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Carvell Copeland, the Championship Series MVP, gets the game-winning hit in Game 2.

Orange High Panthers
2A State Champions

Check out the story in The News of Orange


5/24/08 - PANTHERS ARE IN THE STATE FINALS
Orange Downs Whiteville 15-5 to Win the East Regional Series 2-0

The Orange Panthers used five homeruns from five different players and the relief pitching of Scott Jarvis to take game two of the Eastern Regional Friday Night.

Orange jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning on a single by Carvell Copeland, followed by an RBI double by Marquis Riley.  Tommy Wright reached on an error then Larry McDonald hit a three-run homer.  J. T. Pope followed one batter later with a solo homerun.

Whiteville answered back with five runs in the top of the second.  Chris Harris and Chase Rhodes each hit two-run homeruns.  Sprandon Mahoney would each on an error and later score on an error for the the Wolkpack's final run of the night.

In the bottom of the second Tommy Wright and Bradon Reitano homered to give Orange a 7-5 lead.  In the bottom of the third Carvell Copeland hit a 2-run homer to put the Panthers up 9-5.  Orange would later score 6 runs in the fifth inning on hits by J. T. Pope, Carvell Copeland, Marquis Riley, Larry McDonald, Jake Manzulich and Josh Pettiford.  

Scott Jarvis (7-1) pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief to earn his second win in the Regional Series.  Jarvis picked up the win last night with 2/3 of a inning pitched.

Coach Dease on the game and advancing:
"Wow!  What a great way for our seniors go out on their last game on this field.  I really can not remember many times we hit the ball as well as we did tonight.  This was a very determined group players here tonight.  Whiteville is a very solid baseball team and we knew we would have to have a big effort to defeat them.

I am so happy for all of our players, especially those seniors, the coaches, the school and all of the long time supporters of a baseball program here.  We will have a couple of days off and then back to work for next weekend."

Orange (25-3) advances to the North Carolina 2A State Championship Series to face East Rutherford.

 

5/22/08 - Orange Takes Game One in Whiteville
Panthers Rally Past Wolfpack 3-2

The Orange traveled to Whiteville Thursday night to open up the three game series for the Eastern Regional Championship.  The Panthers came back to Hillsborough with a 1-0 lead in the series after a seventh inning rally gave Orange a 3-2 win.

Whiteville starting pitcher Michael Wright singled in the first and scored on Lloyd Enzor's double for 1-0 lead for the Wolfpack.  Orange would tie the score in the third when Matt McKee singled and moved to second by Robby Dow's sacrifice bunt.  Carvell Copeland would reach on an error moving McKee to third.  McKee would score on Marquis Riley's RBI ground-out to second.

The Wolfpack would regain the lead on a single by Sprandon Mahoney and a RBI single by Lloyd Enzor in the sixth inning.

Down 2-1 in the top of the seventh with one out, Bradon Reitano bunted for a hit and stole second base.  J. T. Pope singled to score Reitano with the tying run.  Jake Manzulich singled to leftfield and Matt McKee was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Scott Jarvis singled into to right field to drive in courtesy runner Ryan Walker with the go ahead run.

Junior Jake Manzulich battled Whiteville senoir and East Carolina recruit Michael Wright for 4-plus innings.  Manzulich allowed 2 runs, 5 hits and struck-out three getting a no-decision.  Scott Jarvis pitched two-thirds of the sixth inning picking up the win in relief.  Tommy Wright came in to pitch the seventh inning stranding the tying run at third base.  Wright struck-out two for his fourth save on the year.  Wolfpack pitcher Michael Wright went the distance allowing the 3 runs on 7 hits, while striking-out 9.

Coach Dease on Game One:  "That was a great high school play-off game.  Great pitching, good defense and timely hitting by both teams.  This game could have gone either way tonight.  Jake Manzulich, Scott Jarvis and Tommy Wright just did an awesome job against a team that can really hit.  Jake kept us in the game and Scott and Tommy saved it for us.  Our seniors have been so instrumental in our success this year, but tonight our juniors and sophomore stepped up on offense, defense and on the mound."

Game Two at Orange Friday, May 23rd.

  

5/21/08- Orange Defeats North Lenoir
Panthers Knockout Defending East Champion  to Advance

It took two days and 8 hours on the bus, but the Orange Panthers baseball team was able to upset the North Lenoir Hawks on Wednesday night.  The Panthers traveled to LaGrange, north of Kinston, on Tuesday only to have a powerful storm cancel the game just before the 7:00 start time.  So the Panthers loaded up the bus again on Wednesday and came away with a hard-fought 4-1 win.

Orange starting pitcher Ryan Walker threw a 4-hit complete game against the Hawks.  Walker recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed only 1 run and 1 walk.  "Ryan had a great outing tonight.  He worked ahead in the counts and really kept their hitters guessing.  He and J. T. Pope, our catcher, did a super job." 

Marquis Riley got the Panthers on the board early with a opposite field homerun in the top of the first inning.  Neither team could manufacture a run for the next three innings as Walker and North Lenoir ace Michael Wetherington controlled the opposition's bats.  North Lenoir tied the game in the fifth on a single by Carter Capps, a sacrifice bunt by Gray Dejuan and a double by Stephen Pridgen.

Orange (23-3) answered right back in the top of the sixth with three runs.  Tommy Wright walked and Larry McDonald launched his sixth homerun on the season.  Sophomore Bradon Reitano followed McDonald with a homerun to put the Panthers up for good 4-1.  Walker set down the Hawks (22-2) in order in the sixth and seventh innings.
 
