Warrior Baseball
Western Albemarle High School

Martin Powley and Kyle Long Named to First Team and Adam Kruithof to Second Team All-Central Virginia (6/26/05) The Daily Progress announced the awards in the paper today.  Martin was named in the outfield, Kyle as utility player, and Adam at first base.  Josh Ellwood was honorable mention as a pitcher.

Warrior Team Awards for Joe Clark, George Thurston, and Brian Birckhead (6/6/05) Joe wins the Warrior Award and George and Brian share in the most improved award.  The 2005 season saw several records being broken or tied.  With three shutouts Kyle Long joined several others including Hunter Wyant, Jason Beale, and Troy Sandridge with the record for the most shutouts in  a season.  Joe Clark broke Bryan Lescanec's career record for games played with 84, and Joe also set a new career total for assists of 185 (Hunter Wyant held the record with 144).  The team batting average of 319 was the third highest in the last ten years.

Final Season Statistics Are Available (6/2/05) Click here to see them.  Kyle Long (415) and Kevin Collier (429) have the highest batting averages.  Martin Powley has highest on-base average (506), and Adam Kruithof has highest slugging average (565).  Martin led in runs (20), hits (27, tied with Adam and Kyle) and triples (2).  Kyle led in doubles (9), and Adam had the most home runs (2) and RBIs (21).  Matt Satterwhite led in the categories of stolen bases (7) and hit by pitch (5).  Spencer Parks had the most put outs (85), and Joe Clark led in assists (50).  Kyle Long had the most wins (4) and Josh Ellwood the most saves (3).  The team hit 319 and had an ERA of 2.23.

Warriors Season Ends in Regional Semi-Finals (6/1/05) Turner Ashby dashes Western's hopes with a 8-0 win.  Andy Pierce pitched well again in long relief.  Martin Powley, Jason Butterworth, and Kevin Collier got Western's only hits.

Martin Powley, Kyle Long, and Adam Kruithof Named Most Valuable Players for 2005 Season (5/31/05) Coach Hudgins announced the winners at the Western Albemarle Athletic Banquet.  Martin is a senior, and Kyle and Adam are sophomores.

Warriors Beat Stone Bridge 9-3 in First Round of Regional Tournament (5/30/05)  Western explodes for seven runs in the sixth inning as Joe Clark delivers a key hit for an RBI, and Brian Birckhead rips a single down the first base line for two RBIs.  Adam Kruithof also crushed a double to the left field fence with the bases loaded.  Josh Elwood picks up his third win in relief as he enters the game in the fourth inning, striking out six and yielding only two hits.  Click here for Stone Bridge pictures.  The Warriors play in the semi-finals against Turner Ashby at TA on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Warriors Repeat as Jefferson District Champs (5/27/05) Behind the gutsy pitching performance of Andy Pierce and superb relief work by Josh Ellwood, Western beats Fluvanna 6-1.  Andy who had not pitched since he shut out William Monroe on April 8th because of shoulder problems asked Coach Hudgins to start.  He showed his competitiveness in going five and two-thirds innings giving up only six hits (three of which were infield hits) and one run.  For Andy to be able to pitch this critical game so well after not being able to throw because of shoulder problems for over 50 days is a like a scripted story.  The Warriors trainer, Renee Smith,  had worked hard with Andy to gain his recovery.  Josh got all four batters out he faced striking out two in the final inning.  With Andy forcing Fluvanna to hit ground balls, the Warriors turned two double plays, and Joe Clark and Brian Birckhead fielded nine ground balls.  Seven warriors got hits as Matt Satterwhite and Kyle Long had two hits apiece.  Western had clutch hitting as four different players had RBIs.  This was the second year in a row that the Warriors have won the District tournament.  They will face Stone Bridge in the first round of the regionals on Monday at 7 p.m. at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia.

Warriors Beat Monticello 6-4 in District Semi-Finals (5/26/05) Western scores four runs in the fourth inning as Joe Clark singles in Matt Satterwhite, Martin Powley triples in two runs, and Brian Birckhead singles in Martin.  Seven Warriors get hits in giving Monticello their first loss in district play this season.  George Thurston and Martin Powley contributed two hits each.  Kyle Long picks up his fourth win going five and one-third innings.  Josh Ellwood gets the save in relief.  Western plays for the District Tournament championship and a birth to the regionals on Friday.

Seven Warriors Earn All-District Honors (5/26/05) Warriors on the first team are Martin Powley in the outfield, Brian Birckhead at third base, and Kyle Long as DH.  Second team honors go to Kyle Long as pitcher, Adam Kruithof at first base, and George Thurston in the outfield.  Honorable Mention All District honors were garnered by Joe Clark at shortstop and Matt Satterwhite in the outfield.  Click here for pictures.

