Baseball offense has field day in rout of Alhambra

Brophy 18
Alhambra 2

By Justin Janssen ’11
THE ROUNDUP

If the Broncos are going to make a run in the playoffs, they can point to the 18-2 shellacking of Alhambra April 30 as the game that jump-started them.

No. 9 Brophy (20-8) pounded out 10 extra-base hits, including four home runs, to rout the No. 8 Lions in a mercy-shortened game in the first round of the 5A-I postseason.

Connor Messman ’13 fueled Brophy’s offense with six RBIs on two doubles and a home run.

“Messman jump-started us,” said Brophy head coach Mr. Tom Succow. “He is just a sophomore, so we expect big things to come.”

In the bottom of the first inning Alhambra scored their two runs of the game off Brophy starter Dave Graybill ’12 to close the gap to 3-2.

Graybill settled down after that and gave up two hits the rest of the game improving his record to 7-1, according to Mr. Succow.

“It seems Graybill gets better every time out there,” Mr. Succow added.

The Broncos pushed their lead to 7-2 after the second inning behind a two-run single by Chris Beall ’12, an RBI double by Messman and a wild pitch scoring Emilio Torrez ’12.

In the third inning, Brophy threw the knock-out punch with back-to-back-to-back home runs by Messman, Jon Rapisarda ’12, and Dan Winkler ’11.

At that point Brophy led 15-2 and it was only a matter of time before the 10-run mercy rule came into effect.

“That’s our 20^th win of the season,” Mr. Succow said, “It’s hard enough to win one game, much less 20.”

No. 8 Alhambra (18-6) won the Metro Region with a 15-1 mark against teams inside their region. The three teams from the Metro Region to qualify for the postseason all lost by 10 or more runs.

Brophy will play the top-seeded team in the 5A-I tournament, Mesquite, May 3 at Camelback Ranch Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.).

The tournament is double-elimination; meaning Brophy could lose the next game and still be alive.

Alhambra Playoff cheat sheet

After what seemed like a short regular season, the No. 9 Brophy Broncos (19-8) will travel to No. 8 Alhambra (18-5) April 30 at 11 a.m to begin postseason play.

Alhambra cruised through a light schedule and captured the 5A metro regional championship.

The Lions played a staggering 16 of their 23 games against region competition. For comparison's sake, Brophy played 10 of their 27 contests against their region.

Alhambra went 15-1 against the metro, but is just 3-4 outside of region competition.

Last season, the Lions and the Broncos were bounced in two games of the double-elimination tournament.

Brophy's current team is led by outfielder Joe Maggi '11 and pitcher/infielder Dave Graybill '12.

Maggi is what every team wants in a leadoff hitter: hits for a high average and steals many bases. Graybill leads the Broncos in homers and is one of their best pitchers.

Key player to watch (Alhambra): Lino Vargas. With the bat, Vargas' batting average is .435, but his biggest asset is his arm. Vargas is a lefty (Brophy struggles vs. left-handed pitchers). He has a 7-0 record with an ERA of 1.95.

The winner of this game takes on the winner of No. 1 Mesquite and No. 16 North Canyon. The loser plays the loser of that game in an elimination game.

Brophy offense thunderstruck by Desert Vista southpaw

By Justin Janssen '11

Desert Vista southpaw Garret Brandt had his way against Brophy's offense April 26 at Opus Field.

Brandt mixed his pitches keeping the No. 7 Broncos (18-8) off-balance all night.

Brophy coach Mr. Tom Succow said after the Harvard-Westlake game March 29 that Brophy struggles against lefties.

Brandt gave up two runs in a complete game effort- his third complete game of the season - and kept Desert Vista's playoff hopes alive.

The Thunder (13-15) entered play against Brophy ranked 18th in power points; the top 16 teams qualify.

Last season, Desert Vista defeated Brophy twice in the season's final two games to earn the final seed in the playoffs.

Early on, the game appeared to be headed for a pitcher's duel, but Dave Graybill '12 only pitched the first three innings.

In the third inning, Joe Maggi '11 tomahawked a fastball into center field scoring Connor Moore '12.

In the fourth inning Graybill was replaced by Nick Jewett '12 on the mound.

After Desert Vista tied the game on an RBI single by Colby Woodmanse, Jewett was in a bases-loaded two-out jam.

