Directions to George School

• Highlights

This coming spring, there is an air of quiet confidence floating around. As the 2012 team comes together, there is optimism that this team can make some noise in the Bucks County area, and in the FSL. Being led by senior, three year letter winner and co-captain Sam Kauker, the team will look for him to anchor the right corner of the infield while being asked to pitch as our second starter. Kauker's bat will be equally important, as we look for him to secure the clean up spot.

Junior two year letter winner and co-captain George Long will assume the role as one of our starters this season. Long will be asked to be our number one starter in many cases. He will also solidify a young infield by moving to short stop from his left side corner. Long may be plugged into the three or five spot in the batting line-up.

Senior and two year letter winner Julian Strachan will be one of our pitchers. Strachan, who has been working during the off-season to improve his control, is showing great signs of improvement and will be an important cog in the new machine.

Senior, four year letter winner, and outfielder Phil Ozar will be asked to anchor our offense as the primary lead off hitter. Ozar has the tools to be an effective offensive player. He will also be a staple in right field.
 
Junior outfielder and second year letter winner Asa Brooker will be a strong presence in the line-up, as he will be needed to add power and speed. Brooker will also be an anchor in centerfield.

Returning youngster, sophomore Aidan Greer, will be a utility player this year. He will be working with the outfielders at times, and also playing some short stop and second base. Greer's versatility certainly will give the Cougars some flexibility.

We will be looking forward to contributions from Greer's fellow sophomores and first year varsity members Michael McGinnis, Peter Ryan, and Brennan Kinnel. Juniors and first year varsity players Nick Gonzalez and Andy Young will be asked to fulfill important roles. Gonzalez on the mound and at first base, while Young will be taking over duties in left field. Senior Curran Prasad will be a utility player. Prasad can play any of the outfield positions and has a solid bat.

Directions to Germantown Friends School

• Highlights

In what can only be described as surprising, the Cougars lost their first game of the season to FSL rival GFS, 18-3. It was surprising considering how well the team has been preparing for this season. Sophomore Michael McGinnis gave the visiting Cougars their first hit of the season in the third inning when he singled to center with two outs. After two walks were issued to junior Andy Young and senior Curran Prasad, senior outfielder Phil Ozar stepped in to deliver a two-out double to right-center field, driving in three runs. Senior co-captain Sam Kauker had the only other Cougar hit. Defensively, the Cougars showed their grit early when junior co-captain George Long picked off a runner at first and the team executed a rundown situation into an out at the plate, nullifying a big hit by GFS. Nonetheless, the team will work to improve defensively, as we gave up 4 infield singles and committed 4 errors. The Cougars will play on the road at Princeton Day School on Thursday.

Directions to Princeton Day School

• Highlights

The Cougars traveled to Princeton Day School to take on another team that spent time during the spring in Florida! Nonetheless, the Cougars, led by senior co-captain Sam Kauker, showed they were ready to play. Sam was sharp on the mound and held the PDS team to only 5 hits on the day. After surrendering two runs in the 2nd inning, we scored our first run at the top of the third inning. In the bottom of the third inning, we surrendered another run and went to the 4th down 3-2. Sophomore Brennan Kinnel had a sophomore-like day. At third, he made a nice play cutting in front of sophomore short stop Aidan Greer, and throwing a strike across the infield. He also started a nice double play. He came in to finish the last two innings of the game on the mound, throwing strikes and holding PDS to zero runs. But defensively, we committed too many mistakes to hold off a 4th inning rally by PDS that put our team down 8-2. Offensively, sophomore Michael McGinnis moved into the clean-up spot and responded well. He had a two hit day. Senior Phil Ozar also produced early in the game with two hits.  And junior centerfielder Asa Brooker had a double and RBI. We ended the game with 7 hits. However, we also had 11 strike outs. The team will travel to Perkiomen School on Tuesday and finish the week with two league games against AFS and FCS.

