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Monday, Feb. 23, 2009

Contributors

Economy: Joint statement on the economy, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Local News: Waynesboro City Council business meeting agenda, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Local News: Augusta County Board of Supervisors staff briefing agenda, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Local News: VDOT road work update, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Virginia Politics: Moran picks up Henrico endorsement, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Arts: Scholars to present original research at BC, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Arts: Levine, Strother to headline Hamner Cabaret series, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Sports: Diamond Dukes upset Coastal, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Sports: VCU drops baseball tilt to UCF, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Sports: EMU splits twin bill, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Sports: VCU rallies, takes down Hofstra in women’s hoops, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Sports: JMU women get late three, knock off Georgia State, Monday, 10:50 a.m.
Calendar: Today’s Events, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

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Economy: Joint statement on the economy, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Federal Reserve Board today issued the following joint statement:

“A strong, resilient financial system is necessary to facilitate a broad and sustainable economic recovery. The U.S. government stands firmly behind the banking system during this period of financial strain to ensure it will be able to perform its key function of providing credit to households and businesses. The government will ensure that banks have the capital and liquidity they need to provide the credit necessary to restore economic growth. Moreover, we reiterate our determination t o preserve the viability of systemically important financial institutions so that they are able to meet their commitments.

“We announced on February 10, 2009, a Capital Assistance Program to ensure that our banking institutions are appropriately capitalized, with high-quality capital. Under this program, which will be initiated on February 25, the capital needs of the major U.S. banking institutions will be evaluated under a more challenging economic environment. Should that assessment indicate that an additional capital buffer is warranted, institutions will have an opportunity to turn first to private sources of capital. Otherwise, the temporary capital buffer will be made available from the government. This additional capital does not imply a new capital standard and it is not expected to be maintained on an ongoing basis. Instead, it is available to provide a cushion against larger than expected future losses, should they occur due to a more severe economic environment, and to support lending to creditworthy borrowers. Any government capital will be in the form of mandatory convertible preferred shares, which would be converted into common equity shares only as needed over time to keep banks in a well-capitalized position and can be retired under improved financial conditions before the conversion becomes mandatory. Previous capital injections under the Troubled Asset Relief Program will also be eligible to be exchanged for the mandatory convertible preferred shares. The conversion feature will enable institutions to maintain or enhance the quality of their capital.

“Currently, the major U.S. banking institutions have capital in excess of the amounts required to be considered well capitalized. This program is designed to ensure that these major banking institutions have sufficient capital to perform their critical role in our financial system on an ongoing basis and can support economic recovery, even under an economic environment that is more challenging than is currently anticipated. The customers and the providers of capital and funding can be assured that as a result of this program participating banks will be able to move forward to provide the credit necessary for the stabilization and recovery of the U.S. economy. Because our economy functions better when financial institutions are well managed in the private sector, the strong presumption of the Capital Assistance Program is that banks should remain in private hands.”

 

Local News: Waynesboro City Council business meeting agenda, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

Waynesboro City Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building.

The meeting agenda includes:

1. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Consent Agenda (any item placed on the consent agenda shall be removed and considered as a separate matter, if so requested by any member of Council, otherwise all items will be voted on with one (1) motion).

a. Approval of minutes for the February 9, 2009 Regular Business Meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.

b. Consider approving the request from the Commissioner of Revenue to refund personal property taxes paid in error for two individuals, in the amounts of $219.25 and $80.12, respectively.

c. Consider a request from Kroger Food Stores for amplified music during a “Buddy Ball Carnival Fundraiser” in their parking lot at 245 Arch Avenue, on Saturday May 23, 2009 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

d. Second consideration/adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 78 of the Code of the City of Waynesboro to add a penalty for late and non-filers of property tax returns.

e. Second consideration/adoption of an ordinance appropriating $19,195 from a designated reserve for the benefit of the Waynesboro Health Department to the General Fund for building improvements at the Health Department Building for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009.

3. Consider adopting a proclamation proclaiming March as “Youth Art Month”, and present Proclamation to Ms. Pam Hammock from Wenonah Elementary School.