Orange advances to take on Whiteville in a best of three series for the Eastern Regional championship.
 

5/17/08 - ORANGE WINS IN THIRD ROUND
Panthers Defeat West Stokes 8-4
Jake Manzulich pitched the Orange High Panthers into the Sectional Finals Friday night.  Manzulich threw 5 shutout innings before allowing four runs in the sixth.  The OHS junior struck-out 10 Wildcat batters.  The Panthers made three errors in the sixth inning allowing West Stokes to get within 4 runs of the Panthers, who had built an 8-0 lead.

Orange started their scoring in the first inning.  Carvell Copeland reached on an error, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout by Marquis Riley and scored on a passed ball.  Tommy Wright doubled down the left-field line, moved to third on groundout by Larry McDonald and on a singled by Bradon Reitano.  Reitano fouled-off several pitches before getting the key hit.

The Panthers had a big third Marquis Riley singled, Wright singled and McDonald walked to load the bases.  Reitano hit into a force at home to retire Riley.  With a full count J.T. Pope hit a grand slam over the left-center to put the Panthers up 6-0.  Matt McKee gave Orange two more insurance runs with a 2-run homer after a Manzulich single in the 5th inning.

Coach Dease on the Panthers win:  "I can't say enough about Jake Manzulich tonight.  Jake has always stepped up for us in big games.  Sometimes we haven't given him the offensive support, but tonight our offense came through and Jake was awesome.  The at-bats by Bradon in the first and J. T. in the third were both full-count battles in which they just wouldn't give in.  All of the guys are working hard and their attitudes have been super."

Orange will play at North Lenoir Tuesday at 7:00 pm.




5/13/08 - Orange Panthers Punch-out North Pitt Panthers
The Orange Panthers advanced to the third round of the state playoffs with 6-3 win over North Pitt.  Scott Jarvis came in to relieve injured starter Ryan Walker in the second inning.  Jarvis (5-1) allowed two runs in second inning then settled down to shut-out North Pitt for the next 4 innings.  Jarvis recorded 5 strike-outs while allowing 5 hits and 3 walks.  Tommy Wright pitched the top of the seventh recording 2 strike-outs for his third save on the season.

Orange scored one in the bottom of the second when Marquis Riley singled in Jake Manzulich.  The Orange Panthers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the third when Bradon Reitano doubled and scored on a hit by J. T. Pope.  Jake Manzulich walked, Josh Pettiford was hit by a pitch and Carvell Copeland singled up the middle to score curiosity runner Robbie Dow and Manzulich.  In the fourth inning Orange added two runs, Tommy Wright singled and advanced to second on a infield groundout, J. T. Pope singled in Wright. Jake Manzulich singled and Dow scored on a North Pitt throwing error.

"I thought we showed some heart and character to come back from a 3-run deficit.  Scott Jarvis did an outstanding job in relief tonight.  Carvell Copeland, J. T. Pope and Marquis Riley had key hits for us.  The whole team battled tonight.  North Pitt is a very scrappy and a well-coached team.  It was a good game against a good team." said Coach Dease.

Orange (21-3) will host West Stokes (22-3) at OHS on Friday.

5/9/08 - Orange Surges Past Storm
The Orange Panthers baseball team defeated the Southern Guilford Storm 15-3 in the first round of the state playoffs Friday night.  The Panthers (20-3) used a 10-run first inning, a 10-hit attack and the arms of Ryan Walker, Scott Jarvis and Joe Winecoff to advance to the next round.

Senior Ryan Walker (8-1) started for Orange, pitching 3 innings and striking-out 9 batters while allowing 2 hits and one run.  Scott Jarvis and Joe Winecoff each pitched one inning in relief. 

Josh Pettiford led the Panther offense going 2-2 with a grand slam homerun and a triple and 6 RBI.  Tommy Wright and Jake Manzulich each went 2-2 with a double and 2 RBI apiece.  Junior J. T. Pope was 1-2 with a homerun.  Carvell Copeland went 2-3 with a RBI.  Marquis Riley was 1-3 with a double and a 2 runs.

Orange will host North Pitt on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 pm.


5/5/08 - Orange Clinches Mid-State Title
Panthers Defeat NCSSM 12-2
The Orange Panthers clinched the Mid-State Conference Championship with a victory over Science and Math Monday.  The Panthers finish the regular season 12-2 in conference play and 19-3 overall.  It is the fifth regular season conference championship for the Panthers since the 2000 season.

Scott Jarvis improved to 4-1 pitching 3 innings, allowing 2 runs and striking-out 3 in the 6 inning game.  Joe Winecoff pitched in relief.

Orange jumped out to a 6-run lead in the top of the first inning.  The big blow coming off the bat of sophomore Bradon Reitano's 3-run triple.  Reitano was 3-4 with 4 RBI on the day.  Jake Manzulich was 3-3 with a RBI.  Josh Pettiford was 2-4 wit a double and 2 RBI.  J. T. Pope went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI.  Carvell Copeland went 2-5 and had a RBI.


5/2/08 - Northwood Hands Panthers a Tough Loss
The Northwood Chargers came to the OCAP Friday night a and downed the Panthers 3-2.  With the loss the Panthers fell into a tie with Northwood for first place in the Mid-State.  Orange can clinch at least a tie for first with a win at Science and Math on Monday.

Senior Ryan Walker (7-1) took the mound for Orange and suffered his first loss of the season.  Walker pitched 6 1/3 allowing 3 unearned runs on 7 hits, while striking out 12.  Jake Manzulich pitched 2/3 of the seventh inning with 2 strike outs.

