Friday, March 24, 2006

Defending Virginia AAA finalist Osbourn inherits two all-Cedar Run District transfers with junior C Sean McCauley (batted .427 for Potomac last season) and senior IF-P Chris Boggs (helped lead Stonewall Jackson to state tournament). The Eagles also bring back senior Tony Pasquariello (10-1, 3.09 ERA, .322 average). . . .

Because of injuries, defending Concorde District champion Oakton could be without three projected starters for the season, most notably 3B Curtis Eward (dislocated shoulder), a George Washington signee. . . .

Edison junior C Seth Williams (14) and senior DH John Barrett (9) combined for the bulk of their team's 35 homers last season, when the Eagles went 14-5 but lost to Washington-Lee in the district final. Look out, too, for Mount Vernon, with Chad Eagerton (10-1), C Alex Swenson and 1B Ryan Stearns . . . .

There are five new coaches in the Patriot District, including Mark Luther at South County. Luther led Hayfield to the region final last year; several ex-Hawks are now playing for him at the new Lorton school. Patriot contender Lake Braddock brings back only one starter, senior SS Lee Bolyard (Johns Hopkins), a four-year fixture. . . .

Defending Northern Region champion Robinson lost two Division I pitchers and is hoping Western Carolina signee Paul Clemens and juniors Travis Medina and A.J. Johnson can step in. Westfield 1B Justin Bour (.390, 33 RBI), Herndon C Tate Swanson (.404), Langley P Bryce Morrison (6-0, 2.93 ERA) and Robinson SS Austin Booker (.446) are among other top players back in the Northern. . . .

Forest Park P Ryan Woolley (4-2, 1.60 ERA) has signed with the University of Georgia. He struck out 11 of the 12 batters he faced in a recent win over Battlefield. Potomac, with utility man Mike Matta (.410, 6-3, 1.53 ERA), should be a threat in the Cardinal District.

-- Preston Williams and Stephen A. Norris