4. Hold a public hearing to receive public comment on local housing and community development needs in relation to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for a project in the community.

5. Second consideration/adoption of the amended ordinance amending Chapters 38 and 50 of the Code of Waynesboro to modify enforcement of noise violations.

6. Consider introducing the following ordinances:

a. Re-appropriating $574,203 of FY07 unspent funds held in the ACSA Joint Landfill Fund to the City’s Landfill Post-Closure Fund for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009.

b. Re-appropriating $250,000 of FY08 Correction and Detention Funds to the General Fund for the creation of a General Fund Debt Service Reserve for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009.

c. Appropriating a Title VI Grant in the amount of $74,930 to the District Wide and Elementary Central Office Funds for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009.

d. Appropriating $4,601.00 of unspent Fiscal Year 2008 Asset Forfeiture Revenue that had reverted to the General Fund Unreserved Fund Balance to a designated reserve for the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009.

e. Appropriating a Perkins Grant in the amount of $2,678 to the Secondary Central Office Fund for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009.

f. Appropriating $460 in DMV Family Friendly Funds from Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2009 to the General Fund for expenses related to a contribution to the Augusta County SPCA for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009.

7. Consider adopting a resolution petitioning Congress to work in cooperation with Interstate 81 Corridor states on a Federal transportation demonstration grant for a pilot segment of 21st Century rail, the North American Steel Interstate System.

8. Update on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget.

9. Citizen Comment Period.

10. Communication, Correspondence and Calendar.

11. Adjourn.

 

Local News: Augusta County Board of Supervisors staff briefing agenda, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

The Augusta County Board of Supervisors will meet for its monthly staff briefing today at 1:30 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona.

The agenda for the meeting includes:

1. A roads report from the local Virginia Department of Transportation office.

2. A presentation on services provided to Augusta County residents by the Augusta Free Dental Clinic.

3. The presentation on the Verona Community Food Pantry annual report.

4. Discussion of a resolution supporting a state funding request from the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Company for rail improvements.

5. Discussion of a resolution supporting a state funding request from the Buckingham Branch Railroad Company for rail improvements.

6. The presentation of an annual report on recycling.

7. Discussion of a resolution accepting the project administration agreement for the Scholastic Way Transportation Enhancement Grant Program project.

8. Presentation of the annual report of the Building Inspection Department.

9. Discuss (A) the recommendation of Parks and Recreation Commission to award a grant in an amount not to exceed $8,975 for installation of ball field lights and refurbishment of the restrooms at Churchville Elementary; and (B) approval of grant agreement.

10. Discuss (A) the recommendation of Parks and Recreation Commission to award a grant in an amount not to exceed $36,464 for expanding the spectator bleachers on the home side of football stadium, with handicapped accessibility, press box upgrades to include new windows, interior carpet, paint and new roof access, and update the stadium PA; and (B) approval of grant agreement.

11. Discuss (A) the recommendation of Parks and Recreation Commission to award a grant in an amount not to exceed $15,480 for an irrigation system for the baseball and softball outfields; and (B) approval of grant agreement.

12. Discuss (A) the recommendation of Parks and Recreation Commission to award a grant in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for an addition to install a warning track at the edge of the existing outfield, purchase of pipe and net expansion to protect the fire department roof and replacing roof on two dugouts; and (B) approval of grant agreement.

13. Discuss approval of three non-conventional systems in Shannon Lea Subdivision on Lot 10 (#84H((1)10), Lot 10 (#84H((1))17) and Lot 18 (#84H((1)18) as provided in § 11-13 (D) of the County Code.