Charger pitcher Clay Martin kept the Panthers off the board for 5 innings.  Orange (18-3, 11-2) scored 2 runs when Tommy Wright walked, Larry McDonald singled, J. T. Pope had an infield single and pinch-hitter Marquis Riley drove in two runs with a sharp single up the middle.  Northwood (15-4, 11-2) scored one in the fifth and two in seventh to retake the lead as Orange committed 3 costly errors in the top of seventh.

"When we played at Northwood everything went our way.  Tonight we made the mistakes and everything went Northwood's way.  That's baseball for you.  There's a reason the Red Sox or Yankees don't go undefeated.  Some days you just play bad." said Coach Dease.


5/1/08- Panthers Blast Bulldogs 12-2
Joe Winecoff improved his record to 4-1 allowing 3 hits in 4 and two-thirds innings of work.  Winecoff struck out 5 Bulldog batters and walked a season-high eight batters.  Scott Jarvis came in to record the last out of the game.

The Panthers' offense was led by Scott Jarvis who hit a grand slam in the first inning and Bradon Reitano who collected 3 hits and drove in two runs.  Rob Schlike doubled and drove in 2 runs.  Jarvis had 5 RBI in the game addin a sacrifice fly in the 4th inning.

Orange improves to 18-2, 11-1.
 

4/24/08 - Orange's Last Inning Rally Leads to Win over South Granville.
Less than one month ago the Orange High varsity baseball team saw a two-run lead disappear in the last inning of the Hilltop Tournament championship game.  South Granville turned an 6-8 deficit into a 9-8 victory in the bottom of the 7th inning.  Thursday evening the Panthers got some revenge on the Vikings.  Down by one run in the bottom of 7th, Marquis Riley hit a ball that bounced over the first baseman's head for a single.  The next batter, Tommy Wright, hit a ball over the center-fielder's head.  As the Viking center-fielder raced back for the ball, the ball hit his glove and bounced over the centerfield fence for a game-winning homerun.  Although there was no trophy for this game, the Panthers left the field with a sense of redemption.

Junior Jake Manzulich got the nod to start for the Panthers.  Manzulich went 4 innings allowing 5 runs on only 3 hits, while striking out 5.  Juniors Joe Winecoff and Scott Jarvis held South Granville scoreless in the 5th and 6th innings.  Tommy Wright earned the win pitching the 7th inning.  The Orange defense played well turning two double plays by Marquis Riley, Bradon Reitano and Larry McDoanld.

South Granville had homeruns by Jeff May and Nash Blackley.  Orange was led by Marquis Riley who was 2-3 with a homerun and 3 runs scored.  Tommy Wright had two hits including a triple to go with his homerun and 2 RBI.  Larry McDonald went 1-2 with a double and a RBI.

Orange is now 17-2.  South Granville falls to 18-5.


4/23/08- Orange Scores Big Win Over Graham
In a Mid-State Conference showdown the Orange baseball team battled and fought a tough Graham Red Devils team for an 8-1 victory.  The Panthers banged out 10 hits and held Graham to the lone run with solid pitching and defense.

Senior Ryan Walker improved his record to 7-0, pitching six innings allowing the one run on seven hits.  Walker recorded six strike-outs and walked four.  Junior Scott Jarvis held the Red Devils in check in the seventh.

On offense the Panthers used homeruns from of Robby Dow, Jake Manzulich and Tommy Wright to help the improve to 16-2 and 10-1 in the Mid-State.  Carvell Copeland, Marquis Riley and J. T. Pope had two hits each.  Riley had a triple and drove in two.

Coach Dease said, "I told the guys after the game, 'I don't know if that was the best game you have played all year, but it was sure close to it.'  Graham has an outstanding team and we played well."

Orange has three Mid-State conference games left in the regular season.
OHS at Science and Math - April 28 - 4:30
OHS at DSA - April 29 - 7:00 @ Southern Durham HS
Northwood at OHS - May 2 - 7:00

 

Panthers Help HYAA on Opening Day
The Varsity and JV Orange High baseball teams participated in the Opening Day festivities for the Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association.  The players served as umpires and instructors for the day on April 12th.  Head Coach Dean Dease was on hand to throw out the first pitch.  Coach Dease said, "We hope to continue this relationship.  Youth baseball is so important in this community.  Most of our players have come through the HYAA program.  It is important that they give back to an organization that helped them."

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4/22/08- Bryan Braxton Named to CVAC All-Conference Team
Senior Bryan Braxton was named to the Conference Carolinas All-Conference baseball second team this season.  Awards were determined by a vote from each Head Coach of participating institutions.  Awards will be presented at the Conference Tournament Championships hosted by Barton College in Wilson, NC at this weekend's conference championship.

Braxton led the Falcons in hitting with a .338 average. Braxton had 7 home runs and 33 RBIs.  He was in the top 3 for the Falcons in nearly every offensive category.

4/22/08- Daniel Hargrave Named CAA Player of the Week
Former Orange High player Daniel Hargrave launched five home runs and hit .545 last week.  He was named Colonial Athletic Association Player-of-the-Week on Monday. 
Hargrave knocked out three doubles, scored 11 runs and drove in 12 as the Seahawks went 3-1 on the week and claimed a series victory at CAA rival Delaware over the weekend.

Against the Blue Hens, the Hurdle Mills, N.C., native slammed four homers and plated nine runs as UNCW outscored UD, 43-27, in the series. 
Hargrave has a career-high and league-leading 14 homers this season and ranks second all-time at UNCW with 35 career home runs.