Warriors Score Six in the Sixth to take Orange 12-7 in District Quarterfinal (5/25/05) In a continuation of a a suspended game from Monday, Western took a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning as George Thurston scores on an error.  The home team put things away in the sixth as 11 batters go to the plate.  Brian Birckhead picks up his first win; he started the game and reentered the suspended game in the fourth after Adam Kruithof got into trouble.  Brian gave up only one earned run in striking out seven.  There were hitting stars galore.  Adam had two hits including a double and three RBIs.  Sam Kozura doubled with the bases loaded in the sixth to score three.  Jason Butterworth had two hits in one inning as a pinch hitter in his first appearance since a knee injury.  Kyle Long, Brian Birckhead, and Matt Satterwhite had two hits each.

Warrior JVs Play Louisa for Championship (5/25/05) This game is scheduled for Friday, May 27th, at 4:30 p.m. at the Orange High School field.

Weather Delays District Tournament Game Against Orange (5/24/05) The rain brought rainbows but caused the Warriors game against Orange to be postponed.  The Warriors led 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning when the lightning, thunder and rain came.  The game has not been rescheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Warrior Field.  The JV Championship game date and time as not been set yet.

Warriors Defeat Charlottesville 11-1 to End Regular Season (5/21/05) Western unleashes a 12 hit attack to take fourth place in the District.  Kevin Collier got his first win, pitching a two hitter and giving up no earned runs or walks.  There were many hitting contributors:  Adam Kruithof was three for three with two RBIs; Kyle Long slugged two doubles and had four RBIs; and Martin Powley, Brian Birckhead, and Kevin Collier had two hits each.  Western plays Orange at 7 p.m. on Monday (May 23) at Warrior Field in the first round of the District Playoffs

Congratulation to Warriors JV Team (5/20/05) Rain caused the JVs final district game against Charlottesville to be cancelled.  The JVs finished with a 10-1 record in the district and 16-2 overall, getting a share of first place in the Jefferson District.  They play Louisa for the championship on Tuesday (May 24) at 6 p.m. at Warrior Field.

Warriors Come Up Short Against Fluvanna 2-1 (5/17/05) Brian Birckhead's brillant pitching performance (three hits, six strikeouts, no walks, and no earned runs) goes to waste.  Unfortunately Western commits five miscues in their third one run loss of the season.  Joe Clark walks in the seventh to bring in Brian Birckhead, but the Warriors leave the bases loaded at the end.

On Senior Night the Warriors Explode With a 16 Hit Attack to Beat Orange 14-0 (5/14/05) All five seniors, Joe Clark, Andy Pierce, Martin Powley, Justin Sullivan and George Thurston start and contribute to the win.  Joe had an important sacrifice bunt to advance two runners who scored on Adam Kruithof's double.  Andy  singled and scored a run.  Martin had three hits and scored three times.  Justin had a two RBI single, and George had two hits and scored two runs.  Kyle Long had a great evening hitting and pitching.  He gave up one infield single (that might have gone fouled had it not been picked up), struck out nine and walked only three.  At bat he was three for three with two doubles and knocked in four runs.  The Warriors turned two double plays in the five inning game.  Brian Birckhead and Adam Kruithof  had two hits and three RBIs each.

Senior Night Recognizes the Contributions of Five Warriors Who Will be Sorely Missed (5/14/05) A large Warrior crowd turned out to acknowledge the graduating seniors at their families.  Click here to see pictures.

Warriors Lose to District Leader Monticello 5-1 (5/10/05) Western matched the Mustangs with seven hits and left the bases loaded in the seventh.  Brian Birckhead, George Thurston, and Kyle Long had two hits each.  Adam Kruithof and Josh Ellwood gave up only two earned runs.

Warriors Shuts Down the Leemen 2-0 (5/7/05) Kyle Long blanked R.E. Lee with a three hitter, striking out eleven.  Justin Sullivan tripled and scored the first run.  Joe Clark and Adam Kruithof had two hits apiece.

Warriors Lose Tough One to Louisa 4-3 (5/3/05) Adam Kruithof pitched perhaps his finest game; he gave up only one earned run, yielding four hits and striking out seven.  Joe Clark, Matt Satterwhite, and Martin Powley each contributed two hits.

Western Beats William Monroe 10-0 (4/28/05) Kyle Long pitches a complete game shutout, giving up only three hits, striking out four, and threw 74% strikes.  The Warriors start the second round of District play with a strong offensive showing.   Matt Satterwhite scored three runs and had a triple.  Adam Kruithof and Martin Powley had two hits each with one RBI, and Brian Birckhead had a triple with two RBIs.

Warriors Breaks Out to Defeat Charlottesville 9-1 (4/26/05) Adam Kruithof pitched a complete game striking out nine.  Joe Clark contributed three hits including a triple, scored three runs, and had three RBIs.  Matt Satterwhite had three hits also.  Western finished the first round of District play with a record of three wins and three losses.