14. Presentation by County Attorney on Constitutional and State Code requirements.

15. Discuss proposal to complete dam hazard analysis and coordinate with division of dam safety.

16. Presentation of the Augusta County Planning Commission annual report.

17. Discuss code modifications to allow Board of Supervisors to consider Special Use Permits requests.

 

Local News: VDOT road work update, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

Here is an updated list of highway work projects that might affect traffic in the Staunton Transportation District during the coming weeks. Work scheduled is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. Also, when traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

 

Rockbridge County

Interstate 64

* Mile marker 0 to 57, eastbound and westbound – Sign repair. Shoulder closed, Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Mile marker 41 to 57, eastbound and westbound – Debris removal. Monday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Various roads – Ditch cleaning, Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Various roads – Litter removal. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

Interstate 81

* Mile marker 174 to 205, northbound and southbound – Debris removal. Monday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Mile marker 195, eastbound and westbound – Roadway lighting construction. Shoulder closures, Monday to Friday, flagger traffic control.

* Various roads – Ditch cleaning, Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Various roads – Litter removal. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

Primary Roads

* (NEW) Route 11 – Roadway lighting construction. Shoulder closures, Monday to Friday, flagger traffic control.

* Route 130 – Bridge construction at Route 501 in Glasgow. Periodic single lane traffic with flagger traffic control, Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon. Completion is in September 13, 2010.

 

Secondary Roads

* Various roads – Brush cutting, shoulder repair. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., flagger traffic control.

* Various roads – Grading dirt roads, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

* Various roads – Litter removal.

 

Augusta County

Interstate 64

No lane closures reported.

 

Interstate 81

* Mile marker 205 to 237, northbound and southbound – Debris removal. Monday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Various roads – Litter removal. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* (NEW) Various roads – Ditch cleaning, Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

Primary Roads

* Route 11, southbound (Lee Jackson Highway) – Sewer line installation from Route 694 to Route 701. Shoulder closure and lane shift, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* (NEW) Route 252– Brush trimming from Route 262 to Route 701. Monday to Friday with flagger traffic control.

* Route 340, Waynesboro – Construction from Route 250 to Delphine Avenue for railroad bridge replacement and roadway widening, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Expect minor delays from Broad Street to Sixth Street for construction work. Sixth Street closed for sanitary sewer replacement, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Estimated completion is November, 2011.

* Various roads – Debris cleanup, brush trimming near signs.

 

Secondary Roads

* Route 612 – Pipe replacement from Route 663 to end of state maintenance, Monday to Friday. Traffic control.

* (NEW) Route 624 – Brush trimming from Route 634 to Route 664. Monday, Thursday and Friday with flagger traffic control.

* Route 631 – Shoulder repair, Monday to Friday. Flagger traffic control.

* Route 635 – Shoulder repair, Monday to Friday. Flagger traffic control.

* (NEW) Route 677 – Pipe replacement from Route 678 to Route 603, Tuesday. Flagger traffic control.

* (NEW) Route 682 – Pipe replacement from Route 682 to Route 252, Monday. Flagger traffic control.

* Route 701, westbound (Howardsville Road) – Sewer line work from Route 11 to Route 613. Shoulder closure. Work is 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Flagger traffic control.

* Route 701 – Shoulder repair, Monday to Friday. Flagger traffic control.

* (NEW) Route 732 – Pipe replacement from Route 613 to Route 728, Wednesday. Flagger traffic control.

* Route 742 – Tree removal at Route 744, Friday. Traffic control.

* Route 799 – Pipe replacement from Route 11 to Route 646, Monday to Friday. Traffic control.

* Various roads – Bridge maintenance, Monday to Friday.

* (NEW) Various roads – Machining dirt roads, Monday to Friday. Mobile lane closures.

* (NEW) Various roads – Pothole repair, Tuesday to Wednesday. Mobile lane closures.

