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Expert advice Goaltender continues to play well for Blades Continued from page 30 31 · Friday, March 16, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HAWK TALK: Jessica Markew (right) gives Lexi Doherty some pointers recently at Burloak Sports Centre. The Oakville Lady Hawks girls' lacrosse program hosted an indoor clinic featuring instruction from members of the Canadian women's national team. "I don't mind, I like to fly under the radar," Karius said. "It doesn't matter to me as long as we win." His cover may be blown. With eight goals and 18 points in 10 playoff games, he's tied with teammate Kyle Blaney for fourth in the league's post-season scoring. He's also scored the game winner in three of the Blades' six playoff victories. The Blades are hoping for more of that leadership from Karius and Blaney, two of four Blades who were part of the team's last trip to the Royal Bank Cup. They'll need to win again tonight (Friday) at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex (a 7:30 start) to force a Game 7 Saturday in Georgetown. "That big game experience is never a bad thing. It's just one more thing to add on to help the team," Karius said. "We have confidence in our building. We've been a pretty good home team." Also giving the Blades confidence is the play of goalie James Prigione. He stopped 36 shots Wednesday, including a breakaway by Georgetown's Caleb Apperson just before Karius scored Oakville's third goal. Prigione saw just 20 minutes of f playoff action last year while backing up Daniel Savelli but said it was still a valuable experience. "Just seeing Savelli last year and how he prepared -- being focused all the time and in warmup, getting into that zone," Prigione said. And Prigione has been in that zone with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage in the playoffs. The netminder, who was acquired mid-season from Aurora last year, says the credit needs to be shared with the Blades' defence. "Carlo (Coccimiglio, Blades GM) has put together such a good defensive team. I make the first save and (the defence) are getting rebounds," the 20-year-old Guelph native said. "That helps me out." Prigione has kept the Blades in every game, never allowing more than three goals since the playoffs began. "We split (the goaltending with Michael Stiliadis) all year, but I tell you, he's taken the bull by the horns in the playoffs," Laise said. "He's been our backbone." Pitcher hoping to follow similar path as Babe Ruth Infielder "It was kind of like, `Wow something's going on here.' After he finished that outing, I had scouts, managers and everybody coming up," ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Blake Weston's Belluomini said at a recent practice in Oakville. smile was easy to find last week at Al Lang "It was kind of surreal. We got out of there and I said `What just happened?' " Field. Weston hadn't pitched unless it was being The Oakville ballplayer found himself pitching at the same park where Babe Ruth, the most called in for his rookie teams when they needed an extra hurler. However, the speed prolific player to ever switch posioff his fastball -- which was clocked tions, once played. in the mid-80s that day when he Weston himself was once a centre casually volunteered to throw a few fielder. Now he finds himself hurling -- was what made coaches' heads 89 mile-per-hour fastballs, hoping to turn. crack the Canadian National Junior The right-handed pitcher's idol is team squad that will compete in the the Yankees' Derek Jeter. Though World Junior Baseball Classic in Weston may not notice the similariSeoul, South Korea this year. ties between himself and the superRuth did it the other way, going star shortstop right now, some from being one of the outstanding observers say they exist. pitchers of his major league generaBlake Weston Tyler Moe, one of Weston's prevition to a legendary outfielder. "Even watching the games is just so excit- ous coaches and now a scout for the Baltimore ing," a beaming Weston said. "Even during the Orioles, believes Blake has the right components games I'm not playing, I'm still just having a to succeed. "He's a projectable body, that's the big thing. blast running back and forth from the bullpen. He's young and he's going to grow a little bit It's great." Ron Belluomini, Weston's step-father and more," said Moe. "His mechanics are sound, the coach since rookie ball, gave some insight on ceiling on him right now is unlimited. He is one how unique the 17-year-old's rise to the mound of the best prospects around." Weston's easy-going demeanor might be the for the Canadian Junior National team really was during his original try-out as a centre fielder X factor that will allow him to crack the junior roster for Seoul as his go-to fastball seems to be for the U-17 Ontario baseball team. By Morgan Bell SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER working under the pressure of the quick transformation. "The nerves go away once I'm out there," said Weston. "Once the first pitch goes where I want it, I'm like okay, it's the same as pitching against the Detroit Tigers, its just different people." It takes guts to stand up on the mound against major league and minor league batters, but that's exactly what the 6-3 teenager did last week in Florida. Asked who he'd love to face if he makes it to the majors someday, Weston was quick to say young stars like Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder. "Any of the power hitters. I just want to be able to make them take their big hacks and whiff f on something," said Weston. It may sound crazy to think of Fielder whiffing on the teenager, but it's all about being carefree for Weston. The process for him and his coaches is simple and effective. "Just go out there and chuck the ball," said Bellumoni. "So far it's been working for us." Last week, Weston didn't have the luxury of f having his best friend with him to practice. But he wasn't too worried about pairing up with somebody new as he was having the time of his life. "The whole experience, we get treated so good," Weston said, "I feel like a professional already." Some day, he hopes he will be. credits gymnastics for abilities on diamond By Mike Haimovitz SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Not many people get the opportunity to represent Canada on the national stage, especially in more than one sport. At a young age, Kyle Hann was honing his skills in the gymnasium as part of the national gymnastics program. Now, the 17-year-old Oakville native is displaying his athleticism on the baseball diamond as a middle infielder. "Gymnastics was a big part of f my life. Training 24 hours a week, it was a very strict program," Hann said after a recent workout with the national junior baseball team in Florida. "I went See Hann, page 32