Ashworth, Inghram, and Ferris Return to Hill for Mainers

The Sanford Mainers didn't end last season the way they would have liked to, but this season a few players will return to write a new script for the green and yellow.

Among the returners are pitchers EJ Ashworth, Jason Inghram, and Jerry Ferris. The three claimed the top of the Mainers pitching staff last year with stellar numbers.

Ashworth hails from Fairfield University where he is completing his second year with the Stags. Last year, he completed the Mainers season with a 2-1 record and a 2.93 earned run average in 30.2 innings of work. Ashworth's two best performances came against the New Bedford Bay Sox, pitching 7 innings each and allowing only 2 runs.

This year for the Stags he tops their pitching staff, leading them with a 3.11 ERA in 63.1 innings of work. He is also second in strikeouts, fanning 28 batters in 10 games.

Mainers coach, Aaron Izaryk says Ashworth is the type of pitcher the squad needs for the upcoming season. "[He's] a fiery competitor who is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.  EJ was one of our first commitments back in Sanford. He stands for everything we want in a Sanford Mainers player," he said.

Joining Ashworth is right hander, Jason Inghram out of the College of William and Mary. Inghram left the Mainers last year with an injury, but in his time with the Moose, he went 1-1 with a 3.11 ERA in 26 innings.

Since his injury, he recovered and has become one of the best pitchers the Tribe has to offer. In 11 games for William and Mary, Ingrham has posted a 6-4 record with a third best 2.70 ERA in 73.1 innings of work. In that time he has retired 76 hitters by way of the K.

These numbers led to Inghram receiving Louisville Slugger's National Player of the Week for the week of April 22.

Izaryk says Ingrham's attitude on the mound will serve well for the Mainers this season. "Jason understands the rigors and demands of summer baseball, and we're happy to have him back," he said.

Rounding out the returners on the hill is Jerry Ferris from Spring Arbor University. Ferris became the number one starter after joining the Mainers late last season. In 20 innings of work Ferris put up a 2-1 record and a 2.70 ERA. He struck out 15 batters while only walking 3.

For the Cougars, Ferris leads the pitching staff with an 8-2 record in 76.1 innings, posting a 4.36 ERA. In 11 games started, Ferris has completed 7 of them.

Since Ferris joined the Mainers last last summer, Izaryk says he can't wait to see what an entire season can do. "Jerry joined us mid-season in 2012 and certainly showed the he belonged," he said. "We're excited to see what Jerry can do over the course of an entire summer."

For more information on the 2013 Sanford Mainers roster please visit www.sanfordmainers.com.

Second Half Surge Powers Friars Onto NIT Elite Eight

PROVIDENCE R.I. -- The Providence College Friars walked into the Dunkin Donuts Center on Monday with one win already under their belt. After beating Charlotte back on Wednesday, the Friars had home court advantage as they took on the Robert Morris University Colonials.

Though Providence was the favorite, the Colonials were coming off a big win of its own against top-seeded Kentucky. However, the Friars held on to the favoritism to defeat Robert Morris 77-68.

Courtesy rmucolonials.com

The nine point difference did not paint the picture of the performance between these two teams. If it wasn't for strong defense, key offensive plays, and determination by the home town heroes in the last four minutes of the game, the Colonials might have walked off the court with a victory.

Robert Morris quickly made their mark by jumping out to an early lead that would hold until the Friars went on a 6-0 tear to bring themselves within two. LaDontae Henton was crucial in the first half, slamming down a couple of buckets when the opportunity presented itself.

From that point forward the score remained tight. It looked as if the Colonials would head to the locker room at the half with the lead, but not until Friars' senior Vincent Council drained a three from downtown to beat the buzzer tying the game at 34.

That three-point shot proved to be the momentum changer going into the second half. Although, defense on both sides kept the second half score at 2-2 for the first three minutes.

With just about four minutes into the half, the Friars picked up their largest lead of the game. After a three point shot by Bryce Cotton, Providence led by four. Cotton would extend the lead even more with another three-point basket immediately after a time out.

It seemed as if Providence was running away with the game until Robert Morris fought back. Colonials' Karvel Anderson brought his point total to ten when he drained a shot from outside the arc bringing his team within three.

Providence extended their lead again, this time by seven points, but that didn't discourage the Colonials' play on the court. After Robert Morris inched their way back, Russell Johnson hit his third three of the game to put the Colonials back up by one.