 

Rockingham County

Interstate 81

* Mile marker 237 to 263, northbound and southbound – Litter and debris removal. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Mile marker 237 to 263, northbound and southbound – Repair, replace signs. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Mile marker 237 to 263, northbound and southbound – Anti-icing, Tuesday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Primary Roads

* Route 11, (North Valley Pike) – Utility pole replacement from Route 796 (Moores Mill Road) to Route 982 (Newdale School Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 33, westbound (Rawley Pike) – Utility pole replacement from Route 612 (Peake Mountain Road) to Route 840 (Maple Tree Lane). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 253 (Port Republic Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 704 (Osceola Springs Road) to Route 276 (Cross Keys Road). Westbound lane shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 256 (Third Street, Grottoes) – Commercial entrance and directional bores from Route 256 (Dogwood Avenue) and Forest Avenue. Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 257 (Mason Street, Dayton) – Entrance construction from Route 1204 (Ashby Street) to Route 1203 (Westview Street). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 276, eastbound (Cross Keys Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 33 (Spotswood Trail) to Route 253 (Port Republic Road). Shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Secondary Roads

* Route 641 (Cave Hill Road) – Road work from Route 843 (Cemetery Road) to Route 991 (Jacob Burner Road). Intermittent lane closures. Flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 648 (Dave Berry Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 996 (McGaheysville Road) to Route 641 (White Rose Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 676 (Oak Shade Road) – Directional bore. Work is from Route 276 (Cross Keys Road) to Route 674 (Duck Run Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 679 (Pleasant Valley Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 689 (Spaders Church Road) to Route 898 (Pleasant Drive). Shoulder closures controlled by flaggers. Blasting may occur. Work is Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 689 (Shen Lake Drive) – Sewer line installation from Route 253 (Port Republic Road) to Route 1003 (Cumberland Drive). Westbound shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 689 (Shen Lake Drive) – Sewer line installation from Route 253 (Port Republic Road) to Route 1030 (Lucy Long Drive). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road) in conjunction with Route 679 work – Sewer line installation from Route 679 (Pleasant Valley Road) to Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road). Occasional blasting may occur. Shoulder closure. One lane traffic controlled by flaggers. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road) – Sewer line work from Route 679 (Pleasant Valley Road) to Route 705 (Cottontail Trail). Shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 709 (Autumn Lane) – Sewer line installation from Route 704 (Osceola Springs Road) to Route 710 (Greendale Road). Westbound shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 794 (Canery Island Road) – Overhead line installation from Route 11 (North Valley Pike) and Route 620 (Mount Valley Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 981 (Rockingham Pike) – Overhead crossing, directional bore from Route 979 (Solsburg Road) to Route 829 (Mount Herman Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 1204 (Ashby Street) – Waterline installation from Route 1209 (Thompson Street) to Route 1201 (Turner Street). Shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Route 1304 (Sunset Drive, Dayton) – Sewer line installation between Route 257 (Mason Street) and 1209 (Thompson Street). Road closed. Traffic controlled by flaggers, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Virginia Politics: Moran picks up Henrico endorsement, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

Henrico School Board member Lamont Bagby announced his support of Brian Moran for Governor. Bagby represents the Fairfield district in Henrico’s East End.

“As a member of the Henrico County School Board and former school teacher, I believe Brian Moran is the right kind of leader the Commonwealth of Virginia needs, who understands the needs of public schools. Brian has been named the Child Advocate of the Year by the Virginia PTA and a true of friend of public education. I am confident he will make education and youth support services a top priority.”

In the last two weeks, Moran has announced the support of Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Herring along with the overwhelming majority of elected Democrats in Petersburg.

\”It’s terrific to have Lamont join our campaign,” Moran said. “He is the type of grassroots Democratic leader that powers this campaign. I look forward to working with Lamont and other local education leaders to make education a priority as Governor.”

Lamont Bagby is a graduate of Henrico High School. He has been an educator in Henrico County Public Schools since graduating from Norfolk State University.

 

Arts: Scholars to present original research at BC, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

Outstanding history scholars from colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth will descend upon Bridgewater College Feb. 28 for the Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference, where they will present original research in topics ranging from the American Civil War to European and world history.

Phi Alpha Theta is the national history honorary society. The panel presentations, which will occur in Bowman Hall classrooms from 9:15-10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.-noon and 2-3:15 p.m., are free and open to the public.

“It is a great honor for Bridgewater College to sponsor this year’s regional conference,” said Kara Dixon Vuic, assistant professor of history at BC and faculty adviser to Phi Alpha Theta. “The society brings together the best students in history departments across the country, and this conference will allow Bridgewater’s members to engage in scholarly conversations with members from other Virginia colleges and universities.”

