Vol. LXI, No. 19
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Wednesday, May 9, 2007
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(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) MILLER TIME: Princeton Day School senior star Bam Miller awaits a pitch in recent action. Miller's production at the plate and on the mound have helped PDS get off to a 9-3 start. In upcoming action, PDS will play crosstown rival Hun this Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Mercer County Tournament. |
It was one of the few down moments in what has turned out to be an uplifting spring for the Princeton Day School baseball team.
Playing at the Pennington School on a chilly day in early April, PDS made critical errors and failed to cash in on two bases-loaded situations as it dropped a 3-0 decision to the Red Raiders.
Senior pitcher Bam Miller took the loss on the mound that day, despite giving up just four hits.
Last Wednesday, Miller toed the rubber again as the teams met for a rematch. In round two of the rivalry, Miller helped support himself, clubbing an RBI double which helped PDS take a 2-0 lead in the third inning.
Miller and the Panthers cruised from there as they posted a satisfying 8-2 win over the Red Raiders. Miller went six innings, striking out ten as PDS improved to 8-1 on the season.
As he took the mound for the rematch, Miller had a feeling that things would turn out differently for the Panthers. "We've really improved since then," said Miller. "We've got great hitters; we've been crushing the ball lately. Everybody from one to nine can hit the ball great. I think we're on a roll right now."
The Panthers continued to roll last Saturday as they topped Hopewell Valley 7-1 in the first round of the Mercer County Tournament to set up a quarterfinal matchup this Thursday with crosstown rival Hun at Mercer County Community College.
PDS did stub its toe, however, last Monday as it fell 5-1 to Montclair Kimberley in the state Prep B quarterfinals to move to 9-3 on the season.
A key to the Panthers' hot start has been its solid pitching and Miller was in rhythm in the win over Pennington. "I was hitting my spots," said Miller. "I felt great out there. Last time it was cold and we had trouble putting runs on the board. Today we got to them early and never looked back."
Miller has also worked hard on his hitting as he has produced from the number two spot in the PDS batting order. "Over the weekend, my dad and I went out Saturday and Sunday and did batting practice and fixed my swing up," said Miller. "I'm seeing the ball and hitting the ball much better now."
In Miller's view, PDS' work ethic and versatility have set the team apart. "Coach [Bruce] Devlin did a great job with us in the offseason," said Miller. "He hired a guy to help us with calisthenics and stretching. He also did a great job with us on our Florida trip before the season. We all knew we would have a great team this year. We have so many people who can play so many positions."
PDS head coach Devlin believes his team has deve-loped a winning attitude to go with its depth. "I think they are just playing with confidence," said Devlin. "They don't care who they are playing. We're playing good defense and we are getting great pitching. We're getting timely hits from the whole line-up, one through nine. We want to keep this going."
Devlin is hoping Miller can keep up his good mound work. "Bam has been great all year," said Devlin. "I think he let up his first earned run today and he has pitched something like 24 innings this season. He has command of all his pitches. He's around the plate and he's confident."
In Devlin's view, the team's confidence is a product of its work ethic. "We have had great practices this year," asserted Devlin. "The kids come to work everyday. We still have some things to work on but they are here to work. I think we have a special team here; good things are happening."
One of PDS' special players is gifted freshman catcher Jon Scott. "Jon has been doing great, he's not your typical freshman," said Devlin. "He leads the team in RBIs (20); he's hitting .589. The kid is a hitter, he hits from foul line to foul line. He's a good target as a catcher."
Junior shortstop Clint O'Brien has been on target in all phases of his game. "Clint is hitting .545, and he's second on the team in RBIs," said Devlin.
"He's really played great defensively. We had that double play today with runners on first and third and we would not have done that last year."
Devlin is confident in his team's ability to make an impact in the MCT. "We are hitting and if we continue to get the pitching we have, we'll do great," said Devlin. "We're looking forward to all of the challenges."
Miller, for his part, is looking forward to the season's homestretch. "This is the best team I've been on in my four years at PDS," asserted Miller. "We are clicking. We've gotten into the flow; we've got the juices flowing."
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