Hunter Rodriquez, who is also Desert Vista's starting quarterback, cleared the bases with a three-run double off the center field wall.

The crushing blow chased Jewett from the game after recording just two outs.

After receiving this run support, Brandt got in a groove and put up three straight scorless innings.

The Thunder would tack on two more runs to go ahead 6-1.

Brophy's rally in the seventh inning was too little, too late.

Maggi singled, stole second, and scored off of a base hit by Graybill, but the next batter struck out to end the game.

Brophy and Desert Vista meet again in Awhatukee April 27 to finish the regular season.

The double-elimination postseason starts Saturday April 30 at the higher seeded team's home field.

Baseball looks to close regular season on high note

By Justin Janssen '11

The 2011 Brophy Broncos baseball team (18-7, 6-2 Fiesta Region) will close their regular season with back-to-back games against Desert Vista (12-15, 4-4 Fiesta Region) April 26 and 27.

Last year the regular season concluded the same way (two games against DV), and the Thunder won both games en route to earning the final postseason berth.

The 14th-seeded Broncos were eliminated in two games in the double-elimination postseason format and finished last season in a 1-6 manner.

But Brophy has made tremendous progress since last season revolving around the maturation of their junior players.

Outfielder Chris Beall, second baseman Emilio Torrez, outfielder/pitcher Dave Graybill, and catcher John Rapisarda lead the strong junior class.

The No. 6 Broncos are consistent, they beat the bottom feeders and average teams, but lose to the elite competition.

For Desert Vista, they are once again on the bubble for making the postseason and after losing to 9-16 Chandler, they may have to win out to get in.

The Thunder have offensive firepower in Ryan Modi and Shaun Chase (stats hyperlinked), but have struggled mightily pitching giving up 7.3 runs/game.

Cleaning out the notebook while Spring Break is here

Graybill and Brophy Baseball win on Mercy Rule by Erik Masingill '12

Devon Allen has bright future by Richard Obert/Arizona Republic

Kevin Cron: Swatting his way into record book by Kyle Odegard/East Valley Tribune

ASU hoops need Jahii Carson and his swagger by Dan Blickley/Arizona Republic

Brophy Tennis seeking third straight state championship (5A-I bracket)


Track and Field Notes from 2nd place finish at Toro Invite:

Devon Allen '13 ran the 110 meter hurdles for the first time all season. He was injured earlier this year practicing them. Allen also set his personal record in the 100 meter dash (10.83), a school record. Allen has now qualified for state in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 110 meter hurdles, 4 X 100 meter relay, and the 4 X 400 meter relay.

The school sophomore 4 X 800 record was also cleared at the meet by Marco Ruiz '13, Jack Rubenzer '13, Michael Stanek '14, and Taylor Hawfield '13. Interesting to note a freshman on the sophomore 4 X 8 team. Marcus Mehlhaf-Brown '11 thinks the record he set two years ago is faster than the one recorded.

Distance runner Janssen turns around season

By Justin Janssen '11

Behind the mask of Admiral Ackbar and chemistry goggles used during a rap, Justin Janssen '11 is a track athlete on a mission.

However, early in the season, chances of a successful senior track season looked bleak at best.

Janssen noticed the scarcity of senior runners on the distance team; many of them had quit before the season even started.

Janssen then left many of the track practices early, and started to fall into the habits of a second semester senior.

He became worried that he would not even qualify to run at meets.

At the time trial Janssen ran a 6:20 mile, qualifying by 10 seconds, but it was the worst mile Janssen ran since the very first meet he competed in.

Mike Keahon '78 has a qualifying time because he doesn't want slower runners to be embarrassed by the 'pity clap' when crossing the finish line behind everyone else.

After observing more early exits from practice and nonchalant behavior from Janssen, distance coach Ted Skowron asked Janssen, "Do you still want to be on this team?"

He replied yes, and then realized it was time for a change.

University of Georgia (his favorite school) football coach Mark Richt has a saying, "Finish the Drill."

That's exactly what Janssen did, finish the drill.

There was speculation that the meet vs. Dobson April 6 at Brophy Sports Campus would be the last for senior runners.

Janssen's parents were on hand for the first time all season, and they would not be disappointed.