Vuic noted that four Bridgewater seniors – Andrew Duffey of Westminster, Md., Stefani Strosnider of Keymar, Md., Robert “Eric” Wimer of Elkton, Va. and Adam Joseph Zucconi of Harrisonburg, Va. – will present papers in which they describe their original research.

 

Arts: Levine, Strother to headline Hamner Cabaret series, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

“The Blues Lady” Lorie Strother and Dr. Stephen Levine will appear at the Hamner Theater in Nellysford Saturday night.

Strother received her first standing ovation after singing at a school PTA function when she was nine years old. She has been performing her interpretation of acoustic blues since the early 1990s, in venues including church fellowship halls, coffee houses, college campuses, bars, and chicken shacks. Most recently, she appeared at the Wayne Theatre Alliance’s “River City Radio Hour” in Waynesboro. She has been called “a real blues woman [who’s] got soul” and her singing “assertive, expressive and sensitive. . . the true blues…with a big booming, bluesy voice.”

Levine is a historian who studies and teaches classes that focus on the evolution and cultural significance of blues music in the United States. As a guitarist, he is particularly interested in slide and finger picking styles that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, including Piedmont and Mississippi Delta Blues.

The Hamner Theatre Cabaret Performance Series offers great entertainment in a dinner club setting with fine wine and food. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets, which include food, are $20 or 2 for $35, in advance (reservations required). For information, phone 434 361 1999 or visit www.hamnertheater.com.

 

Sports: Diamond Dukes upset Coastal, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

Sophomore starter Turner Phelps (Roanoke, Va./Lord Botetourt) recorded nine strikeouts and sophomore short stop David Herbek (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) remained hot at the plate to lead James Madison past Coastal Carolina 8-6 on Sunday afternoon in the finale of the Caravelle Resort Invitational at Watson Stadium/Vrooman Field.

JMU improved to 1-3 on the season while CCU, ranked 22nd nationally in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason poll, fell to 3-1. It was JMU’s first win over a ranked opponent since a extra-inning triumph over #3 Virginia in 2007.

Phelps, the Colonial Athletic Association preseason pitcher of the year according to three different baseball publications, ran his winning streak to nine games in a row. He allowed just two hits through the first five innings and finished with nine strikeouts, one shy of his career high, with six runs, five earned, and five hits allowed in 6 1/3 innings.

Sophomore Kevin Munson (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) worked the final 2 2/3 innings allowing three hits with no runs and two strikeouts for his first save of the season.

Herbek doubled and homered for the Dukes, scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs. He had multiple hits in each of the four games in the tournament and extended his career-best hitting streak to nine games dating back to the 2008 postseason.

Eight of JMU’s nine starters had a hit in the game while the remaining starter, junior center fielder Alex Foltz (Mathias, W.Va./East Hardy) walked twice and scored twice. Redshirt sophomore first baseman Trevor Knight (Charlottesville, Va./St. Anne’s-Belfield) was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs. Junior right fielder Matt Browning (Mystic, Conn./Fitch) drove in two while senior left fielder Matt Townsend (Lorton, Va./Hayfield ) added a solo home run.

Jose Iglesias was 2-for-4 for CCU with three RBIs and his third home run of the tournament. Chance Gilmore was 2-for-4.

Bobby Gagg worked four innings for the Chanticleers, surrendering seven runs on six hits.

 

Sports: VCU drops baseball tilt to UCF, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

During the off season, UCF took time to move the fences at Jay Berman Field in about 10 feet.

The Virginia Commonwealth University baseball team (1-2) learned how much difference 10 feet can make as the Knights (2-1) blasted three home runs en route to a 12-6 defeat of the Rams in the third game of the four-game series between the two schools.

“I thought we battled, but we saw what happened when we make a couple mistakes against a quality opponent,” Head Coach Paul Keyes said. “We’ll regroup for tomorrow and come out looking to pick up a split of the series.”

