**** AAABA National Champions 1947, 1956, 1960, 1962, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 ****
NABF National Champions 1986, 1995 ****
National Baseball Congress World Series 2004, 2006

Senators Ranked 2nd Team in Nation by PG Crosschecker
June17, 2008 -- With a 14 game winning streak to start the season, and a steady demolition of Clark-Griffith League opponents, it was only a matter of time before the Vienna Senators rolled in the accolades. PG Crosschecker, one of the leading publications on summer collegiate bat leagues, released its initial rankings for summer baseball teams Friday. The Senators not only returned to the rankings that they frequented last year, but they beat last year's high of #6 by weighing in at #2 in the nation.

The rankings, which are released weekly throughout the summer season, take into account all collegiate wood bat leagues. Twelve different leagues were represented in the initial rankings. The Senators were only bested by the Cotuit Kettleers, from the Cape Cod League.

The Senators, who were 13-0 at the time of the rankings, are currently 15-1. Their record is the franchise's fastest start ever, which puts them in first place with a five and a half game lead. Before the team's loss Thursday night, the team hadn't given up more than four runs in a game. They have seven batters currently hitting above .300, led by third baseman Martin Parra at .439. Only one pitcher on the staff has an earned run average above 3.

The Senators have won a record nine CGL championships. The team made it to the National Baseball Congress World Series last year, and recorded a 3-2 mark in the tournament. The NBC World Series, played in Wichita, Kansas, is recognized as the premier summer amateur baseball tournament in the nation. It features teams from all across the country, including the Alaska league, the Jayhawk league, and the California League.

“We appreciate the rankings as notable acknowledgement of performance by the Vienna Senators in the Clark Griffith League,” said Manager Chris Burr. “We strive every year to put a team that gains national recognition from scouts, coaches and writers.  We have helped develop many fine ballplayers and our main goal remains to win the NBC World Series. “

The rankings cited the Senators recent success in the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft in their rankings. The Senators had six current and former players drafted, including projected staff ace Ryan Doolittle. The rankings also pointed out the success of pitcher Eric Cantrell, who last week earned the pitcher of the week award in the CGL. He is 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA for the season.

The Senators feature a number of players from the local Vienna area. Cantrell attended nearby Oakton High School, and now is a freshman at George Washington University. In addition to Cantrell, both shortstop Alfred Rodriguez and outfielder Brandon Padula went to Oakton. Pitchers Kyle Hald and Michael Graham attended South County Secondary School. Pitcher Will Krasne attended the St. Albans School in Washington, D.C.

“We're trying to go to Wichita and win the whole thing. Rankings are rankings; we're just trying to play one game at a time and go from there,” said infielder Blake Tagmyer.

PG Crosschecker's initial ranking of the top 16 summer league teams in 2008 (records through June 17): The full article can be found at: http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/summer/2008/summer16/s16_61908.aspx

Rank Team League Record
1. Cotuit Kettleers Cape Cod 3-0
Tennessee soph LHP Nick Hernandez (1-0, 1.29), Auburn freshman 1B Kevin Patterson (.500-0-4) instrumental in fast start.
2. Vienna (Va.) Senators Clark Griffith 13-0
Unbeaten Senators produced six '08 drafts, rolling again behind George Washington freshman RHP Eric Cantrell (2-0, 0.82).
3. Wisconsin Woodchucks Northwoods 15-3
Ten-game winning streak, bat of Kentucky sophomore OF Troy Frazier (.333-3-13) propels Woodchucks to top of NWL.
4. Keene (N.H.) Swamp Bats New England 7-0
St. Petersburg CC soph RHP Tommy Meagher (1-0, 0.75), Clemson soph OF Alex Lee (.375-2-9) keys to unbeaten start.
5. Florence (S.C.) Redwolves Coastal Plain 13-3
Mercyhurst (Pa.) soph RHP Steve Grife (3-0, 0.43) is big arm on staff with 2.11 ERA-0.95 better than next-best club.
6. Peninsula Oilers Alaska 8-0
Orange Coast (Calif.) College LHP Brandon Dixon started joint no-hitter as Oilers won eight straight vs. California competition.
7. Harwich (Mass.) Mariners Cape Cod 3-0
Northeastern soph LHP Ryan Quigley (1-0, 0.00) gave Mariners reason for hope with six scoreless innings, 11 SO in debut.
8. Newport (R.I.) Gulls New England 7-2
Elon soph C Mike Melillo (.545-1-10), UConn freshman RHP Dan Mahoney (1-0, 0.00, 8 IP/14 SO) keys to fast start.
9. Mankato (Minn.) Moondogs Northwoods 14-4
Concordia (Minn.) soph RHP Blake DeVries (2-0, 0.92, 20 IP/28 SO), Arizona State-bound C Carlos Ramirez (.422-2-17) on fire.
10. Edenton (N.C.) Steamers Coastal Plain 14-4
Junior RHPs Joe Key (3-0, 0.37, 24 IP/20 SO) of Angelo State, Luke Demko (2-0, 0.00, 7 SV) of Rhode Island kings of hill.
11. Youse's Maryland Orioles Cal Ripken Sr. 7-1
Defending AAABA champions off to fast start behind Navy junior RHP Oliver Drake (2-0, 0.00, 12 IP/2 BB, 6 SO).
12. Corvallis (Ore.) Knights West Coast Collegiate 4-0
Oklahoma State freshman 1B Dean Green (.444-0-5), Sierra (Calif.) JC soph OF Logan Lotti (.412-0-3) big bats in lineup.
13. Winchester (Va.) Royals Valley 9-4
Florida International soph 1B Tyler Townsend (.390-4-12), Charleston Southern junior LHP Andrew White (2-1, 2.41) lead Royals.
14. McKinney Marshals Texas Collegiate 5-2
Alabama duo of freshman RHP Jimmy Nelson (2-0, 0.90), soph LHP/1B Del Howell (0-0, 3.18; .273-1-4) should be key pair.
15. Derby (Kan.) Twins Jayhawk 6-1
Jacksonville 1B Alex Martinez (.409-3-4), Yavapai (Ariz.) JC SS Louie Templeton (.444-2-5) lift '07 Jayhawk champs to fast start.
16. Delaware (Ohio) Cows Great Lakes 4-1
Freshman IF Logan Williams (.471-1-2), one of four Mississippi players on roster, keys Cows to promising start.