Piccirilli, Topper to be honored by P-Nats

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- The Potomac Nationals announced today that George Piccirilli of Osbourn Park High School and Lauren Topper of Forest Park High School were named the 2007 Prince William County High School Baseball and Softball Players of the Year respectively. The two will be honored at the P-Nats' 13th Annual Hot Stove Banquet and Silent Auction this Sunday, Jan. 13th, in Fairfax, Va. George Piccirilli enters his senior season at Osbourn Park ranked 18th in the state of Virginia by Impact Baseball following a junior campaign that saw him hit .517 with five home runs and 24 RBIs. In addition to excelling at the plate, the 17-year-old also dominated on the mound going 6-1 for the Yellow Jackets while striking out 51 batters in 38 innings. Overall in two varsity seasons, Piccirilli has a combined 10-2 record with 88 strikeouts in 69-plus innings on the mound. Commited to Virginia Military Institute, the Manassas, Va., native is versatile, excelling behind the plate as a catcher as well as playing all four infield positions.

Lauren Topper begins her senior season at Forest Park as team co-captain for the Bruins after hitting .471 with 24 RBIs and 17 stolen bases as a junior. A three-year varsity starter, Topper earned first-team All-Extra, All-Area, All-Region and All-District honors in 2007. In addition to playing with the Bruins, the catcher/third baseman also played club softball with the Ashburn Shooting Stars Gold who own an all-time record of 432-137. Topper is also a midfielder on the three-time reigning Cardinal District Champion Forest Park Field Hockey team. The Woodbridge, Va., native is committed to play with the reigning JUCO National Champions at Chipola College in Marianna, Fla.

Piccirilli and Topper were among a list of nominees presented to the Potomac Nationals by the Potomac News, which annually covers all major high school athletics in Prince William County. Members of the P-Nats' front office then reviewed each of the players' stats and highlights from the 2007 season and selected the winners based on all-around performance.

The Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet will be held at the Hyatt Fair Lakes in Fairfax, Va. from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The silent auction and cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a seated dinner and program featuring keynote speaker Stan Kasten, President of the Washington Nationals.

The Potomac Nationals will also welcome Washington Nationals Director of Player Development Bobby Williams, as well as Potomac's 2007 manager, Randy Knorr, pitching coach, Randy Tomlin, and Player of the Year Matt Rogelstad all as special guests. Additionally, the club will be presenting the annual Fan and Employee of the Year awards.

Every year, the Potomac Nationals receive donations for the silent auction from minor league and major league baseball teams, NFL, NBA and MLS organizations and various Potomac Nationals sponsors. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Season tickets and ticket packages for the upcoming 2008 season are on sale now! For more information, call the Nationals ticket office at (703) 590-2311 ext. 215. The P-Nats kick off the 2008 season on the road against the Salem Avalanche on April 4 and celebrate Opening Day at Pfitzner Stadium on April 8 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.