UCF got the scoring started early once again when Colin Arnold tripled into the right field corner in the bottom half of the first and came around to score on a Shane Brown RBI single. Chadd Hartman delivered a two-out RBI single three batters later and UCF grabbed a 2-0 advantage after one inning.

VCU would respond right back as senior R.J. Schenk (Yorktown, Va.) was hit by a pitch to start the top of the second. Joe Van Meter (Oyster Bay, N.Y.) and Justin Wright (Yorktown, Va.) connected on back-to-back singles to load the bases. Junior Nate Furry (Salem, Va.) smoked a ball in the hole at third that Jake Huxtable bobbled allowing the run to score and make it a 2-1 game.

Junior Matt Leskiw (Plains, Pa.) followed with a sacrifice fly and classmate Richard Gonzalez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) smacked an RBI single through the right side to give the Black & Gold a 3-2 advantage.

Chris Duffy got the long ball parade started with a three-run shot over the centerfield wall and Hartman followed two batters later with his own two-run blast as the Knights quickly reclaimed the lead at 7-3 after three innings.

The Rams would get one back in the top half of the fourth when Leskiw laced a RBI down the left field line to score Wright, who had reached on a single earlier in the inning.

UCF would make it a 9-4 game when Shane Brown got into the home run act with a two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth.

Wright’s outstanding day continued in the sixth when he destroyed a 2-1 delivery from Caleb Graham off the scoreboard for his first home run of the season and brought VCU within 9-5.

Junior right-hander Darryl Stringfield (Wakefield, Va.) came out of the bullpen to give the Black & Gold 5.1 quality innings and kept the Rams within striking distance.

“String did a great job for us today,” Keyes said. “All we ask for is for our bullpen guys to keep us in the game and give our offense a chance to score some runs and that’s exactly what he did for most of the afternoon.”

Schenk did not want to be left out of the fun as he blasted his own solo shot over the right field wall in the top of the eighth to bring the Rams within three at 9-6.

UCF would put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a two-RBI double by Brown and an RBI single from Kiko Vazquez to push the advantage to 12-6.

Junior Andrew Dimino (Greenwood, Ind.) and freshman Josh Alford (Midlothian, Va.) picked up back-to-back one-out singles in the ninth, but Cory Weech was able to strand both runners and preserve the 12-6 UCF win.

Wright was the offensive star for the Rams with a career-high four hits and three runs scored. Van Meter had his second straight multi-hit performance with two hits and the newcomer, Alford, also had two hits.

“Justin had four quality at-bats today,” Keyes said. “We dropped him one spot in the order to where he was last year and he really stepped up and had a good day at the plate.”

Junior Will Hirsch (Suffolk, Va.) (0-1) was saddled with the loss after giving up seven hits and six earned runs in two-plus innings of work. Graham (1-0) picked up the win, allowing four hits and two earned runs in four innings of work.

Brown was the man of the day for the Knights with four hits, four runs scored and five RBI.

 

Sports: EMU splits twin bill, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

An RBI single by freshman catcher Dylan Smith (Sterling, Va./Park View) in the top of the eighth inning gave the Eastern Mennonite University baseball team its second win of 2009 as the Royals split a non-conference double header with Averett University Sunday afternoon.

The second game of the double header was called in the seventh inning due to darkness. The score was tied at 11 all when it concluded.

Following the today’s results EMU now has a 2-3-1 overall record as they head into next week’s opening game. The Royals will host the Hornets of Shenandoah University on Wednesday, February 25, for a 3 p.m., single game.

Averett now stands at 4-8-1 on the year.

The teams entered the bottom of the fourth in the first game in a 1-1 tie. EMU starting pitcher Michael Moles (Waynesboro, Va./Stuarts Draft) was pitching a solid game until it his defense betrayed him with two runs, both unearned, on two hits.

In the top of the fifth the Royals turned the table on Averett as they went up 4-3 as sophomore first baseman Jake Norman (Fredericksburg, Va./Colonial Forge) had the big blow of the inning as he pushed two runners across on an RBI single to right-field. Averett pitcher Chase Hall then got the next two batters to strike out to end the inning.

