Courtland High School Cougar Baseball

 Jonathan Haught was named to the 2010 Free Lance Star All-Area team as an outfielder.  Joe Nartowicz received the honor at catcher.  Ryan McBroom was named as a first baseman and also received the Player of the Year award for his work in the infield, at the plate, and on the mound for the Cougars.  Congratulations, once again to three awesome young men.

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Senior, Ryan McBroom was selected by group AA Virginia state baseball coaches as  first team first-baseman for the 2010 season.  Congratulations to Ryan on this tremendous accomplishment.

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Three Cougars were honored by the Region I baseball coaches this weekend.  Junior, Jonathan Haught was named second team outfielder.  Senior catcher, Joe Nartowicz also received second team honors.  Senior, Ryan McBroom was named first team pitcher and first team first-baseman.  Congratulations to these young men.

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Ten Cougar Baseball Players were honored by the Battlefield District last weekend at the All-District selection meeting.  The following young men were selected.

Honorable Mention: Travis Weaver (Jr.) Pitcher, Matt Lenox (Sr.) Second Base, Nathan Balog (Sr.) Third Base, Steven Bennett (Sr.) Outfield, Casey Lynch (Sr.) Outfield

Second Team: Clay Keranen (Jr.) Pitcher, Billy Rausch (Sr.) Designated Hitter

First Team Outfield: Jonathan Haught (Jr.)

First Team Catcher: Joe Nartowicz (Sr.)

First Team First Base: Ryan McBroom (Sr.)

First Team Pitcher: Ryan McBroom 

2010 Battlefield District Player of the Year: Ryan McBroom 

2010 Coach of the Year:  Tim Acors 

Congratulations to all nominees and selections!

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Senior, Ryan McBroom took the mound for the Cougars yesterday at Powhatan looking to lead his teammates to victory.  Though he battled the heat and a tough Indian lineup, McBroom never quit and demonstrated the determination and leadership he has shown for four years in the blue and silver uniform.  Though McBroom was strong on the bump and at the plate, the Cougars fell just two-thirds of an inning short of a State playoff berth and the Region I finals.  McBroom pitched six and a third, allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out four. 

The Cougar offense got off to a hot start.  Junior shortstop, Clay Keranen singled and was followed by another by McBroom.  After senior, Casey Lynch reached on an error, junior outfielder, Jonathan Haught hit a double scoring both Keranen and courtesy runner, Brian Conners.  The Cougars scored again in the fifth when senior second baseman, Matt Lenox hit a one out single and scored on a McBroom double off the left-center field fence.  The Indians plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the Cougars, 4-3 and end their season.  After the heartbreaking loss, Coach Acors said, "I hurt for our seniors.  I truly believe we were the better team.  The ball bounced our way a lot this season but it didn't when it mattered most tonight.  I am so proud of our guys for how hard they fought all season.  We played every game with class and intensity and can walk away from this one with our heads high knowing that we did.  We will ache over this one for a while but get back after it soon in preparation for 2011.  Replacing these seven great seniors will be impossible, but at Courtland, we don't rebuild- we reload.  We'll be back next year."

The Cougars finish the season 20-3 overall and 15-0 in the Battlefield District.

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Junior right-hander, Clay Keranen took the ball for the Courtland Cougars last night in the Region I Quarterfinals against the Tigers of Tabb High School.  Keranen worked six strong innings, allowing four earned on seven scattered hits, while striking out nine.  He gave way in the seventh to senior, Billy Rausch who struck out four and allowed just one hit in three innings of work.  Rausch picked up his second win in 2010 mixing in a sharp curveball with a good fastball to hold the Tigers scoreless.

Tabb struck first, putting two runs across in the top of the first.  They faced a relentless attack from the Cougar offense in the bottom half.  Keranen singled with one out.  Senior first baseman, Ryan McBroom then hit a two-run homerun (sixth of 2010***) to knot the game at two.  Senior, Casey Lynch singled, followed by another single by Rausch.  Senior third baseman, Nathan Balog then doubled to the right-center gap scoring both Cougar baserunners, and giving the Cougars a two-run advantage.  Tabb tied the game at four with runs in the third and fifth innings, though the Cougar bats were silenced by Tiger lefty, Jared Lyons.  The score remained tied through seven.  Courtland brought the top part of it's potent lineup to the dish in the bottom of the ninth.  Senior second baseman, Matt Lenox singled to lead off the frame, his third hit of the evening.  Lenox then stole second and advanced to third on a mishandled ground ball off the bat of Keranen.  McBroom then received his second intentional walk of the evening to load the bases.  Cougars clean-up man, Lynch hit a towering fly ball to left center, sacrificing home Lenox and giving the Cougars the victory.

Courtland (20-2) travels to Powhatan on Wednesday, June 2 to play the Indians in the Region I Semifinals.

***McBroom's homerun gives him six for the season breaking the single season record he shared with Nathan Streigler.

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Junior right-hander, Clay Keranen worked five strong allowing just two hits while striking out three and walking none in the Cougars' Battlefield District Tournament, semi-final victory over Chancellor, 11-1.  Keranen mixed pitches well and pounded the strike zone, putting the defense to the test.  His teammates responded and passed with flying colors.

Senior battery mate, Joe Nartowicz had a banner day at the plate, going 3-3 with a walk and finished just a homerun shy of the cycle.  Second baseman, Matt Lenox also delivered three hits including a double in the second.  Outfielders, Jonathan Haught and Casey Lynch added two hits each.  Lynch doubled twice and Haught drove in his team high 30th RBI.  Keranen and seniors, Billy Rausch and Nathan Balog had a hit each.

The Cougars (19-2, 15-0) return to Spotsylvania High School, Thursday May 27 at 7:30 pm for the Tournament final against Eastern View.

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