On a stormy night, Janssen brought the thunder, leaving spectators shell-shocked at what they just witnessed.

Janssen set personal records in the mile (5:38) and the half-mile (2:32).

The times were 10 seconds and three seconds better than Janssen's all-time bests.

Brophy distance duo on verge of mile record

By Justin Janssen '11

The mile (1600 meters) is Track and Field's most prestigious competition.

The pain elite milers overcome during races is unbearable.

People use the figure in daily use; they determine how many miles it is to the grocery store or how many miles it is to a friend's house.

The most sought after record for Brophy could fall later this year.

Charles Hampton '04, Brophy mile and two-mile record holder, is sweating more so than he did in races with Tommy Williams '11 and Will Firth '11 breathing down his throat.

At one of the more prestigious track meets in Arcadia, Calif, Williams (4:16.97) and Firth (4:17.87) ran personal record times in the mile.

To say Hampton's 4:15.2 1600 meter record is in jeopardy would be an understatement.

The mile is approximately 30 feet longer than 1600 meters, meaning Williams is a couple tenths of a second from the record.

Head distance coach Mike Keahon '73 said Firth wasted a couple of seconds in the race when he was boxed out.

Once boxed out, Firth had to drop back and go around the rest of the runners to reach the front.

To complement Keahon, the former Brophy 800 meter record holder, the distance team has Alex Mason '05, a younger Brophy legend.

"Alex is really helping me with the mental aspects of running, something that I have struggled with the past couple years," said Firth. "He has helped me (and still is helping me) deal with pressures and anxiety, race planning, and just staying relaxed both in and out of a race."

“Our coach (Keahon) constantly talks about them (Hampton and Mason) and compares us to them so I’m always striving to beat their times and records,” Firth said.

Baseball captures two victories vs. Mesa in five days

Brophy 10
Mesa 5

By Justin Janssen ’11
THE ROUNDUP

Dan Winkler ’11 saw action in only four games a season ago playing catcher.

Winkler knew he wouldn’t get more playing time this year behind the plate, and with the graduation of a couple senior infielders, switched positions to first base.

The position change paid off for Brophy (15-6) and Winkler in a 10-5 Brophy victory over Mesa (11-13) April 8 at Opus Field.

Winkler had three hits – including the game’s only home run, and scored the go-ahead run as Brophy knocked off the Jackrabbits for the second time in five days.

“Winkler was the star tonight,” said Brophy head coach Tom Succow.

The bats came to life for the Broncos as they recorded 14 hits – 6 extra base hits – and scored 10 runs in six innings.

“The key to our offense was that we brought a lot more energy,” Succow said, “Our approach at the plate was good, and we turned together some quality at bats.

Chris Beall ’12 and Dave Graybill ’12, Brophy’s starting pitcher and cleanup hitter, had RBI hits in the first inning putting the Broncos in front 2-0.

In the second inning catcher John Rapisarda ’12 made a throwing error that resulted in two tying runs for Mesa.

Mesa starting pitcher Schyler Dush threw three wild pitches in the bottom of the inning, allowing Winkler to score the go-ahead run.

“(Dush) came in at 5-1, so we thought he’d give us fits,” Succow said.

Rapisarda added a sacrifice fly, Beall hit an RBI triple and Winkler homered, pushing Brophy’s lead to 6-2 after four innings.

The Jackrabbits chased Graybill in the fifth after a number of lengthy at bats.

Graybill threw 30 pitches in 2/3 of the fifth inning and after he hit an opposing batter, Succow replaced him with Nick Jones ’11.

Jones allowed the next two batters to reach base on singles through the middle and suddenly Brophy’s lead was cut to 6-5.

Winkler responded to Mesa’s rally by adding an insurance run on an RBI double.

In the sixth inning, Brophy added three more runs off of two relievers.

Jones settled down and retired the final seven batters he faced.

Brophy’s next game will be against the Chandler Wolves (8-12, 0-4 Fiesta Region) April 12 at Opus Field.

After five month rest, Wolf returns to track for one final race

By Justin Janssen '11

Patrick Wolf '11 has a love-hate persona surrounding him.

Some don't like him because he has a raspy voice and talks up a storm, but others appreciate his knowledge regarding a wide variety of subjects.