Directions to Perkiomen School

• Highlights

The Cougars traveled to Perkiomen School to take on a strong Perkiomen squad. Sophomore Peter Ryan got his first start of the season and did a fine job on the mound. Although Perkiomen managed 13 hits, they hit only two extra base hits. Peter kept the ball down in the zone and, on another day, may have gotten some of the "just missed" calls for strikes. Junior left fielder Andy Young got the Cougars' only hit on the day. However, the rest of the line-up stepped up from the last outing recording only 4 strike outs. The Cougars put the ball in play. Around the infield, there were plays made that gave the coaches some assurance that the team is beginning to mature. Sophomore third baseman Brennan Kinnel came up with some nice aggressive plays at third and, offensively, delivered a precise sacrifice to move Andy into scoring position. Sophomore catcher Michael McGinnis handled his duties behind the plate with poise. Essentially, Michael called the game for Peter. The Cougars will play at home for the first time this season against FSL opponent, Abington Friends. They will then travel to FCS on Saturday.

Directions to George School

• Highlights

The Cougars finally got some runs and some hits. Senior OF Phil Ozar opened up the gates with a single in the first inning. Sophomore Aidan Greer followed him with a walk giving room for junior Asa Brooker to reach  base on a single. With bases loaded, junior co-captain George Long drove in our first two runs with a fielder's choice. Sophomore catcher Michael McGinnis continued his hot streak with a hit in the third inning that brought in two runs. But the hottest bat was Ozar who finished the game 3-3 with two triples, two RBI and three runs scored. Senior co-captain Sam Kauker finished the game with two RBI and combined with Long to pitch a 4 inning shut out, both combining to give up 2 walks and zero hits. The Cougars travel to FCS on Saturday to take on the Phoenix.

Directions to Friends' Central School

• Highlights

After putting all the pieces in place, our goal was to keep this game close and play solid defense. We turned to junior Nick Gonzalez to take the hill. After a quick start with a strike out of FCS's first batter, Gonzalez allowed a pair of walks. A pair of ensuing throwing errors led to two quick runs and then a hit scored the third run in the inning. And then the Cougars played the best defensive game of the season. At the top of the second inning, we chose to put the ball in senior co-captain Sam Kauker's hands. Kauker was just short of miraculous. He recorded 5 strikeouts, issued only 2 walks, allowed just two hits, and gave up zero runs over 5 innings. Defensively our team settled in as well. Centerfield junior Asa Brooker had 3 attempts and executed successfully on all three. At shortstop, junior co-captain George Long made three plays on his three attempts. Sophomore third baseman Brennan Kinnel had two attempts and completed plays on both. Gonzalez, after moving to first base, saved a potential game changing play by using his six foot five inch frame to snare an errant throw and hold the base for an out. Offensively, sophomore Aidan Greer had a hit and sophomore Michael McGinnis had the only other base hit. Nonetheless, the Cougars put the ball in play and forced the defense to make plays. Kinnel had a nice line-drive to left-center field that could have produced at least one run, but great defense prevented the Cougars from getting on the board. George School plays host to rival Westtown on Tuesday.

Directions to George School

• Highlights
• Press

The Cougars took some of the momentum they generated during Saturday's game into Tuesday's game against rival Westtown. Junior co-captain George Long earned his first win with a 9 strike out and zero walk effort. Senior co-captain Sam Kauker closed the door on Westtown's bid to get back into the game with excellent pitching down the stretch; Kauker allowed two hits over the two innings, but induced four pop outs and two ground outs on the way to a 3-1 victory for the Cougars. Offensively, the Cougars continued their ways with too many strikeouts, but the resiliency of the team is beginning to show itself. Sophomore Brennan Kinnel broke up our two inning slump with a well-earned double to center. Kinnel turned the corner at first with a full head of steam and slid safely into second base with his first extra base hit of the season. Although the Cougar offense didn't take advantage of the double, the score remained 0-0 after 3 innings. Westtown took advantage of a miscue by our defense and a double by their number two hitter. Again, the Cougars held strong through the inning and secured three fly ball outs to end the inning. At the end of the fouth inning, the Cougars showed their resiliency! Kauker hit a triple and after three walks and a miscue by Westtown, the Cougars were on the board. In the fifth inning, the Cougars once again took advantage of a base runner after senior Phil Ozar singled, stole second and third and scored on a single by junior Asa Brooker. Brooker then stole second and third, moving into scoring position for Kauker who earned an RBI on a fielder's choice. The Cougars will travel to Shipley School on Friday. In the meantime, they will be working on hitting so that we can relieve some of the defensive pressure! It was a good Moose Point earning win!!!

