The Washington herald., 1912-03-14
NATIONALS LOSE
OPENING BATTLE
Virginia's Ball Team Hands
Professionals 5 to 3
Beating.
GRIFFITH IsTHEUMPIRE
By WILLIAM PEET.

Charlottesville, Va, March 13.-Mana-
ger Clark Griffith's Nationals were hum
bled in the opening practice game Of the
1872 season here this afternoon by Vir-
ginia, TO 3. There are several per-
fectly good excuses TO offer why the
professionals had TO eat crow. but, after
all is said, Virginia managed to pull
down the greatest number of runs. and
in baseball that's all that counts.
How the ball field was able TO dry
out in time for the battle will still re-
main a mystery to the Washington visi-
tors, as two days steady rain had ac-
cumulated, yet when Boss Grin visited
the grounds this noon II was easily seen
that a ball game could be played and
the battle was ordered.
The game itself was a good exhibition
for so early in the season. Griffith work.
cd three twirlers In as many innings,
Cashion. John Allen. and Dixie Walker:
and Virginia's swat total OF this trio
amounted to six. The Nationals touched
up Goodhue and Rixey for seven. but
the latter was mighty effective in the
pinches.
"Cunny" and MoclIer shine.
From a Washington standpoint the
work of Bill Cunningham and Dan Mo-
eIler was gilt edged. "Cunny' wailoped
out two clean drives Jack Flynn also
played fine game on first base.
"Ump" Rigler. the Virginia coach. slip
ped one over on Gritf when he asked
the local boss to hold the Indicator 1t
was expected that the former would be
in charge. GriI gave every close deci-
sion to the college boys, and also IA
vored them on balls and strikes.
In spite Of this, the wearers Of the
Orange and Blue played fine baseball
and deserve all the credit in the world
for trimming the professionals. Rixey
pitched q great game. and his team
mates played fiawless ball behind him,
nothing that smacked Of an error being
chalked up.
Goodhue, the Virginia shortstop. wound
UP the game In the Nationals ninth in
sensational manner. Morgan was on
first, two were down, and Milan raped
a sharp grounder over second base
Goodhue came over like fash. scoOped
up the ball. and threw out Milan at first
Clyde loafed a bit on the play, as he
thought he had sure safe swat, and
was the most surprised man on the field
| when he found the ball had reached first
base ahead of him. This play ended the
strife. Virginia was first to score. the
run coming in the nature OF a gift, as
NtH. NHe HEhl man Up, tanned. Dut the
third strike got away from Henry. and
the former was on the initial bag be-
fore the ball could be recovered. Carter
sacrificed Nen- to. second; lille walked;
Fitchett famed. Then on the hit-and-
run play Morgan was pulled OF third
and McGuires grounder waItzed past
him into left field, Nefr coming home on
the blow.
Virginia added a couple in the third
ttba rF-ffh
and third loaded. Carter smashed one
through Jack Flynn at n mile-a-mlnute
clip. Two collegisns sprinted home on
the hit.
Nationals Tie Score.
The Nationals knotted the count in
their half OF the third, and also drove
Goodhue to the cyclone cellar. Morgan
flied to Fitchett. Henry walked and
Cashion singled. Milan doubled to CEN
ter. scoring Henry and Cashion. and on
Schaefer's long sacrifice fly TO Lille, Milan
breezed home.
John Allen, the Berkeley Springs young
ster. was in the box for Grif's boys
when the fourth opened. and Fitchett
greeted him with open arms, meeting
sqTarely the first ball pitched and send
ing II to deep left for a two Dagger Nc
Guire popped to Henry. Rixey bounded
to Jack Flynn, who fielded the ball clean
ly and made a perfect toss to Pitcher
Allen at first base, but the youngster
dropped the ball and Fitchett scored.
Another Virginia tally was added In the
sixth on a couple of hits and a flelder's
choice. Dixie Walker was on the mound
for the Nationals when the collegtans
came to bat in the seventh. Rixey con-
nected for a tvo-bagger on the first ball
pitched. but during the remainder Of the
game Dixie permitted no more liberties.
The Nationals figured in two pretty
double plays and Virginia one
Tho Scare