4/22/08- Panthers Cruise Past Carrboro
Sophomore Bradon Reitano (1-0) pitched three strong innings in his first start of the season, striking out 3 and allowing 1 hit.
Reitano also went 2-2 with 4 RBI.

Orange used a big 8-run third inning, highlighted by Jake Manzulich's 2-run homerun.  Tommy Wright hammered a double in the same inning.  Larry McDonald and Robby Dow had RBi singles in the first and fourth inning respectively.

Orange improves to 15-2 and 9-1 in the Mid-State 2A.

4/18/08- Orange Gets 11-1 Win over Gibbons
Ryan Walker gave up just one run on three hits and struck-out 9 Crusader batters to improve to 6-0 on the season.  Cardinal Gibbons (7-9, 4-5) manufactured a run in the first inning on a double, a sacrifice bunt and a ground-out.  For the next four innings only one runner made it past first base as Walker pitched a 5-inning complete game.

Carvell Copeland led off the bottom of the first inning with a homerun on the first pitch from Gibbons starter Drew Cannon.  The Panthers added three more runs in the first on singles from Marquis Riley and Bradon Reitano and RBI from J. T. Pope and Reitano.

Tommy Wright tripled to score Riley in the second and Larry McDonald followed with a RBI single to score Wright.  Orange added two more in the third on a solo homerun by Matt McKee, a walk and base-hit by Riley.  In the fourth the Panthers scored 3 times with the big blow coming off the bat of Blaise Haubert.  With two strikes Haubert fought off several pitches before stroking a ball down the rightfield line to score two runs.  Jake Manzulich would knock in the final run with a deep sacrifice fly to centerfield.

The Panthers are now 14-2 and 8-1 in the Mid-State 2A.

 

4/16/08- Panthers top Patriots 6-3
The Orange Panthers improved to 13-2 at Southern Alamance Wednesday night.  Tommy Wright (1-0) pitched a 7-inning complete game allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits.  He struck out six and did not allow a free pass.

The Panthers took an early 4-0 lead with two runs in the 2nd and two runs in the 3rd.  The Panthers took advantage of 3 Patriot errors and got timely hits by Matt McKee and Wright.

Southern (12-7) scored one with a run in the 4th on an error and a double.  They 2 runs in 5th on 3 singles.
 
Larry McDonald gave the Panthers 2 insurance runs with a towering homerun in the top of the seventh.

Wright struck-out the last two batters to seal the Panthers victory.



4/14/08 -  Orange Scores Two in the Sixth to Defeat Cedar Ridge
The Orange varsity baseball team had a "dog-fight" Monday night at the "Orange County Athletic Park".  The Panthers clawed to their way to a 5-3 victory over the Red Wolves in a critical Mid-State 2A match-up.  Starting with the second half of the conference schedule, the Panthers were able to maintain their position atop conference standings.  Orange and Cedar Ridge split their regular season games with the Red Wolves winning last week 11-9.

After a scoreless first inning Cedar Ridge jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a homerun off the bat of catcher D. J. Roberts in the top of the second.  Orange cut the lead in half on a solo homerun by catcher J. T. Pope in the bottom half.  In the bottom of the third, Marquis Riley singled and advanced to second when Tommy Wright was hit by the pitch.  Riley stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Bradon Reitano.

Junior pitcher Jake Manzulich kept the Redwloves in check with 4 strike-outs in the 3rd and 4th innings.  In the top of the fifth Roberts reached base on an error and Tyler Chelenza and John Srayhorn had infield singles to load the bases.  Scott Jarvis came in to pitch in relief of Manzulich.  Jarvis walked Chad Burkhart to force in the third run for the Red Wolves.  Jarvis got the next hitter, Wesley Mister, to ground back to the pitcher for a force-out at home.  Randy O'Dell hit groundball to Marquis Riley for an inning-ending double play.  In the bottom of the 5th Tommy Wright walked, Larry McDonald bunted safely and Bradon Reitano singled to score Wright and tie the game.

Jarvis held Cedar Ridge in check in the top of the sixth.  In the bottom of the inning Carvell Copeland singled and scored the eventual winning run on a double by Marquis Riley.  Riley would later score when McDonald reached on an error.

Scott Jarvis (2-1) pitched two innings in relief to earn the win, striking-out two, walking one and allowing one hit.  Tommy Wright pitched the seventh with two strike-outs to earn his second save.

Coach Dease on the game:  "Whew!  What a great game between two good teams and two good programs.  I think it says a lot about the young men on both sides, the coaches, the feeder programs and youth baseball in northern Orange County.  This is high quality high school baseball.  I am so very proud of our guys so far.  We have about 10 regular season games left so we still need work to get better."

Orange improves to 12-2, 7-1 in the Mid-State 2A.
Cedar Ridge stands at 8-6, 4-4.

4/11/08 - Panthers Knock Red Devils 12-3.
The Orange Panthers varsity baseball team stayed atop the tight Mid-State Conference race with a victory at Graham Friday night.  The Panthers banged out 14 hits and Ryan Walker pitched six strong innings in the win.

Tommy Wright drove in a season-high 6 runs with 3 hits including a grand slam in the 6th inning.  Orange took an early 4-0 lead on RBI hit from Wright, Robby Dow and Carvell Copeland, who hit his 3rd triple of the year.  In the 4th inning Robby Dow was hit by a pitch, stole second and came home on a double by Copeland.  The 6th was a big inning as the Panthers scored 5 runs.  The big blow coming off the bat of Wright.  Orange was able to score two more runs in the seventh.

Ryan Walker (5-0) pitched six complete innings, striking-out 7 and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits.  Walker now has 56 strike-outs on the season.  Scott Jarvis came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and struck-out the side.