"Varsity Baseball Defeats Westtown"
philly.com, April 17, 2012

Directions to George School

• Highlights

After a disappointing loss the day before, the Cougars had to play host to a hot Lower Moreland team. As the morning became afternoon, several of the Cougars starters would have a day of rest after two emotionally draining games this week. In their places were seniors Curran Prasad, Charlie McGlinsky, and Julian Strachan, who made his first start on the mound this season. In the first inning, Strachan worked himself out of the inning and only gave up two runs on three hits. At the bottom of the inning, the Cougars were ready for the challenge. Sophomore Aidan Greer led off the inning with a single, one of three hits on the day for Greer. Sophomore Peter Ryan earned his first RBI of the season with a double that scored Greer. Sophomore catcher Michael McGinnis then walked. Sophomore Brennan Kinnel then walked, while junior Nick Gonzalez was hit by a pitch. A walk by Prasad led to another run. At the end of the inning, the Cougars had captured the lead. 

In the third inning, Lower Moreland managed 4 runs. Strachan also recorded two strike outs. In the fourth inning, the Cougars managed another run when senior Charlie McGlinsky got his first hit of the season and scored a run on Greer's double. Going into the fourth inning, sophomore Peter Ryan took over on the mound and had a great first inning. In the fifth inning, Ryan struggled at first but settled in and made his way out of the inning surrendering just one run. In the sixth and seventh innings, sophomore Brennan Kinnel took over on the mound and was lights out. In the 6th, Kinnel had a strike out, while junior Andy Young made an incredible diving catch out in left center field. Kinnel then gave up a hit followed by a ground ball out to end the inning. In the seventh, with the Cougars up one run, Kinnel gave up a lead off hit, induced a pop fly to left, and then struck out the next two batters to put the game away. Cougars 8, Lower Moreland 7.

Directions to George School

• Highlights

The Cougars hosted conference rival MFS and played solid baseball for four of the seven innings. Unfortunately, the team didn't hit the ball well and gave a game away. After surrendering three runs in the third inning, the team locked in again and held MFS to just one run in the next three innings. In the final stanza, we gave up an insurance run to MFS after we got on the board with two runs in the sixth inning. Unfortunately, we just didn't hit the ball well. We could muster only 4 hits on the day. The Cougars will play host to FSS on Thursday.

Directions to George School

• Highlights

On Thursday, the top team in the FSL came to Newtown to play against the Cougars. Senior co-captain Sam Kauker did  a great job of keeping FSS off balance in the batter's box, and his defense was stellar for the most part. In the first four innings, Kauker recorded two K's and forced 5 ground balls and two pop outs. He gave up just two hits in the first four innings. Unfortunately, we gave up four hits in the fourth inning, and committed some "mental errors" that lended for FSS to take a commanding five to zero lead. As the Cougars were more aggressive at the plate, they began to see some success. 

Junior Nick Gonzalez entered the game on the mound and held down FSS, recording one strike out and inducing two ground balls. In the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore catcher Michael McGinnis got another rally started with a double to right center field. Junior co-captain George Long, who played well at SS in sophomore Aidan Greer's absence, hit a ball to right field to score junior Chris May, who pinch ran for McGinnis. Junior Andy Young was hit by a pitch and sophomore Brennan Kinnel hit a single to score Long. Sophomore Peter Ryan got a hit to move Kinnel to second. After a double by senior Phil Ozar, Kauker stepped up to the after Ozar tied the game at five. Kauker hit a line-drive right back at the pitcher who then turned to double Ozar off second base. The rally was squelched, but the spirit of the team was renewed.  In the extra frame, the Cougars relinquished two runs and at the bottom of the inning couldn't get those runs back. The Cougars will play at ANC on Friday.