Heading into the bottom half of the frame the Cougars pounced on another Royal miscue as Averett added another two runs to their score, putting the home team up 5-4.

Moles scattered seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Sophomore outfielder Chris Harpine (Fredericksburg, Va./Colonial Forge) led off the top of the seventh inning with a triple and later came around to score on an RBI single by Daniel Martin (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite), tying the game at five. The Cougars had a pair of hits in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to get a run across the plate.

In the top of the eighth the Royals pushed across the eventual winning run as junior second baseman Cody Davis (Goodview, Va./Staunton River) reached on an error and then moved to second on a single by Ben Wise (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee). Following a strike out, Smith came up to bat and laced a single to left, scoring Davis. Harpine then entered the game in the bottom of the inning and shut the door on the Cougars, recording his first save of 2009.

Smith finished 3-for-4 with two RBI. Norman and Martin each had two RBI while Wise had three hits in five trips to the plate.

In the second game the Royals opened up with a four-run first inning as Davis and Wise reached on base hits with Harpine following with a three-run blast, his first of the year. Junior shortstop Aaron Martin (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) then added an RBI single later in the inning to cap the scoring.

Averett scratched a run across in the bottom half of the frame and then added another run in the bottom of the fourth. With the score at 4-2, EMU opened up another scoring barrage as the Royals pushed a season-high six runs across the board. Davis scored two runners on an RBI double while Harpine added another RBI single to right.

EMU had 11 batters come to the plate in the inning with Averett committing two errors.

The Cougars got a measure of revenge before the game was called off in the seventh as the home team put up a nine spot as RBI singles by Brian Knowles and Carlos Fernandez and several wild pitches contributed to the offensive outburst. Harpine came in and got the last two outs of the inning before further damange was done.

Wise was 4-for-5 in the second game with three runs scored. Harpine finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and five RBI.

AU’s Michael Moore was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

 

Sports: VCU rallies, takes down Hofstra in women’s hoops, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

It’s on. The Virginia Commonwealth University women’s basketball team and the Drexel Dragons will do battle for first place in the Colonial Athletic Association on Thursday in Philadelphia.

Getting to that point with big winning streaks intact proved to be quite an adventure for both teams. Drexel needed double overtime to beat Northeastern on Sunday. The Rams? All VCU did was follow up one of its worst halves of the season with one of its best halves in a 55-43 victory over Hofstra at the Mack Sports Complex.

“That second half,” VCU Coach Beth Cunningham said, “was awesome.”

VCU improved to 13-2 in the CAA and 23-4 overall with its eighth straight victory. Drexel is also 13-2 in the league and has an 18-8 overall mark. The Dragons have won 10 straight.

But before they could think about Drexel, the Rams had to find a way to rally from a 12-point hole against the Pride (7-8, 15-11). VCU shot just 19.4 percent in the first half, missing 25 of its 31 shots and falling behind 25-16 at the break. The deficit became 12 when Natty Fripp hit a 3-pointer for the first bucket of the second half.

The Rams rallied quickly and furiously, using a zone trap to frustrate Hofstra and capitalizing when it did get a turnover. VCU had six field goals – the same number it had in the first half – in the first 4:30 of the second.

Senior Radoslava Bachvarova (Varna, Bulgaria) scored 13 of her game-high 17 points in the second half. She also had seven rebounds. Senior Quanitra Hollingsworth (Chesapeake, Va.) recorded the 50th “double-double” of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Jennifer Lane (Wichita, Kan.) scored 12 points, 10 of them in the second half. Lane was 6-6 from the free-throw line.

“We talked about halftime, we had to forget about whatever happened in the first half and come out a new team in the second,” Cunningham said. “I think that’s exactly what happened. Our intensity, our defensive pressure really got us going. For whatever reason, I feel like we were a little flat in the first half. They did a nice job in their zone.

“We wanted to pick the tempo up in all facets of the game. We needed to get more physical on the boards. This is really a character win. The kids showed a lot of toughness. It’s the second game in a row where we’ve really had to grind it out to give ourselves another opportunity to get a big win.”