Orange now stands 6-1 in the Mid-State, 11-2 overall.
Graham is 5-2 and 11-2.

4/10/08-  Panthers Fall to Red Wolves in Cross-town Rivalry
Cedar Ridge capitalized on 7 errors and 9 walks allowed by the Panthers to take a Mid-State Conference showdown Wednesday night at Cedar Ridge.  Orange made costly mistakes after leading early 5-0 in the first inning.  The Panthers allowed 6 runs in the third inning and 5 runs in the fourth.  Orange had 6 errors and allowed 8 walks in those two innings.  "We played as bad as we possibly could play for those 2 innings.  A sound, veteran team like Cedar Ridge will take advantage of that situation." said Coach Dease.

Lefty Jake Manzulich got the start for the Panthers and cruised through the first two innings.  As the Panthers came out swinging, putting 5 runs on the board led by a 3-run homer by Larry McDonald.
  Cedar Ridge went up 6-5 in the third.  Bradon Reitano tied the scored with a solo homerun in the top of the 4th.  With Joe Winecoff (3-1) pitching in relief the Red Wolves scored 5 runs on one hit.  The Panthers' rallied with 3 runs in the 6th inning on hits by Marquis Riley and Tommy Wright.

Orange now stands 5-1 in the Mid-State Conference and 10-2 overall.  Cedar Ridge is 4-3 and 8-5.

Cedar Ridge plays at Orange on Monday, April 14th.

4/2/08- PANTHERS RALLY AND TAKEDOWN THE TIGERS
It took a 7th inning rally, a strong relief performance and clutch hitting for the Panthers to prevail over the Chapel Hill Tigers (6-5) Wednesday night.  Tommy Wright's line drive single to centerfield scored Carvell Copeland with the winning run for a 6 to 5 victory in the Panthers last at bat.

Chapel Hill took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first against starter Joe Winecoff.  Orange answered back with a single run in the bottom of the first. Copeland reached on an error and later scored on a hit by Wright.  The Tigers tacked on two more runs in the third with a homerun by Eric Backus, a walk and two singles.

Scott Jarvis (2-1) came in to pitch in the third and held Chapel Hill scoreless for the remainder of the game and earned his second win.  The Panthers scored two in the fourth on hits by Larry McDonald, Bradon Reitano and Matt McKee.  In the sixth inning Orange tied the game at 5-5 on 2 walks and 2 Chapel Hill errors.

In the bottom of the seventh with one out, Carvell Copeland singled to right,  Marquis Riley followed with a single, putting Copeland at second.  Wright drove the first pitch he saw to centerfield to plate Copeland for the game winning run.

Jarvis struck-out 6, walked 2, and allowed just 2 hits in 5 innings of relief.  "Scott did an outstanding job.  He kept us in the game and gave us time to score some runs.  He is getting better each outing.  Saturday we lost a lead in the last inning of the Hilltop finals.  It feels good to be on the other end tonight.  Chapel Hill is a very good team.  We were very fortunate."  said Coach Dease.

Orange improves to 10-1 and will travel to Cedar Ridge for a Mid-State Conference showdown on Friday.
   


3/30/08-  Panthers Make a Run at Hilltop Championship
     The Orange High varsity baseball team played three straight days of good old-fashioned "hard ball" during the 2008 Hilltop Invitational Tournament.  After advancing with wins over J. F. Webb and Archbishop Curley, the Panthers came within one out of going home with the tournament title.  South Granville (11-4) rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning to hand Orange (9-1) its first loss of the season.

     On Thursday at OHS, the Panthers defeated J. F. Webb (8-4) in 5 innings by a score of 12-2.  Joe Winecoff improved the 3-0 by limiting the Warriors to 2 runs on 3 hits.  Winecoff struck-out six.  Orange had a big day at the plate hitting 4 homeruns.  Marquis Riley hit two of the homers going 3 for 4 with a double and 5 RBI.  Tommy Wright was 3 for 3 with a double and a homerun.  Matt McKee hit the Panthers final homerun on the night going 1 for 2 with 2 RBI.  Bradon Reitano knocked in three runs and Scott Jarvis had two hits and scored three times.

     On Friday Orange faced Archbishop Curley from Baltimore, MD in the winners bracket at Orange HS.  The Panthers used a 4-run fifth inning and a 3-run sixth inning to break open a 2-2 game.  Behind the pitching of senior Ryan Walker (4-0) the Panthers defeated Curley 9-2.  Walker pitched six innings, allowing 2 runs on five hits and striking-out 7.
     Offensively Larry McDonald had a big night going 2 for 3 with a triple and 4 RBI.  The Panthers banged out 12 hits total.  Carvell Copeland was 2 for 2 with 5 steals.  Marquis Riley was 2 for 4 and made a couple of spectacular defensive plays at second base.  Matt McKee was 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI.  Bradon Reitano had 2 hits and 2 steals.  J. T. Pope added a RBI double and Tommy Wright had a RBI single.
     The win over Curley (2-1) put Orange in the championship finals.

