statement game. Tuesday's game will be on the road.

Baseball still clings to a share of first place after their own up and down week. On Monday, our boys of spring begin a brief home stand at Sugar Field, taking on Chapelgate followed by a Tuesday game against Baltimore Lutheran that is our GAME OF THE WEEK. Park and Lutheran currently share identical 2-1 conference records and top the standings in the B-conference.

Hope to see you there. GO BRUINS!