The Washington herald., 1912-03-28
NATIONALS LAND
OPENING ENCOUNTER
Georgetown No Match for
the Big Leaguers-Score
Is 6 to l.
JOE ENGEL is in FORM
Local Boys Pitch Good Ball, Becker
Going to the Box in the
Sixth Inning.
JOE ENGEL is in FORM
By c. w. SWAN.

BY C. w. SWAN.
Sixteen of Clark. Grfath's Nationals
had little trouble defeating the George
town Collegians yesterday in the OPEN
ing game of the exhibition season in the
Concrete Coliseum, TO /, with two local
boys, Joe EngeI and Buck Becker,
serving them over.
big crowd braved the threatening
weather to get their first glimpse Of the
new Nationals. and they were rewarded
in full. as Manager Grifith trotted most
of his Yannigans on the field before the
nine innings had been played
Dan Moeller. the Rochester recruit.
proved the sensation as the speedy
Eastern Lacquer delighted the fans sew
eral times with daring base running and
contributed a clean single in the NTH
p stanza. Moeller won the hearts of the
fans with his fast work on the paths, and
many complimentary remarks were heard
after the game regarding this youngster.
As Manager Griffith had announced, Joe
Engel, the local youngster, started in the
box for the eINationals. Joe was in the
best form he has displayed so far, allow
ing the Hilltoppers but three scattered
bingles. tanning FIVE. and passing two.
The former sand-Iotter showed fine speed,
and his curve ball broke nicely.
White to the Mound.
Jim Sprigman. communicative chief
of the Georgetown forces, figured that
big Dave White, hurler of the deadly
bean ball, was due to arrive with
crash, and. on the strength of that be-
lief sent the dashing full back to the
hin. but to no avail, as the mighty
wielders of the wagon tongue under
salary to Manager Griffith found him
for trio of bingles during the four
rounds he worked, which, together
with a pair of passes and a couple of
errors, was enough to send three big
white tallies over the counting station.
The husky Blue and Gray twirler de-
serves a good bit of credit for holding
the big leaguers to three hits. and
while the professionals have not had
any real batting practice against curve
pitching still the Georgetown slabman
was facing several 800 clouters in Ban
Johnson's circuit, and that he held
them down to trio of safeties speaks
well for his prowess on the mound.
Chris Feinle, who replaced White in
the fifth was warmly greeted by the
regulars. three singles, coupled with
an error and a bad throw, netting
Griff's athletes another pair of com
ters. The star hurler of the Bankers.
although getting of to a bad start.
came back strong in the final innings,
and shut the Yannisans out, after the
regulars had scored another run in
the seventh.
Buck Becker, the pride of the
navy yard" was sent in to do the hon
Ors by Boss Griff in the sixth. and had
the coIlegians eating out Of his hand,
the lads from the West End Institution
being completely bRfied by the twist
ers cut loose by the port-sider. Becker
showed curve ball that was utterly
lacking from his repertoire last sum-
mer. The tall southpaw had the Blue
and Gray ball tosser up tree from
the start. Becker showed Manager
Griffith that he is still in the ring, and
the old Fox" will look him over sew
eral times before sending him to Roch-
ester or any other minor league club.
Flynn Gets Two Hits.
Jack Flynn, first sacker extraordinary,
was the only National TO crack out a
pair of .bingIes, one to left and the other
to right field. Flynn dug up the dirt
around the initial station in great shape,
handling six hard chances a la Hal
Chase, and in every way conducting him
self as a real big league first sacker.
Germany Schaefer, the ever smiling
one, was out in right field, close to his
worshipers. and he had them going from
the start. Germany managed to snap
several pictures OF the payilionites, and
also introduced Buck Becker to the
throng.
The most pleasant surprise to the
faithful was Mild Bill Cunningham.
''Cunny'' is in great shape, down to play
ing weight and having lost his old fatal
swing at the plate. Bin greeted the first
ball pitched with a neat swipe, the pill
landing out in center field for a single.
Neither Mullaney nor Lynch. who did
Tha for 49,
able to hold the ball, and two of the
Nationals runs can be attributed to this.
The former Mount St Joseph backstop al
lowed Henry to count in the second round,
while Spike" had several passed balls
at the wrong time.
Hollender and Cogan put up neat games
in the field, the former making a dandy !
stop and throw of McBride's hard smash
in the eighth. while Capt. Billy snagged
Schaefer's long fly in the first round in
the most approved fashion.
Fans First Man.
When Umpire Eddie Handiboe called
play Joe Engel Of Congressional
fame. wound up, and the ball went past
Hollender like shot, Jumps" Handiboe
promptly calling IL a strike and two
more OF the same variety quickly went
over the pan, and the first man was out
via the fan route. Capt. Cogsn, how
ever, picneo lhe PHI, ana brought up
with rush at the initial station. getting
the FIRST hit Of the game and incidentally
the first safe swat in National Park for
the 1872 season. Sitterding and Fury
were easy for the big leaEuers.
The Nationals came back strong. Mi
Ian out White to O'Connor. and Dugan
making great catch Of Schaefer's fly |
Dan Moeller. the speedy lad from Roches-
ter. walked. and when Jack Flynn sin !
gied 10 right, brought UP at third Bill
Cunningham then sent the first ball |
pitched TO left fielc for a single, count |
ing Moeller. and was thrown out him
self when Mcbride hit TO Hollender.
Two more taIlies were registered by |
the Nationals in the second. when kid" |
Foster was safe on Davis high peg to |
o'connor, stole second, and scored on
Henry's clout to center field. Engel sac
rifced Collegtan John to second, and |
John went to third while White was |
throwing out Milan. MulIaney then let |
a speedy one go through him, and Henry |
counted. Schaefer ended the inning by /
popping to Davis.
Georgetown's lone mark came in the |
third. After Dave White had been /
thrown ont hy FnRel Hollender uraIked \