Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-27
BY DENMAN THOMPSON,


AUGUSTA. Ga. March 27.-If Bert
Shotton and Johnny Lavan do not
strengthen the Grinmen to a marked
degree this season all indications from
their work here are faulty. Judged
by what they have exhibited in the
practice classes and the game with the
soldiers the former Browns are just
what the doctor ordered in prescribing
for the victory anemia from which
the Nationals have been suffering for
the last two or three years. According
to George Mcbride and Eddie Ainsmith.
two veterans of the club. Shotton never
showed more speed at any time since
he flashed to the fore In the American
League than he has been exhibiting in
training here. On two occasions in
the games yesterday Shotton went
into high after dumping the ball at
the plate and tore down to first base
at terrific gait. He is covering acres
of ground in the garden and shooting
the ball on q line to all points While
at bat he has been hitting solidly TO
right field, line drives near the base
line, which. with his speed, means two
bases where an average player could
take but one. Shotton now appears
to be in better health than he was at
any time last season, and he is NOT AS
good as he will be. as it has been only
operation for the removal of his ton
sils and he has not fully recovered yet
IAvan demonstrated before he caught
the cold which has given him a stim ,
which caused him to be regarded as
one Of the niftiest infielders In the
league, and the way he is whaling the
ball is a source of great satisfaction
to his boss. He has gotten at least
one hit in every one of the games
played, including the six-inning affairs:
Yesterday in the first game he nit
safely on every one OF three occasions
encounter averaged 1888 with one blow
in three attempts In the seventeen
times he has been at bat since contests
were Instituted last week he has mace
more than 500, and four of these wal
Ions have been good for two bases. 1t
would seem that the deal Grin put
through in sending Gailia to st; Louis
and Shortstop Lavan will prove ten
strike for the Nationals.
Grffrs pitchers have developed to such
a degree that hitting them safely is an
accomplishment not to be sneered at,
and especially is this true in regard to
the rockies of the staff-Craft, Lynch
and waldbauer. Pitching for the Reg
Lynch let the Yannigans down with
three hits and no runs in threeArounds.
while in the afternoon setto. IN which
the Regulars scored a to victory,
waldbauer was absolutely unhftable for
the three innings he worked. and but
one drew q pass at his expense. The
Rlchmonder was burning tho BAH over
the plate with his sidearm motion and
three opponents to fan the air in a vain
endeavor to connect Ayers, q Fellow
virgfnian, twirled the other half Of this
contest against the Yannigans. only two
- III
one of them, and when he stole was the
only man to reach second base IN the
six innings.
Rice also are displaying encouraging
form at bat. All Morgan's blows have
been clean cut and Charity has been
driving the ball harder than any play
err in the squad, his double OF Du Mont
in the first game, being the most ter
rifle wallop recorded yet. not excepting
Cass' home run off Johnson Monday.
Rice got three hits in five times up yes
terday. Two of them were doubles,
both made at the expense of Walter
Johnson. the other being a single off
Harper. Sam also is showing great
speed on the paths. The former jack
tar appears to be in for a great year.
The story of the Regulars two vic
tories yesterday was in each instance
one of heavier and better punched
hitting than the Yanigans could mus
ter. and it was not lack of capable
pitching on the part of the youngsters.
either, Harper, Du Mont Johnson and
Craft appearing in the box for them.
Against Hackensack Harry the Regu-
lars opened up in the first inning, sim
giles by Shotton and Foster. together
with boot by Rightielder Ayers and
Milan's sacrifce ny, giving them their
first run, while Morgan's double and
singles by Lavan and Lynch produced
two runs in the second. The Yanigans
got to Yingling for two runs. singles
by Berman and Mcbride and Cass' dou-
BILE turning trick
AS stated before, Ayers and waldbauer
blanked the Yannigans in the second tilt
Of the day. Rice led Off in the second
with double Off johnson. Judge drew
pass and Morgan beat out a hit to
Ripley. filling the bases. On Lavans tap
to Shsnks. Rice was forced at the plate.
Ansmith scored Judge and Morgan with
single to center. Lavan taking third.
The shortstop then scored when he and
Ainsmith successfully engineered a dou-
BILE steal. In the fourth, against Molly
Craft. pass to Judge and singles by
Morgan. Lavan and Waldbauer accounted
for two additional tallies. The latter's
safety prompted Grin to caution Craft
against ever giving a pitcher slow ball
to hit.
uled to play the team representing the
10th Infantry at Camp Hancock. john
son may pitch one inning. Griflth does
not want to give him much work in q
game where anything Is ut stake, as Wal
ter Is about ready now to 60 in and pitch
q regulation championship game, and care
IL to be taken that he does not go stale.
Waldbauer and Lynch viii do most Of
the hurting.
Headed by Mike Martin. a bunch OF the
players Including johnson. Ainsmith,
Shaw and Judge, took advantage Of the
nearly fun moon. and went coon hunting.