Monday Morning’s Crabs and Beer

I can’t tell you how important Hopkins’ win over Hofstra was yesterday.

With the win, we are now guaranteed that a school from the state of Maryland will go to the Final Four in Foxborough. Navy will play Hopkins next Saturday in Annapolis, that winner advances to the national semifinals.

Maryland could also go to the Final Four with a win over Virginia, but that will be much more difficult.

I was streaming UMBC/Virginia tonight (Gary Stein was one of the best people I’ve worked with in Baltimore); and every time I was reminded that a Virginia player was from the state of Maryland; I wanted to scream.

It is vital that a local team be in the Final Four if for no other reason than to help keep local talent local. Maryland produces the best lacrosse players in the world. It would be nice if they would play college ball here instead of going to Charlottesville, Durham, New Jersey, etc.

Right now, I’ll say Duke, Syracuse, Virginia, and Navy go to Gillette Stadium.

Let’s see what everyone else has to say…..

Casey Willett says Harbaugh experimenting with players at different positions

Nestor Aparicio says no defending Quiroz’s hitting

The Official Site’s Mark Dent says Bannister stellar as Royals shut out Birds

The Official Site provides numerical evidence of loss

The Official Site’s Mark Dent says Cintron called up, McCrory sent down

The Official Site’s Mark Dent says Walker keeping positive attitude despite recent struggles

Royals Official Site’s Max Utsler says KC gets first win in last 13 vs. Orioles

The AP says beating Birds important for Royals’ pride

The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Birds remain positive despite swing ending loss

The Sun’s Dan Connolly says R. Hernandez concerned about wrist injury

The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Birds get just 2^nd scheduled day off since April 2 today

The Sun’s Bill Free says Terrero hottest hitter on farm

The Sun’s Roch Kubatko expected more power from Scott

The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says Birds stuck with Walker

The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says Rowell heating up on farm

The Examiner’s Michael Olesker says Brooks deserves statue in Baltimore

Washington Post’s Marc Carig says despite loss, trip to KC straightened Birds’ course

Washington Post’s Marc Carig says Cintron will come off bench for now

Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger says Bannister snaps personal losing streak as well

The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Ravens using former WMU Hoops player Reitz, former FSU QB Lee in depleted TE corps

The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says three receiver feature set possible for Ravens

The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Mason impressed with Flacco’s arm strength

The Sun’s Don Markus says Daniels, Ross battling Rice for backup job

The Sun’s Don Markus says McGahee practiced; Heap, Washington, Walker, etc sat yesterday

The Examiner’s Ron Snyder says 52 won’t talk contract

Aaron Wilson says Barnes ready to break out

Aaron Wilson says Flacco catching on quickly

The Official Site says Big Brown jogs soggy Churchill track yesterday

The Sun’s Sandra McKee says Kentucky Bear owner wanted horse in Baltimore early

Washington Post’s Andrew Beyer says Eight Belles tragedy raising safety causes in sport

Washington Times’ Ryan O’Halloran says surface issue at Pimlico, elsewhere in sport

The Official Site says Rabil’s four goals advance Jays to quarterfinal showdown at Navy

Inside Lacrosse’s Geoff Shannon says Rabil proved Tewaaraton worthiness

The Sun’s Edward Lee says Jays make 18^th straight national quarterfinal

The Examiner’s Gary Lambrecht says Rabil continues dominance

The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Jays dominate throughout opening round win

Washington Post’s Christian Swezey says Jays avenge earlier loss to Hofstra

The Official Site says Dogs suffer ‘agonizing’ defeat at Virginia to end season

The Sun’s Whitelaw Reid says Dogs blew two goal lead in 2^nd half

Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Glading’s four goals move Cavs past Retrievers

The Official Site says Sailors advance to DIII quarters with win over Lynchburg

The Examiner’s Andrew Vitelli says Terps picked right game to learn to come from behind

The Examiner’s Jon Gallo says Mids used Academy ‘intangibles’ to beat Heels

The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Admiral would have gone to NBA after graduation if he had option

-I don’t take much from 3 of 4 against the Royals. This is still an awful baseball team.

-I enjoy the excitement John Harbaugh is bringing; but if the Ravens are 3-6 and Haloti Ngata is lining up on the offensive side of the ball; I might wish the team was working harder on run stopping during minicamp.

Talk to you tomorrow.

-G