     Orange faced South Granville, ranked 10th in Class 3A, Saturday night at Chapel Hill HS for the Hilltop Invitational Championship.  This was a rematch of the 2007 championship game won by the Vikings.
     The Panthers took an early 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning.  South Granville took advantage of two hits, two walks and three mistakes made by the Panther defense to take a 6-2 advantage.  Orange answered with 3 runs in the top of the fifth with J. T. Pope (2-4) knocking in two with a double.  Jake Manzulich, making just his second start of the year, pitched well and kept the Viking hitters off balance for most of his four innings.  He struck-out 4, walked 3 and allowed just two hits.
Scott Jarvis came in to pitch in relief of starter Jake Manzulich.  Jarvis retired the Vikings in order in the 5th and 6th innings.
     The Panthers tacked on three more runs in the top of the sixth with an RBI single from Marquis Riley (2-4, double) and a 2-run double from Larry McDonald who was also 2-4.  Orange led 8-6 going into the bottom of the seventh.
     The Vikings rallied with 3 singles and a hit batter to score three runs in the seventh and take the 2008 Hilltop title.  Jarvis (1-1) takes a tough loss despite pithing well with 4 strike-outs and no walks.

     "We had a very good showing in the Hilltop this year.  The tournament expanded to 12 team this year and to make the finals is an honor.  We lost a heart-breaker to South Granville, but hopefully we'll learn from it.  One of our goals each year is to be a better team after the tournament then we were going into it.  I definitely think we did some things that made us better." - Coach Dease.

2008 Hilltop Invitational All-Tournament Team
Marquis Riley
Tommy Wright
Larry McDonald


3/20/08- ORANGE DEFEATS NORTHWOOD WITH WALKER'S 20 STRIKE-OUTS
Ryan Walker established a new Orange High single-game strike-out record with 20 Ks as the Panthers remained unbeaten at Pittsboro Thursday night.  Walker allowed one hit to Northwood's Dalton Stone with one out in the seventh inning.

"What an unbelievable performance by Ryan.  This is something that just doesn't happen very often.  He's working hard in his bullpen sessions and I think this is a direct result.  Coach Reynolds (Orange Pitching Coach) has really helped Ryan's mechanics.  We are all proud of the effort Ryan has given us this season so far." said Coach Dease.  Walker allowed only 4 base-runners on the night with the one hit, two walks and dropped third strike.  Only one runner advanced past first-base.

Catcher J. T. Pope drove in 3 runs for the Panthers going 2-4 with a homerun.  "I thought J. T. had his best game of the year but not just on offense.  He called a great game behind the plate and controlled the game." said Coach Dease.  Marquis Riley was 2-4 with a RBI.  Carvell Copeland, Jake Manzulich and Larry McDonald all provided key RBI hits.

Orange runs its record to 7-0 and 5-0 in the Mid-State 2A Conference.  Northwood falls to 7-1, 5-1.

Orange plays J. F. Webb Thursday in the opening round of the Hilltop Invitational Tournament.  Orange will host 3 games on Thursday and Friday.



3/18/08- Orange Rolls to 6-0 with Win over Bulldogs
The varsity baseball team used a 7-run 5th inning to defeat the Durham School of the Arts by the mercy rule.  The Panthers improve to 6-0 and 4-0 in the Mid-State 2A Conference.  Orange will face undefeated Northwood on Thursday.

Scott Jarvis (1-0) pitched a 5-inning complete game allowing only 1 hit, striking-out 5 and walking just one.  Jarvis was making his first start of the year.  "Scott did a great job.  He kept the ball down and got us groundballs and the defense made the plays." said Coach Dean Dease

Carvell Copeland led the Panther offense with two hits including a triple and a RBI.  Larry McDonald hit a monstrous 2-run homer in the third inning.  Marquis Riley hit his second inside-the-park homerun of the season adding 2 RBI.  Bradon Reitano (1-3) had a double.  Cory Barringer was 1-1 with a double and 2 RBI.  Jake Manzulich was 1-2.

3/14/08- Panthers Tame Unicorns
Joe Winecoff (2-0) tossed 4 shutout innings allowing only an infield single leading the Panthers to their fifth win of the season.  Winecoff struck-out 4 and didn't allow a free pass.  Scott Jarvis pitched 1-2-3 fifth inning, striking out one.

On offense Orange was led by three homeruns on the day.  Carvell Copeland led off the bottom of the first, lining a 1-0 pitch over the leftfield fence.  After Bradon Reitano hit a sharp single and stole second, Marquis Riley hit an inside-the-park homerun to centerfield.  The Panthers added two more runs in the first when  J. T. Pope singled, Matt McKee was hit by the pitch and an outfield error on a ball hit by Ryan Walker.  Matt McKee added knocked in three runs in the bottom of the 5th with a homerun to deep left.  Cory Barringer ended the game by the 10-run rule with an RBI single.  Reitano, Riley and Pope had two hits each on the day.

Orange's record is 5-0, 3-0 on the young season.  NCSSM falls to 0-3, 0-3.

Orange will host DSA on Tuesday, March 18th at 7:00 pm.

3/11/08- Orange Uses Big Inning in Win over Carrboro
The Panthers erupted for 18 runs in the fourth inning in route to a 24-3 win over the Jaguars.  Larry McDonald put the Panthers ahead with solo homerun in the second inning and added a 3-run homer in the third.  Sophomore Bradon Reitano was 3-4 with a double,a triple and a homerun and 5 RBI.  Reitano's homerun in the 4th was a grand slam and his first varsity career homerun.  McDonald was 2 for 2 on the day with 4 RBI.  Tommy Wright was 2 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI.  Jake Manzulich had two hits and a RBI.  J. T. Pope, Joe Winecoff, Marquis Riley, Scott Jarvis, Blaise Haubert, Josh Pettiford and Rob Schlike all had at least one hit on the day.

Junior Jake Manzulich (1-0) pitched four innings allowing 3 runs on only one hit.  He struck-out 7 and walked two.  It was the first start on the year for Manzulich.  Cory Barringer pitched a scoreless fifth inning.