Robert Morris held that narrow lead for the next minute and a half, but Providence regained the lead even after starting forward, Kadeem Batts, fouled out of the game.

Courtesy AP Photo via Yahoo! Sports

The lead remained in the Friars' hands for the rest of the game. Dramatic shots by Lee Goldsbrough and Cotton fueled the already motivated fan base in the arena even more. Immediately after the game Friars' head coach, Ed Cooley addressed the fans saying, "We are one of the toughest teams in America to play and it's because of you."

After the game Robert Morris's head coach, Andrew Toole, said that Providence had more precision in the game of basketball than his team. "I don't think we were detailed enough to come into this building and beat a Big East team," he said.

After being asked if his team had any fear in playing a team like the Friars, Toole said, "If you're going to step on the floor with fear, you can't play."

Cooley stated that Council was the reason for the dramatic finish, crediting his leadership and senior mentality as reasons that pushed his team through the final minutes of the game.

Cooley is proud of where his team has gotten and says, "These guys have come a long way, a long way."

The Friars will now head to Waco, Texas to face second-seeded Baylor in the NIT Elite Eight. The game is set for 9 p.m. eastern time on Thursday and can be watched on ESPN2.

A Week in Review: Baltimore Orioles (3/10-3/16)

A look back at the previous week in Spring Training for the Baltimore Orioles.

Courtesy Greg Flume/Getty Images

• Left-handed pitcher Brian Matusz is continuing to show his ability as a top starter for the O's for the upcoming season. As the 2013 regular season is rapidly approaching, Baltimore's manager, Buck Showalter is still looking for his fifth starter. After striking out seven and not allowing a run in Wednesday's outing against the Minnesota Twins, Matusz is looking to continue to improve upon his pitches and his approach to the strike zone. "It was great results," Matusz said. "I kept the ball down today, attacked the zone and worked really well with [catcher Taylor Teagarden.]" Showalter still has a lot to consider, including the possible placement of Matusz in the bullpen (a role he thrived in at the end of last season). "You never know what a stint in the bullpen might do for him. We'll do what's best for the club. We still got a long time to make that decision. I'm not going to make it here tonight," said Showalter. Matusz will continue to make scheduled starts throughout the remainder of spring training. A decision on his placement will be made in the next two weeks.

• Baltimore's top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy was optioned to Double-A Bowie prior to Saturday's game. Bundy appeared in four games for the Orioles this spring, starting only one of them. In eight innings the right-hander accumulated a 1.13 earned run average, going 1-1 while striking out five and walking six. Showalter says time with the Double-A affiliate will be the perfect set-up for Bundy to improve. "It's time for him to get stretched out a little bit more, and [innings] aren't here for him," Showalter said. "He's going to start the year in Bowie and go ahead and get that mentality, mindset, adjustment made as soon as possible." Bundy was the fourth pick overall in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Showalter has confidence that Bundy will reach the level to compete in the bigs saying, "He's going to be a good one."

Courtesy Getty Images

• Adam Jones rejoined his teammates in Sarasota, Florida on Sunday after Team USA was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic on Friday night. Jones reenters camp with more plate appearances than any other Oriole. Showalter said he isn't rushing to put Jones back in the line-up because of this aspect; however, he is expected to be back in the line-up on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The center fielder played in six games for Team USA, hitting only .182 (4-for-22). Showalter spoke to Jones saying, "He was up early, boy. He is looking forward to getting back to Sarasota, let's put it that way." With Jones returning, only two players remain away from camp. Reliever Pedro Strop of the Dominican Republic and infield prospect Jonathan Schoop of the Netherlands are still with their respective teams in the WBC.

• On the injury front, Nick Markakis has been out of the Orioles line-up since March 3rd after being diagnosed with a small herniated disk in his neck. On Tuesday there was speculations that Markakis might miss the Orioles' home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, but as of right now he is expected to be out at least another week. In a more positive injury development, veteran second baseman Brian Roberts is expected to be healthy for the start of the regular season.  So far at camp, Roberts has appeared in ten games hitting .333 in 30 at bats. In recent years, he has battled concussions that have kept him out of the line-up for a major part of the season.

• Boston fans will be getting another taste of Flacco. The New England Patriots were defeated by Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship back in January. However, New Englanders won't be seeing "Joe Cool" from the Ravens, but rather his brother Michael. On Friday the Red Sox traded cash to the Orioles for the young first baseman. Flacco hit .214 in 107 games between High-Class A and Double-A last season.