Directions to Academy of the New Church

• Highlights
• Press

After an emotionally charged come back on Thursday, the Cougars traveled to ANC to take on another FSL rival. The Cougars decided to put sophomore Peter Ryan on the mound to take on the Lions. Ryan was solid for 6 innings. He recorded 7 strike outs and only issued two walks. He allowed 6 hits over his 6 innings. 

To lead off the game, senior Phil Ozar, who is starting to find his stroke at the plate, led off the game with a triple to right center field. He scored on junior Asa Brooker's double to center field. Brooker scored on senior co-captain Sam Kauker's single. In the frame, sophomore catcher Michael McGinnis got the first of his three hits on the day. Ozar ended the day with a triple, two singles and a double. After taking an early lead, the Cougars gave up a run in the first and then two in the fifth. ANC then tied the game at 4 in the sixth inning. In what would be described as a well-played game, a few miscues made the real difference. In the seventh inning, neither team made a dent in the tie. Junior co-captain George Long went to the mound to close out the last two innings allowing no hits. 

Offensively, at the top of the eighth inning, the bats simply came alive. Once again, actually for the fourth time this season, sophomore McGinnis started a rally with his second hit. After a sacrifice bunt by Long moved McGinnis to second, junior Andy Young got walked and was followed by a double by junior Nick Gonzalez down the right field line. Ozar then added his fourth hit with a double to right center field. Ryan then score him with a single and added two stolen bases to get to third. Kauker got walked and sophomore Brennan Kinnel hit a sacrifice to left field to score Ryan. Long then singled for his second hit of the game to right field and scored McGinnis. Young, who had a two hit day, singled and Gonzalez, who ended the game with two hits, grounded out to short to end the rally. At the bottom of the frame, Long pitched to four batters and ended the game. The Cougars will host GFS on Tuesday.

"George School Baseball Wins 12-4"
phillyBurbs.com, April 27, 2012

Directions to George School

• Highlights

George School needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but fell short against GFS 9-5. During the game, the Cougars stayed within striking distance but couldn't get over the hump. The Cougars play again on Wednesday against Morrisville High School.

Directions to Morrisville High School

• Highlights
• Press

Although it was a game played under misty, soggy conditions at Morrisville High School, the Cougars were prepared for the weather and for a win. To begin the game, our coach helped the young guys from Morrisville who were trying their best to get the field ready for the game. After handing in our line-up card to the home team, we had to make some adjustments. Senior co-captain Sam Kauker started at second base as sophomore Peter Ryan got his third start of the season on the hill. Sophomore Aiden Greer, still recovering from his illness last week, started at short, and junior Nick Gonzalez was at first base. Sophomore Brennan Kinnel got the start at third, but gave way to senior Julian Strachan after the third inning. The outfield stayed in tact until the third inning.

As the game progressed, we began to make several changes as sophomore catcher Michael McGinnis, who hasn't had an inning off since the first game, sat out after the third inning giving way to junior Chris May who caught for two innings. While McGinnis was in the game, he had one put out. After catching, May moved to left field, Kauker went behind the plate, junior OF Andy Young moved to third base, and senior OF Charlie McGlinsky went to right field replacing senior Phil Ozar, who had two hits on the day. McGlinsky had two opportunities in right field and handled both fly balls. Young had two ground balls at third and executed both without incident. Kauker actually played one inning at short and handled his only opportunity for an out. 

Ryan pitched a terrific game. He allowed just four hits over six innings, recording four strike outs. In the seventh inning, we turned to Strachan to close out the game. He threw just 11 pitches and recorded two strike outs. On the final play, junior center fielder Asa Brooker ran down a gapper and hit the cutoff man, Greer, who then threw a strike to third base where Young awaited the throw. The base runner was out by several feet to end the game.

Offensively, the Cougars recorded 13 hits and scored 15 runs. Kauker had four hits; Greer had three hits. Three other players had two hits.

“Baseball Team Posts Win Over Morrisville”
Bucks County Courier Times, May 3, 2012