The Panthers improve to 2-0 in the Mid-State 2A and 4-0 overall.
Carrboro is 0-2, 1-3.

3/10/08-  Orange No-Hits the Crusaders
Ryan Walker took the mound for his second start of the year and pitched 4 innings on no-hit baseball as the Panthers won 9-1.  He struck-out 8 and walked five.  Cardinal Gibbons' lone run came on groundout to third.  Joe Winecoff pitched two scoreless innings in relief.  Tommy Wright struck-out the three batters he faced in the seventh inning.

"I though Ryan did a good job.  He battled through one tough inning.  It is early in the year and we don't want to run pitch counts up too high.  We have a solid pitching staff and we are confident in our bullpen.  Joe and Tommy did their job." said Coach Dease.

Orange jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after 2 innings with Marquis Riley driving in two.  Larry McDonald was 2-4 with a double and a RBI.  Josh Pettiford was 2-3 with a double.  Carvell Copeland was 1-3.  Riley was 1-4. Wright was 1-3 with a double and a RBI.  J. T. Pope was 1-3 with 1 RBI.  Scott Jarvis was 1-3.

Orange improves to 3-0, 1-0 in the Mid-State 2A Conference.
Cardinal Gibbons is 1-3, 1-1.

3/5/08- Orange Wins at Riverside
The Orange High varsity baseball team used a 4-run third inning to defeat the Riverside Pirates on Wednesday.  Tommy Wright drew a bases loaded walk followed by a Larry McDonald double down the right-field line to clear the bases with no outs.  McDonald was 2 for 4 for the game.  Marquis Riley also was 2 for 4 with a double.

Joe Winecoff (1-0) earned the win pitching 4 scoreless allowing 5 hits and striking out 4.  Cory Barringer came in relief to pitch a scoreless 5th inning.  Riverside mounted a rally in the bottom of the sixth with 2 runs on 2 hits, a walk and a hit batter, but Ryan Walker was able to pitch out of situation.  Tommy Wright came on to pitch the seventh to record his first save of the season.

Marquis Riley turned a key double-play for the Panthers in the 7th inning.

Orange improves 2-0.  Riverside falls to 1-1.

2/29/08- Orange Opens Season with a Win
Senior Ryan Walker (1-0) pitched 4 innings alowing only one hit and striking out 9 as the Panthers blanked East Chapel Hill in the first game of the season.  Cory Barringer pitched a scoreless inning in the fifth.

Carvell Copeland led the offense with 3 hits going 3-4 with a triple and 2 RBI.  J. T. Pope was 2-2 with 2 RBI and Tommy Wright was 2-3, 2 RBI.  Marquis Riley had 2 hits and 2 RBI.  Sophomore Bradon Reitano added a hit and 2 RBI also.

OHS plays at Riverside Wednesday, March 5th.


12/14/07- Orange senior outfielder/pitcher Tommy Wright has made a vebal committment to Surry Community College.  Wright committed to Surry CC recruiting coordinator Josh Simmons last week.  Coach Simmons was impressed with Tommy's arm and swing at a recent workout.

Wright led the Panthers in hitting last year with a .377 average.  He had 11 doubles and 1 homerun while driving in 17.  On the mound he was 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA, striking-out 16 in 20.66 innings.

"Tommy is a naturally talented player.  Tommy could be a very good college player one day.  We are grateful he has this opportunity.  If he does the little things it takes to be successful, he will definitely help us this year and Surry next year." said Orange head coach Dean Dease.

Wright is the second Panther to play for the Surry Knights.  Former Panthers catcher Matt Roberts, now at Pembroke State University, played there in 2006 and 2007.
 

12/5/07-  Orange senior pitcher Ryan Walker has verbally committed to The University of North Carolina at Wilmington.  Walker came to Orange as a transfer in June.  He pitched for the Orange High summer team, posting a 4-2 record.  Walker who is a 6'3", 190 pound left-handed pitcher is originally from New Hampshire.
     Walker will be be the fourth Panther to play for UNC-W.  Infielder Daniel Hargave and pitcher Brett Braxton are seniors on the current Seahawk team and former Panther Brian Woods played for UNC-W from 1998-99.
    "Obviously we are very proud of Ryan and this opportunity for him.  With his size and ability he has the potential to become a very good college pitcher.  If he continues to work hard and improve, he should see significant mound time as a freshman next year.  We are looking forward to the upcoming high school season with Ryan in our rotation." said Orange High head coach Dean Dease.

11/18/07-

Copeland and Riley Sign National Letters of Intent with A&T


Orange High baseball players Carvell Copeland and Marquis Riley officially signed their National Letters of Intent with North Carolina A&T University.  The OHS Seniors used the Early Signing Period this week to make their commitment to the Aggies.  North Carolina A&T began recruiting the teammates early in the summer league season.  Orange High head coach Dean Dease said, “Coach (Keith) Shumate (the Aggies head coach) came to see us play in our summer league and was very impressed with Carvell and Marquis, as well as Larry McDonald, Jr.  He began recruiting all three immediately.”


Carvell Copeland, a 5’10”, 160 pound centerfielder, batted .317 last season with 10 steals, 1 homerun, 21 runs and 12 RBI.  Copeland is a switch-hitter with above average speed and arm.  “Carvell is our table setter.  His job is to get on base so our hitters on the middle of the line-up can drive him to the plate.  He has a skill which you can’t coach and that is speed. Carvell is a very special young man.  He came in as a skinny little freshmen and he has worked so hard to make himself a very good athlete and baseball player.  His wonderful attitude is his greatest attribute.” said Coach Dease.