Looking ahead to Thursday was a concern. Cunningham has encouraged her team to stay “in the moment,” as she calls it but she also understands human nature doesn’t always make that easy to do.

“We knew with one stop at a time, we could come back,” Bachvarova said. “It’s hard (not to think ahead). We’re at the top and we know every team is trying to beat us, so that’s hard.”

One of the more impressive aspects of the Rams’ second-half rally was they did it without fouling. VCU had no personal fouls for the first 11 minutes of the second half. The Rams had just three personal fouls in the half and only 10 for the game.

VCU held a 42-35 advantage on the boards. Junior Kita Waller (Gainesville, Ga.) had nine boards to go with her seven points.

“We were able to chip away at that lead, We were able to rattle them a little bit while gaining some confidence ourselves. Outstanding second half, maybe as good a 20 minutes as we’ve played,” Cunningham said.

 

Sports: JMU women get late three, knock off Georgia State, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

Redshirt junior guard Sarah Williams’ (Wilmington, Del./Ursuline Academy) long three-pointer with 5.4 seconds remaining lifted James Madison to a 63-62 victory over Georgia State in Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball Sunday afternoon at the Georgia State Sports Arena.

JMU upped its overall record to 18-8 and is now 11-4 in league play. Georgia State dropped to 11-15 overall and 3-11 in the CAA.

The Dukes ended a two-game losing streak, while Georgia State lost its seventh consecutive game.

Williams, who led all scorers with 22 points, was eight-for-11 from the field, including five-for-eight from three-point range. She also tied for game rebounding honors with seven and handed out four assists and made three steals. Freshman guard Brittany Crowell (Brandywine, Md./Gwynn Park) added 10 points six six rebounds in only 14 minutes of play.

The Panthers were led by Danyiell McKeller with 17 points and seven rebounds. Crystal Johnson scored 12 points and had a game-high seven assists.

JMU led by as many as 11 (52-41 at 9:55) in the second half. But then the Panthers outscored the Dukes 17-6 in just under six minutes to tie the game at 58-58 with 3:49 remaining.

The score was tied at 60-60 after GSU’s Brittany Hollins hit two foul shots with 50.1 seconds left. On JMU’s possession, the Dukes lost the ball with 22.9 seconds to go as Crowell drove toward the basket and GSU’s Johnson made a steal. GSU took the lead as Johnson hit a running one-hander in the lane with 14.3 seconds on the clock.

Williams knocked down the game-winning three pointer while being closely defended.

Johnson drove to the basket on the other end but her 12-foot jumper was well defended and missed the mark.

In the opening 16:10 the game had four ties and seven lead changes.

A 9-0 Georgia State run, in which the Panthers hit three consecutive three-pointers, gave GSU its biggest lead of the half, 21-16 at 9:04..

But JMU outscored the Panthers 20-6 over the final 8:47 of the half to take a 36-27 lead into intermission.

 

Calendar: Today’s Events, Monday, 10:50 a.m.

– Introduction to Excel. Instruction on creating and using spreadsheets – for more than just numbers. No previous experience with Excel is needed; familiarity with mouse and Word is expected. Free. No registration required. Staunton Public Library, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Info: 540.332.3902.

– Of Vine and Verse: A Poetry Gathering & Sharing, Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 5:30 p.m. Info: www.stonesoupbooks.net.

– Improv Night at the Hamner Theater, Nellysford, 6 p.m. Info: www.thehamnertheater.com.

– Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors meeting, 6 p.m. Info: www.co.rockbridge.va.us.

– Sign-language class, First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, 6:30-8 p.m. Info: [email protected].

– Waynesboro City Council business meeting, Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, 7 p.m. Info: www.waynesboro.va.us.

– The Stonewall Brigade Band rehearses each Monday from 8-9:30 p.m. in the band building at the main entrance of Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton. Concert programs and schedule may be found at www.stonewallbrigadeband.com.

Contributors

Contributors

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