I filled out my “homer bracket” for the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament this morning; and I have Hopkins, UMBC, Navy, and Maryland all winning in Round 1. I then have Hopkins and UMBC going to the Final Four (which actually departs from my Maryland homerism, but stick with me here); and I have Hopkins falling to Syracuse for the NCAA Championship.
As a Maryland alum, I despise Johns Hopkins. But there’s no argument about Dave Pietramala’s abilities late in the season. He just doesn’t lose. He’s like a machine.
Of course, a Virginia-Cornell-Duke-Syracuse semifinals seems more likely, which means I will spend the final weekend AWAY from Foxborough.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say……
Best of Sunday’s WNST Blogs:
Nestor Aparicio says Borel told WNST he’s coming to Pimlico
Drew Forrester thinks Birds will cut Freel after he returns from DL, bring up Reimold
Drew Forrester says Birds take 6 game losing streak to Tampa
Glenn Clark says “Birdland” particularly exciting this year
Chris Bonetti says Homewood Field only local venue hosting NCAA Tournament on first weekend
Cliff Saunders says horse racing ‘needs’ story like Mine That Bird
Bryan Powell says Gulls will likely have to beat Mustangs twice in Owings Mills this season to win title
Ed Frankovic wonders if anyone bet on Mine That Bird just because of #8
Rex Snider enjoyed NASCAR race with WNST fans
ORIOLES:
MLB.com’s Larry Millson says 20,000 see Jays sweep Birds at Rogers Centre
The Official Site provides numerical evidence of loss
MLB.com’s Larry Millson says Sarfate heads to DL due to ‘circulatory problem’
MLB.com’s Larry Millson says McCrory called up, joined team in Toronto on 27th birthday
MLB.com’s Larry Millson says Montanez, Jays’ Snider met in last year’s Eastern League Home Run Derby
Blue Jays Official Site’s Jordan Bastian says Scott Richmond now 4-0 after giving up 3 runs in 7 innings
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Trembley ejected in 5th inning of loss for defending Huff’s strike three argument
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Carl Crawford brings 17-17 stolen base attempts into series with O’s
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Sherrill’s closer job now ‘day to day’
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Keys’ Waring amongst best power hitting prospects in organization
The AP says Wells, Rios homered for Jays in win over Birds
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Reimold hit over .400 in April
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Norfolk’s Salazar has hitting streak snapped at 18 games
Toronto Star’s Morgan Campbell says Jays finished off first 3 game sweep of season
Toronto Sun’s Mike Rutsey says Richmond has become Jays’ 2nd best starter
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Geoff Peckham says Mason didn’t take receiver discussion ‘personally’
Examiner Phil Macek says Beck signing could be ‘stroke of genius’ by Ravens
ESPN.com’s James Walker doesn’t think Mason situation will ‘intensify’
ESPN.com’s James Walker thinks Ravens will get deal done with Suggs this offseason
TERRAPINS LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Terps to open NCAA Tournament at 7th seeded Notre Dame
Inside Lacrosse’s Jon Brand says Terps only team having to fly to face first round opponent
Inside Lacrosse’s Chris Grady says Terps got in as ‘bubble’ team
Inside Lacrosse’s Christian Swezey says Yeatman facing former team when Terps visit Irish Sunday
Inside Lacrosse’s John Jiloty says Terps might not have gotten in without win over Duke
Examiner Steve DeClue says Cottle will have ‘hot’ seat with loss to Notre Dame
The Diamondback’s Michael Katz says Terps ‘finished strong’ with win over Yale
The Diamondback’s Michael Katz says Terps-Irish winner will face Syracuse-Siena winner next
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says wins over Duke, Carolina got Terps IN
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
Rivals.com’s Mike Farrell says Terps get commitment from PA QB prospect (must subscribe)
Turtle Sports Report’s Tyler Radecki says Terps ‘in picture’ for OT prospect Leifheit
Turtle Sports Report’s Tyler Radecki says TE commit Sean Fitzpatrick looking to ‘put on weight’ during offseason
UMBC LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Retrievers to open NCAA Tournament at 6th seeded North Carolina
Inside Lacrosse’s Christian Swezey says Zimmerman facing Carolina team he almost ended up coaching
HOPKINS LACROSSE:
The Official Site says 8th seeded Jays to host Brown on ESPN2 in first round of NCAA Tournament
Inside Lacrosse offers official NCAA Tournament bracket
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Cavs likely waiting for Jays if they get through first round
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Cavs’ 3rd #1 seed still 8 behind Hopkins’ record
NAVY LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Mids to open NCAA Tournament at 3rd seeded Duke
Washington Post says Meade knows showdown with Blue Devils will be tough ‘transition’ game
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Mids, Devils playing for first time since 1999
NAVY FOOTBALL:
Go Mids’ Adam Nettina says Niumatalolo ‘encouraged’ by Mids in Spring (must subscribe)
LOYOLA LACROSSE:
Inside Lacrosse’s Terry Foy says Hounds left out due to lack of quality wins
Inside Lacrosse’s John Jiloty says win over Syracuse or Notre Dame would have gotten Hounds in Tournament
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Hounds miss Tournament for first time in 3 years
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Toomey thinks committee needs to set up more uniform parameters for Tournament selection
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Loyola was ‘tough decision’ for selection committee chair Pavlechko
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Hounds might be best team since ’02 to miss Tournament
STEVENSON LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Stangs to host Montclair State-Cabrini winner in first ever NCAA Tournament
Inside Lacrosse’s Geoff Shannon says Stangs, Gulls could show down in quarters
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Stevenson-Salisbury quarterfinal would be Wednesday, May 13
SALISBURY LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Gulls to open at Haverford in 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament
MT. ST. MARY’S LACROSSE:
The Official Site says DiBartolo, Brendan Flanagan named to All-MAAC Tournament team
HORSE RACING:
Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman says co-owner Mark Allen ‘will run’ Mine That Bird in Preakness if healthy
Thoroughbred Times’ Mike Curry says Papa Clem will definitely run Preakness
Thoroughbred Times’ Tim Nichols says father of Mark Allen involved in scandal
The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg says Grindstone (’96) last Derby winner to skip Preakness (injury)
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Preakness would benefit if Mine That Bird still has shot at Triple Crown
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Woolley came off as having ‘chip on shoulder’
The AP says ‘speed-biased’ Preakness might not suit Derby winner so well
Washington Post’s Andrew Beyer says Mine That Bird should have been 200-1 long shot
ESPN.com’s Paul Moran says Federico Tesio Stakes winner Miner’s Escape could be entrant for Preakness
ESPN.com’s Bill Finley calls Mine That Bird’s win ‘impossibility’
New York Post’s Ray Kerrison still can’t believe Mine That Bird pulled stunner
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Why WOULDN’T they run Mine That Bird at Preakness? I’m not saying he’ll win, but he certainly should run (as jockey Calvin Borel told Drew he would).
-There is no fix to the Orioles. When you put together a bad baseball team, you get bad results. The Orioles’ only other trick this season will be bringing Wieters up, which will get them some excitement for like…..a day.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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