Marquis Riley, a 5’10”, 180 pound middle infielder, is a returning All-Conference player who hit .375 with 7 doubles, one homerun and 25 RBI.  Riley, a left-handed hitter, was an All-State player in 2006 and played in the North Carolina State Games.  Coach Dease on Marquis:  “Marquis has played second base or shortstop for us since his freshman year.  He has great hand-eye coordination.  He only struck out only once all of last season.  He has great hands for an infielder too.  Marquis is a clutch player.  He more often than not gets the big hit against the best pitchers or when the team needs him in a crucial situation.  I have truly enjoyed being able to work with Marquis and watching him progress.”


Carvell Copeland on signing with North Carolina A&T:  “I am real excited about having a chance to play baseball next year on the college level.  My parents and my coaches have been very supportive.  Coach Dease and Coach (Doug) Hargrave have always helped me with everything I needed on or off the field.  Coach (Matt) McCay and Coach (Chuck) Moore pushed me in all of my practices.  I am very thankful.”


Marquis Riley on signing with North Carolina A&T:  “A&T is an up and coming program.  I believe Coach Shumate is building something special.  I have dreamed of playing Division I baseball.  The fact that Carvell is going too makes it even better.  We are going to try to room together.  My Mom and Dad have been to hundreds of games to support me and I appreciate it.  I have had a lot help along the way from all of my coaches too.


North Carolina A&T is a Division I school and member of the Mid-Eastern Athlethic Conference.  In addition to a solid conference schedule that includes Bethune-Cookman, Florida A& M and others, North Carolina A & T plays many of the universities in North Carolina, such as East Carolina, Applalachian State, Elon, Charlotte and UNC-Greensboro in nonleague games.

8/30/07 - Matt McCay Named Assistant Coach at UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Matt McCay, a former University of North Carolina letter-winner and a six-year standout in professional baseball, has been named an assistant coach with the Tar Heels, head coach Mike Foxannounced Wednesday. McCay replaces Jason Howell, who was named the pitching coach at UNC Wilmington last week.

"I am very excited about Matt joining our staff. I have know him for 10 years and have great respect for him," said Fox, who recently completed his ninth season at Carolina. "Matt will assist in all areas of our program but will work specifically with our hitters and catchers."

In addition to his on-field work, McCay will work closely with the Tar Heels' strength and conditioning program and with the team's nutritionist regarding all team meals. He will also assist with on-campus recruiting and other administrative duties.

Prior to joining the UNC staff, McCay worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Hillsborough's Orange High School, for the past seven seasons and spent this summer working as a coach and instructor at the Impact Baseball showcase camps and with Dirtbag Baseball, an elite North Carolina-based travel team.

McCay graduated from Carolina in December 2006 with a degree in exercise and sport science after playing six years of independent league professional baseball.

McCay played the 2000-03 seasons with the Chillicothe (Ohio) Paints of the Frontier League. He was a three-time all-star selection, earned a spot on the organization's all-time team and was named the team's MVP in 2003. He ranks as the Paints' record holder in both career and single-season hits (2002).

Before returning to Chapel Hill to finish his degree, McCay played the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Northern League's Joliet (Illinois) Jackhammers.

McCay played for Fox for two seasons at North Carolina Wesleyan (1997-98) before joining him in Chapel Hill for the 1999 and 2000 seasons.  Article from tarheelblue.com

Coach Dease:  "I am tickled to death for Matt.  As a coach one of the best feelings in the world is to see your former players succeed in anything they choose to do.  Matt will be a great asset to the Carolina Baseball Program just like he has been invaluable here at Orange.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the game.  He is one of my best friends and I wish him great success."

7/27/07 - The Orange Panthers Finish Second in the CCSSL
The Orange High summer baseball team was defeated Friday night by Fuquay-Varina High School 12-5 in the championship game of the Central Carolina Scholastic Summer League Tournament.  Fuquay and Orange both rolled into the the tournament finals undefeated at 18-0 in the CCSSL play.  The championship game at Lee Senior was delayed in the fourth inning for over an hour due to storms in the area.  Fuquay came out after the delay and scored 4 runs to secure the win.

Tommy Wright was 2-4 and Bradon Reitano was 2-3 with a double to led the Panthers who out hit the Bengals 9-8.  Jake Manzulich, Larry McDonald, Marquis Riley, Carvell Copeland and Matt McKee also added hits for Orange.  Fuquay's shortstop Cameron Conner had a big 3-run homer in the second inning.

Ryan Brandt pitched 4 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, to pick up the win for Fuquay.  Ryan Walker (3-2) took the loss for the Panthers pitching 3 innings allowing 4 earned runs on 3 hits and 3 walks, while striking out three.

The Panthers concluded a very successful summer with an 18-1 record in CCSSL and a 19-2 record overall.  The Panthers finish first in the Northwest Division and won the Orange Invitational Wood Bat Tournament.

"It's been a very productive summer.  The players were very dedicated and we had alot of fun too.  We hope this can motivate us during the off-season and next spring.  We saw tremendous strides in player development and we were able to work together as a team." said Coach Dease

Orange vs. Fuquay - Chapel Hill News

The Panthers get together after winning in the semi-finals at Lee Senior.

summerballsanderson2.jpg

6/7/07- Josh Horton was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the Major League Draft on Thursday.  Horton was the 90th pick overall.  He was the second college shortstop taken in the draft.  Horton was recently named All-ACC, MVP of the ACC Tournament and Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional.  Horton played three years at shortstop for the Panthers earning All-State honors twice and All-American status his senior year.

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