La Salle sweeps GW
The GW baseball team had to win only one game of their home weekend series against the Duquesne Dukes to qualify for the four-team Atlantic 10 Tournament. But instead, they were swept in three games Friday and Saturday.
In game one, the Colonials gave up five runs in the ninth to lose 8-5. After a 20-7 loss in game two Friday, GW gave up five runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to lose 12-6 Saturday. GW fell to 26-30, 10-11 in the A-10. The Dukes rose to 24-30 after the series.
After A-10 play was complete, four teams were tied for second in the A-10 West, and La Salle’s superior record against the other three teams broke the tie.
The Colonials end their season Tuesday against Cleveland State University at Jacobs Field, the home of the Cleveland Indians.
Women’s crew misses Commencement
The GW women’s crew raced in their last scheduled event of the season before any possible NCAA invitation Sunday in New Preston, Conn. Seniors on the team missed Commencement on the Ellipse Sunday.
Men’s basketball picks up, loses player
The Insider’s Report reported that Jamal Brown, the 6-6, 212-pound power forward who was Baltimore Player of the Year last year, has signed a letter of intent with GW. The paperwork is not yet official.
Brown had originally verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh but had backed out after a coaching change.
Brown officially visited GW in April and unofficially attended the UMass/GW game in February. Brown’s final decision reportedly came down to GW and UMass. He told The Insider’s Report that he came to GW for Penders’ style of play and the proximity to Baltimore.
To play for the Colonials in the fall, Brown needs to improve his SAT score and has one last chance to do so June 5. He told The Insider’s Report if he failed to qualify, he would sit out at GW in the fall.
Brown becomes the third Baltimore player on next year’s projected roster, joining Mike King and Sam Anyan. He is Penders’ fourth recruit this year, joining fellow locals Val Brown and Chris Monroe, and Harlem native Bernard Barrow. He is also the third Brown on next year’s squad, joining Val and Dorien. Keith Cavanaugh of www.espn.com has called Penders’ recruiting class a late climber, saying that “the Colonials could be in for big things,” and that Monroe “will be a household name very soon.”
In other news, freshman Andry Sola has officially transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He had been recruited out of high school by Drake, but was signed to GW by Mike Jarvis and told The Washington Post at the time that he was very upset when Jarvis left for St. John’s University. Sola will have to sit out a whole season as a transfer.
“He played in every game and averaged about 12 minutes a game (at GW),” Drake coach Kurt Kanaskie told The Sporting News. “They were sorry to see him leave.”
NCAA repeals held-ball rule
The rule that for one season had allowed a defensive player to create a turnover by forcing a held ball was repealed by the NCAA two weeks ago. All held-ball situations will be decided by the alternating possession arrow in the future.
-David Holt