Wolf claims to be a sports/betting expert, but he lost the only bet I took up with him, resulting in a shaved head, and his NCAA tournament bracket finished in the lower 5 percent at Brophy.

Wolf has ran varsity cross country and track since his freshman year, but in his eighth semester at Brophy, Wolf decided to quit the team.

"I realized I could not score at one of the big meets this year (state championship/Chandler Rotary), " said Wolf. "The gap was growing between me and the top distance runners at Brophy (Will Firth '11 and Tommy Williams '11)."

On Tuesday, Wolf approached coaches Mike Keahon '73, Steve Smith '96, and Alex Mason '05, asking to compete in one last meet - the next day vs. Dobson.

"I came back for one last meet to run one race on the new track for my dad, something he didn't get to see at the inaugural meet last season."

The only word head distance coach Keahon could muster up with was "whatever" when asked about Wolf running in the meet.

"I think he thinks he'll win," said assistant coach Smith. "But he'll die out."

Wolf had not run since November, when cross country ended, but was confident he could win the junior varsity mile race.

"The longest I've run since the state meet in November was from one baseline to the next playing basketball, so if I run somewhere in the range of 5:20 I'd be ecstatic."

There weren't enough runners for the two separate races, forcing Wolf compete against the varsity squads of Brophy and Dobson.

Wolf finished the race in fourth place, proudly displaying his 5:06 mile time.

"Coach always says 'you just gotta compete' and I felt I just went out there and told myself I wanted this badly which carried me through those last couple laps."

Outlook of Tenative 2011 Football Schedule

By Justin Janssen '11

A computer program for the Arizona Institute for Athletics (AIA) generated eight of the 10 games displayed on the schedule in order to reduce travel costs. After the eight computerized games were slotted, the Broncos added Westview and Red Mountain to fill their 2011 football schedule. The dates the following games will be played will be announced April 27.

vs. North Canyon
vs. Bolder Creek
vs. Saint Mary's
vs. Sandra Day O'Connor
vs. Westview
at Mountain Pointe
at Mountain Ridge
at Pinnacle
at Westwood
at Red Mountain

Brophy will play only one team from the Fiesta Region (Red Mountain). The rivalry with St. Mary's continues to stand the test of time. Brophy had dominated their annual affair with St. Mary's, but the Knights played inspired football in their upset victory.

Last season the No. 13 seeded Broncos upset Mountain Ridge, making it the third consecutive season that Brophy beat the Mountain Lions. In the next round, the Broncos did not give up an offensive touchdown to Mountain Pointe, but still found themselves on the short end of the stick.

North Canyon was bounced in the first round of the 5A-I playoffs. They last met Brophy in 2004 with the Broncos coming out victorious. Westwood split two games with Brophy in 2005 and 2006. They were the final team in the 5A-I playoffs with a 5-7 record.

Boulder Creek was bounded by Westview in the 5A-II playoffs a season ago. Westview won 10 games last season and played Chapparal tough in the semifinals.

Like Boulder Creek and Westview, Pinnacle and Sandra Day O'Connor previously resided in the 5A-II conference before the current realignment. Pinnacle made the playoffs as a 14 seed and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Sandra Day O'Conner was undefeated last season until the second round of the playoffs.

* schedule source: East Valley Tribune

Baseball reaching home stretch

The Brophy Broncos (12-6) played one game against a region foe before splitting four games in the Big League Dugout Invitational.

The Broncos knocked off the Red Mountain Mountain Lions 11-7 in their ballpark March 25.

Since then, Brophy has achieved a top 5 ranking in two major publications; The Arizona Republic and The East Valley Tribune.

However, in power points, a computerized ranking system that determines playoff seedings, the Broncos sit seventh.

To conclude the regular season, Brophy plays nine games against region foes - the last time Brophy will be classified in a region. Next year the AIA is adopting three larger sections instead of the many regions.

The Fiesta Region may not be as dominant as it is in the main two sports - football and basketball, but it's full of teams and players ready to prove themselves.

Outfielder and relief pitcher Joe Maggi '11 has to prove himself on a daily basis because he is
coming off of an ACL injury ending his senior year of high school football.

Maggi sparks Brophy's offense in the leadoff spot; last season he hit led the team with a .446 batting clip and swiped 20 bases.