The Washington herald., 1915-03-11
Nationals Land
Opening Contest
Grifmen Trim Virginia in
Initial Practice Game of
Season, 7 to 4.
HARPER in LIMELIGHT
Uy WILLIAM PEET.

NIdi o. .hdi'l l'-'riill
Nationals gave tn" Virginia College boys
touch Of high life here this afternoon
in the oncninS practice game on the ,ex-
hibition schedule. The scor" was to (.
The American Loagrcrs showed the
way from the start by grabbing off three
was easy sailing. although the wearcrs
Of the Orange and Rlue put up a gallant
fight during the closing chaptersN
Those same pesky northwest winds
marred what would have been an ideal
day for the national pastime II bothered
the professionals more than the college
boys, who seem to thrive best in cold
weather. judging by the way the youth
full pitchers cut loose with curves and
smoke
Game WINS Close.
Tn" exhibition was much closer than
tn" box scor" Indicates. NirCinia's err
rors proved costly and helped the Grifr-
men pile w runs after tho side should
haN" been retired.
TIL" Nationals presented trio of pitch
crs. each going three innings Hopper.
Harper and tiallia tniling in the order
named. Hopper allowed but on" scratch
blow and = double. IIarncr did the best
work. striking ont si> and holding the
college boys hitI"ss Giallla did not al
tempt to put ANYTHING on the bail ann
consequently was batted freely.
Harry Harper showed "A lot Of stuff
n" was scored uron in tn" fourth inning
\ passed ball. two walks and fore"
play at first did tn" business. tho sid"
eventually being retired on strikes.
Virginia Look. Good.
Gandil and Mcbride led the Nationals
AT bat with two blows each The game
was play cd in remarkably fast time and
was featured Icy tn" really tur showing
Of the coilccians. who this season hav"
ono of III" best teams in the history of
tho institution.
Danny Moclier opened the struggle by
iamminG the first hall pitched TO right
field for a single. Foster grounded T."
raschall who fumbIed. allowing both
runners to b." SAT" When a double PLAY
should have resulted Milan hit To right.
scoring Moelrr. ,:andii doubled one over
smiths head. scoring Foster and puttinas
Milan OF third. Galloway threw out
Morgan and while PasciIalI aud White
were retiring ShankS Milan crossed the
plate.
prummund relieved Galloway when tn"
Nationals cam" to bat in tn" third and
got away with ii Tor just on" inning.
II" was nickcd ter three ITALICS in tho
fourth e trio Of passes. linked with AT.
error and McB.ldc's single. turning the
trick.
smith Makes Error.
Washington WAS held runlcss until the
eighth. when the muff Of Shanks' fly by
smith paved tn" way for the Iinal marker.
Mcbride singled and then the college
boys started to throw the hall around.
Before it could he recovered Shanks WAS
across tn" plate.
Eddie Foster and Ray Morgan were
taken ont after the fourth inning. IN If
Douglass Ncff and Charley
Pick.
Waiter johnson had his first crack at
pitching to tn" battrrS during praCti'o
this afternoon prior to the ball gam.
The hig fellow cut loose lot Of speed
and if his winters lay-off has in any way
Handicapped him 1t is not apparent.
According to Trainer Martin. johnson
this spring in better physical
shape than at any time since Griff has
the hall club. Walter hoped
onto the scales in the gymnasium and
tipped the beam at 49, pounds, which is
his normal pitching weight.
Rocks and Vets to Clash.
Despite the chilly wind Griffith SAYS
that the pratiCe thus far has done the
PLAYERS a world of good. knowing how
tickle the weather Is during the month
Of March the Old Fox is not going to
wait until next week before starting his !
practice games. He announces that the
and plebes would meet both !
morning and afternoon tomorrow. The I,
ann, probably will go but seven innings
Jack Bentley's left knee was so stun
today that he did not don a uniform this (
morning. and although he did a little .
light work this afternoon was not al (,
lowed to pitch against the colleSians. as /
Griff had planned.
Jack Ryan. who coaches the University |
of Virginia. presented quartet of pitch ]
ers this afternoon and the youngsters all |
looked good.
When it is considered that Griff's regu-
lars have only been outside three days. !
the Washington clubs showing was a /
fine one. Another game will be played |
here against the college team next Sat
urday. The schedule also calls for three |
more March IL, % and Il
Howard Shanks has a penchant Tor ,
low bridging the men in front OF him.
This afternoon line drive from Shanks'
bat nearly knocked the props out IRON
underneath Griffith, who was standing