Warriors Lose to Fluvanna 4-1 (4/22/05) Adam Kruithof had a solo home run, and George Thurston and Kyle Long had two hits apiece.

Warriors End Five Game Road Trip with Loss to Covenant 6-0 (4/20/05) Covenant's ace pitcher held the Warriors to five hits.

Warriors Lose Tough One to Orange 6-5 (4/19/05) Western had runners on second and third with one out in the seventh but again missed the chance to score.  Kyle Long was four for four, and Adam Kruithof went three for four in the loss. 

Joe Clark Passes Career Record for Assists (4/17/05) Joe Clark, the Warrior's outstanding shortstop, breaks Hunter Wyant's career mark for assists of 144 which was set in 1997.  With many games remaining in Joe's last season he will set a new record that will remain for a very long time.

Warriors Lose First District Game to Monticello 6-4 (4/15/05) Western got 10 hits and had runners on second and third base with no outs in the last inning, but they could not get the big hit.  Martin Powley and Kevin Collier each had two RBIs.  Brian Birckhead, Dean Goodson, and Kyle Long contributed two hits each.

Warriors Lose on Road to Albemarle (4/13/05) Western mustered only two hits in its second loss to AHS by the score of 10-0.

Martin Powley's Three Hits Key Warriors Win Over Nelson 9-7 (4/11/05) Martin had a single, double, triple and was hit by a pitch as he scored three runs.  Joe Clark had a clutch RBI single in the seventh to score Matt Satterwhite for what turned out to be the winning run.  Josh Ellwood pitched well in relief to pick up his second win.

Kyle Long and Adam Kruithof Deliver Key Hits to Beat Louisa 8-5 (4/8/05) The Warriors broke open a 5-5 tie in the sixth inning.  In a pinch hit role Kyle Long doubled Joe Clark home, and Adam Kruithof followed with a line drive home run. Josh Ellwood picked up his first win by blanking Louisa in the last two innings.  Joe Clark, George Thurston, Martin Powley, and Brian Birckhead each had two hits.  Adam and Brian had three RBIs each.

Western Wins District Opener Beating William Monroe 10-0 (4/5/05) Andy Pierce pitched a four hit shut out waking one and striking out four in a five inning game.  He was aided by two double plays.  All the position players got at least one hit, as the Warriors got 11 hits in total.  Adam Kruithof and Martin Powley had three RBIs each, and Brian Birckhead and Dean Goodson contributed two hits each.

Warriors Lose to Albemarle 14 to 8 (4/1/05) April Fool's Day was unkind to the Warriors who lose their first game on a rainy damp evening.  Five Warrior pitchers gave up five unearned runs, but five errors really hurt the home team.  Joe Clark had two hits and Martin Powley and George Thurston each had a double with two RBIs.

Rainouts Rescheduled (3/31/05) Rain is playing havoc with Warrior games.  The Albemarle game (originally on March 25th) is now April 13th at 5:30 pm at AHS.  The doubleheader with R.E. Lee is scheduled for Saturday, May 7th.  The first game will be seven innings, and the second will be five innings.

John Baber, Warrior 2001, Starts VMI vs UVA game at UVA Field (3/30/05) John Baber who was a stand out for the Warriors in 2000-01 returns to start for VMI against the University of Virginia.  John had one hit in two at bats plus two walks as UVA edged the Keydets 2-1.  John's family met with Bryan, West, and Debbie Lescanec and Coach Freeland after the game.

Western Defeats Covenant 5-3 (3/18/05) Adam Kruithof pitched a two-hit complete game striking out nine and walking only two.  He also contributed three hits and two RBIs.  George Thurston, Dean Goodson, and Jason Butterworth had two hits apiece as Dean scored three times.  Joe Clark had one of the most outstanding days for a shortstop in Warrior's history.

Warriors Beat Nelson 4-1 in 2005 Season Opener (3/15/05)  Andy Pierce and Josh Ellwood combine for a four hitter as Nelson's lone run was unearned.  Jason Butterworth and Matt Satterwhite deliver RBI singles while Brian Birckhead, Joe Clark, C.T. Martin, and Martin Powley got single hits also.

Coach Hudgins Hudgins Previews the 2005 Warriors (3/8/05) Click here to get the skinny.  Coach expects the Warriors to be among the top four teams in the Jefferson District.  "I really like our group and fully expect us to have a big year with an excellent shot at winning our District and having a special season."

Warriors Lose Scrimmages to Weather (3/8/05) The snow and wet field conditions canceled scrimmages with Waynesboro and Wilson.  Warriors will open the season on Tuesday, March 15 against Nelson County at home at 5 pm.

Warrior Tryouts Begin Tuesday, February 22, 2005 (2/21/05) Varsity and Junior Varsity baseball hits the field.  Schedules for this year are available by clicking here.

Schedule (from highschoolsports.net).  Directions to fields is available through Western Albemarle High School website.