Calvert Hall baseball claims resilient win over Curley
Calvert Hall baseball might have gotten deflated when the seventh inning came Wednesday at Archbishop Curley.
The No. 3 Cardinals rallied from a six-run deficit to tie the game in the sixth, only to see the No. 5 Friars answer with two runs to retake the lead.
What followed was a memorable seventh inning.
The Cardinals scored six runs, with a basesloaded walk by Conner Keys tying the game and then a two-run single from CJ Garrick — the most clutch hit in a game filled with them — breaking the tie. The big top of the seventh was followed by a poised performance from sophomore reliever Nathan Rodriguez, who got the final three outs to close out a 15-11 win for the Cardinals in Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference play.
Calvert Hall (9-6) improved to 2-3 in league play, while Curley (11-6) fell to 2-3.
“We knew we had it in us and they just wouldn’t give up,” Calvert Hall coach Brooks Kern said. “That’s a credit to them, they’re playing hard, and that’s a big win for us.”
The game featured 28 hits — including a home run from Curley catcher Derek Poole and eight doubles — nine walks and three hit batters. The Friars enjoyed a seven-run third inning and the Cardinals had the final say with six in the seventh.
After a three-run sixth from the Cardinals — including a two-run double by Key — tied the game at 9, the Friars came back with a sacrifice fly from Kevin Goedke and run-scoring single from Jake Pruitt to seemingly restore order with an 11-9 lead. Curley only needed three more outs.
The Cardinals had another plan. After Quinn Gillis and Travis Peitz opened the inning with singles, Tyler Gibbons beat out a sacrifice bunt to load the bases against reliever Hunter Layhew. Kaden Barner’s single up the middle plated one run to cut the lead to 11-10. One out later, Keys took a 3-2 pitch high to force in the tying run before Garrick chopped a sharp single on the right side to give the Cardinals a 13-11 lead.
“I knew I had to put the ball in play, get us some runs and I was glad to accomplish that and help us get a win,” said Garrick, who went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, three RBIs and four runs. “I knew as a team we could get it done. I believed the whole way. And I knew that Nate [Rodriguez] was going to finish it off for us. As long as we stick together, we’re going to get it done.”
After the Cardinals pushed the lead to 15-11 going into the bottom of the seventh, Rodriguez allowed a lead-off double to Elijah Ritter before hitting Austin Sealing with a pitch to put runners on first and second.
Rodriguez buckled down, striking out Anthony Cerone and John Petryszak before
Friars clean-up batter Harry Middlebrooks grounded out to second to end the game.
“It was an awesome top of the seventh — we put up some runs with a couple of great hits. And then I went in there and was able to shut them down,” said Rodriguez, who entered the game in the sixth to get the final out. “It was a great experience and a team win.”
In the Friars’ seven-run third, which built an 8-3 lead, Sealey opened the frame with a double, scored and then added another two-run double with the home team turning over the order.
“Tough one,” Curley coach Joe Gaeta said. “We just made mistakes at the wrong time. There’s not much to say about it. It’s a long season — we’re not even through the first half yet. Everybody is kind of grouped up together, so anybody can beat anybody in the conference and we just got to come back strong on Friday.”
Both teams return to league play Friday with Curley traveling to St. Mary’s at 4 p.m. and Calvert Hall hosting John Carroll at 6:30.
Softball
Catonsville 6, Century 3: Catonsville softball senior Abby Mitchell hit two doubles and was the winning pitcher as the Comets broke open a tie game with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of a 6-3 victory over visiting Century on Wednesday.
Her second double down the left-field line led off the bottom of the sixth inning with the score tied at 1. She came home on a pair of wild pitches to give the Comets a lead they would not relinquish.
With two outs, Amy Montgomery-Smith, Eliza Krug and Lilly Ureno walked, setting the stage for sophomore Kylie Tran, who tripled to right-center on an 0-2 pitch to clear the bases.
Century starting pitcher Jordan Currie finished with 11 strikeouts and allowed only six hits, but got little offensive support.
— Craig Clary
Francis Scott Key 25, Winters Mill 1 South Carroll 8, Westminster 4 Patterson Mill 11, North East 4
Bel Air 6, North Harford 5
C. Milton Wright 9, Edgewood 0 Bohemia Manor 9, Havre de Grace 7 Chesapeake-AA 13, Broadneck 3
Boys lacrosse
Mt. Hebron 13, Century 4: Mt. Hebron graduated 13 seniors from last year’s Class 3A state finalist. That roster turnover has led to some slowstarts,andwithitsyouth,battlingbackhas beenchallenging.Withthatinmind,theVikings have emphasized the importance of starting fast.OnWednesdaynightagainstCentury,they scored four goals in the opening five minutes and built a five-goal lead after the first quarter en route to a 13-4 victory over the Knights.
Mt. Hebron turned to its most experienced player to set the tone early. Senior attackman Rich Tangires scored the game’s first goal, his first of three on the evening, on a give-and-go with fellow attackman Cooper Stockenberg. Keegan Ryan followed with two straight goals, the first on a dodge through several defenders and the second on a feed from Tangires on the doorstep. Stockenberg scored his first of the game shortly after with a low shot, continuing the momentum.
While Mt. Hebron (3-4) dictated much of the early possession, Century created uncontested shot opportunities. However, freshman goalie Logan Dempsey stopped them all in his first career start after splitting time with Myon Davis and Luca LeClaire earlier in the year. The freshman made four of his eight saves during the frame.
Oakland Mills 9, Meade 1
Howard 14, Wilde Lake 5
Southern 15, Chesapeake-AA 0 South River 13, Westminster 6 Broadneck 13, DeMatha 10 Annapolis 9, Northeast 8
Fallston 13, Harford Tech 1 Patterson Mill 11, Bel Air 7
C. Milton Wright 7, Havre de Grace 6
Girls lacrosse
Oakland Mills 18, Meade 2 Howard 17, Wilde Lake 0
Long Reach 13, Glen Burnie 5 Liberty 16, Winters Mill 5 Chesapeake-AA 10, Southern 9 Annapolis 15, Northeast 2
Girls tennis
Liberty 5, Catoctin 0
Manchester Valley 3, North Harford 2 Westminster 3, South Carroll 2 Francis Scott Key 3, Winters Mill 2 Marriotts Ridge 5, Wilde Lake 0
Boys tennis
Liberty 5, Catoctin 0
Manchester Valley 5, North Harford 0 South Carroll 3, Westminster 2 Francis Scott Key 3, Winters Mill 2 Marriotts Ridge 5, Wilde Lake 0
Coed tennis
Crofton 6, South River 3 Broadneck 8, Old Mill 1 Severna Park 8, Arundel 1 Fallston 9, North East 2