Burying Last Year's Success

Defending District Champ Potomac Falls Eyes Bigger Things

By Matt Brooks (Contact)

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Newspaper clippings about district championships generally end up framed alongside plaques and statues in school trophy cases.

But after winning last season's Virginia AA Dulles District tournament, the Potomac Falls baseball team found a different place for its 2007 memorabilia.

"The other day in practice we had one of the newspaper articles that said 'District Champs' and this and that," Coach Joe Terango said. "We took it to a place where we go meet down in the woods to talk, and we buried it and covered it up. We said, 'That's last year, and this is '08.' "

The Panthers knocked off top-seeded Broad Run to claim the district crown and advanced to the Virginia AA Region II semifinals before falling to Waynesboro, 6-2. But rather than revel in last season's success, Terango has his players focused on a new set of goals.

With 10 starters returning from last year's squad, including district player of the year Aaron Sweger, Potomac Falls has the talent and experience to make another run at the district and regional titles. The task for Terango is to bring additions into the fold.

"We've been there," Terango said. "We do have an experienced squad, but when you plug in three new guys, sometimes it's not like starting over, but the three new guys aren't sure of who they're with, and the seven others aren't sure who they're with. So until the nine come together or the 14 or 15 come together, then it's kind of unproven."

Sweger anchors a lineup that also includes second team All-District third baseman Rob Malan and catcher Michael Spring. All three got off to a good start in a 12-3 win at Manassas Park on Friday. Spring led the way with six RBI, Malan had three hits, and Sweger reached base in each of his five plate appearances. Sweger, a senior first baseman, hit .506 last season and was an honorable mention All-Met.

Last season, the Panthers (1-1) relied heavily on their offense to power them through the district schedule. With a mix of speed and pop, this year's lineup should pick up right where last year's left off. But Terango said his team's success will depend primarily on defense and the consistency of junior pitchers Jake Kline and Michael Detaranto.

Photo: John McDonnell

Potomac Falls left its district rivals in the dust last year, and its regional showing left the team wanting more.

"If Kline stays healthy and Detaranto stays healthy and we can have Brian Griffin come in as our number three, then I think we're going to have opportunities," he said. "Defense is going to win you baseball games, so we try to focus on it and scrape runs here and there."

After earning a Dulles District Tournament Championship with the Panthers basketball team this winter, Sweger, Detaranto and shortstop Greg Woodlief are looking to carry their hardwood success out onto the diamond. And while the two sports are very different, the messages that Terango and basketball coach Jeff Hawes preach are very similar.

"Coach Hawes was a great, great coach, and he really taught us leadership, and Terango thrives on the same thing," Sweger said. "I think for the guys that play both sports, we know how to be leaders and we know that we have to come out every game and play hard. Basketball and baseball, they're obviously different sports, but if we come out with the same mentality — wanting to win — there shouldn't be anything that can stop us."

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks