Severna Park's baseball team burned the Prophet twice, along with two opponents -- including the The Baltimore Sun's top-ranked Calvert Hall (6-2) of the Maryland Scholastic Association A Conference -- to deal the sage a crummy 3-4 week.
Last Friday the Falcons (4-0) wentinto Broadneck as a one-run underdog and proceeded to ignore the Prophet by humbling the 2-1 Bruins, 11-1. On the heels of that big win, Severna Park came back to upset the No. 1 Cardinals, 3-0, in eight innings Tuesday in Towson.
"Are you going to keep picking against us?" asked Severna Park catcher John Milisitz on Monday before practice.
The Prophet laughedand said "probably not," and then made the mistake of reminding Milisitz that the Falcons still had the make-up game with the Hall and that he had tabbed the Hall to win by a run.
The reasoning for the Prophet's pick was that the Hall was expected to pitch its ace left-hander and pro prospect Andy Weltlinger against the Park.
The new date changed that, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway because Falcons' right-hander John Ritter shackled the Cardinals.
Ritter no-hit the Hall until the seventh before giving up a hit and giving way to Rob McCandless in the eighth. Ritter's teammates got him three runs andthe victory in the top of the eighth with McCandless notching the save.
Also on the 3-4 slate, which left the Prophet at an overall 141-77 (.647) for the school year, the rage of a sage had his patented crystal ball misfire on softball and boys lacrosse games.
The Prophet liked Glen Burnie to nip Northeast by a run in softball, but Stacy Reynolds would have none of that Friday. The senior pitched and scored both runs in a 2-1 thriller.
St. Mary's boys stick team of Coach Jim Moorhead dropped a 7-6 heart-breaker at Weems Whelan in Annapolis to Calvert Hall after the Prophet had his overdrive in reverse. Yes, he had the Saints by one.
Despite the miscues, the Prophet made three brilliant picks, with
Spalding drilling previously unbeaten Catholic High, 13-0, in softball (Spalding was favored by two runs), and Spalding's baseball team, at least a two-run favorite over Poly, routed the Engineers, 15-6.
And, Severna Park's boys lacrosse team buried Annapolis as advertised. "Look for the Falcons to roll" is what the Prophet said in making Severna Park a three-goal favorite over the Panthers. The final was Severna Park by 17-8.
Baseball
Glen Burnie (2-3) at Severna Park (4-0), 3:45 p.m. Friday: Here is the"Game of the Day" in Anne Arundel County, with the host Falcons taking on all comers thus far, posting two emotional wins, 6-3 over Arundel and 3-0 over Calvert Hall.
Glen Burnie is on a yo-yo at the moment and was embarrassed by 3A South River, 7-5, Tuesday. The winning Seahawks even pulled off a trick play to add insult to injury.
If the Gophers intend to contend for one of the four playoff spots in 4ARegion IV, they have to get going, and this would be the game to do it because they've got to travel to Arundel (4-1) Monday.
Look forSeverna Park to unload on Glen Burnie with John Milisitz, Rob McCandless and Steve Neuberger all popping home runs. Severna Park plus 2 over Glen Burnie.
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Cardinal Gibbons (1-3) at Archbishop Spalding (4-2), 3:45 p.m. Friday: Coach Tom Lind's Cavs visited Loyola yesterday after getting smoked by Calvert Hall, 16-9, Monday. They needed to win at Blakefield to get a winning streak started again and Gibbons should help that.
The visiting Crusaders are not very strong, and the Cavs can swing the bat. Spalding will reach double digits in hits and runs. Spalding plus 3 over Gibbons.
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Glen Burnie (2-3) at Arundel (4-1), 3:45 p.m. Monday: If left-hander Tony Saunders works this game against Glen Burnie, what a pitching match-up this could be. There is a good chance that Wildcat flamethrower Brian Rolocut will take his turn as well.
A Rolocut-Saunders duel could be a greathigh school game, because both guys are considered in some circles to be pro prospects.
"Rolo is gaining confidence and is a much better pitcher because of it," said Coach Bernie Walter of his senior right-hander, who struck 30 in two games last week.
"I think he has become a pro prospect."
Saunders had a great fall pitching for the Oriolelanders, run by Baltimore Orioles scouting supervisor Jim Gilbert, and a lot of scouts like this kid.
If these guys go and are both on, this should be a can't-miss high school baseball game, and, ohyeah, the Prophet likes the home team. Arundel plus 1 over Glen Burnie.
Softball
Glen Burnie (3-1) at Severna Park (2-3), 3:45 p.m.Friday: Glen Burnie is playing well, and senior Stacy Jordan (10-for-15, .667) is tearing the cover off the softball, while the host Falcons are in disarray at the moment.
While the Gophers were ripping South River, 11-2, Tuesday, Severna Park was being blanked by Karen Hay (five-hitter) and The Baltimore Sun's top-ranked North County (5-0).
This should be a close one, but in the late innings Coach Bob
Broccolino's girls will push across the game-winner. Glen Burnie plus 1 over Severna Park.
Boys lacrosse
Boys' Latin (7-0) at Severn (4-2), 3:45 p.m. Friday, "Upset of the Week": Now here is a winner, stick fans. This should be a great high school lacrosse game, with The Baltimore Sun's No. 3 team visiting No. 4 in Severna Park.
Thehost Admirals of Rob White are coming off a 10-8 decision over No. 7Gilman (7-2) on Tuesday, while unbeaten Boys' Latin made it seven ina row over No. 5 St. Mary's (2-2) by 9-6.
Despite the Baltimore visitors' lofty ranking and record, the Prophet has been getting good vibes every time he has driven by Severn the last couple of days.
Then, Tuesday night after studying this game for hours, the Prophet fell off to sleep and was awakened by a deafening roar coming from Water Street as he saw Jason Wade hit the net with a game-winning goal. The Prophet woke up and banged this pick out on his computer: Severn plus 1 over Boys' Latin.
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Southern (5-1) at Severna Park (4-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday: Class 2A Southern came down to earth Tuesday, losing its first game by 7-4 to Annapolis (2-3), and now must visit the powerful Falcons.
Southern really will be cut down to size in thisone as the Class 4A contenders, ranked No. 13 by The Baltimore Sun, fire all cylinders.
Mike Crawford and Bob Evans tuned up for this one on Tuesday by firing in five goals each in a 17-11 victory over Queen Anne's (0-3). Look for more of the same offensively by the Falcons and improved defense. Severna Park plus 4 over Southern.
The Prophet to date
Right.. .. .. ..Wrong.. .. .. .. ..Pct.
141.. .. .. .. ..77.. .. .. .. .. .647