While county public schools were beginning spring tryouts and practices Saturday, Archbishop Spalding was playing its first baseball game.

No, not a scrimmage. It was the season opener for the Cavaliers, and they nipped Riverdale Baptist, 2-1.

Unlike public schools, private schools such as Spalding do not have to adhere to the March 1 starting date for spring sports.

"Oh, it can be pretty cold that early, but we want to get in as many games as we can," said Steve Miller, Spalding's sixth-year coach, whose team played 37 games last season, the most in the area.

Even though he doesn't particularly like playing in frigid weather, Cavaliers senior middle infielder Kody Hines agrees with his coach.

"It helps out a lot to play a lot of games," said Hines, who batted .507 with 27 runs and 27 RBIs in 2007. "Some people say you wear down and stuff like that, but playing all those games only makes you better."

Softball -- North County softball coach Tommy Thompson is coaching a team through America's Team International and is looking for outstanding high school players to play July 28-Aug. 5 in Italy. For more information, call Thompson at 410-859-1774 or 410-294-1091.

Quick hits -- Chesapeake All-Metro shortstop Angela Yannone has signed with UMBC. She hit .391 with 21 RBIs for the Class 4A state champion Cougars last spring. ... St. Mary's hard-throwing right-hander Austin Poretz, who was 8-2 and batted .505 with 42 RBIs for the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference champions last season, is going to play at Indian River Community College in Florida next season. ... Outstanding Meade sprinter Justin Murdock has accepted a full scholarship to Clemson. ... Annapolis wrestler Bubby Graham extended his winning streak to 93 by winning his fourth consecutive regional title Saturday at South River in the 160-pound division. He is 32-0 this season.