La Plata baseball run-rules Lackey in section semifinals
La Plata baseball run-rules Lackey in 2A South section semifinals
After capturing last year’s Class 2A South Region championship en route to a state crown, the La Plata baseball team embarked on its journey of the regional playoffs once again on Monday as it hosted fourth-seeded Lackey in the 2A South Section I semifinals.
Behind stellar pitching and timely hitting, the Warriors, the top seed in the section, allowed just one hit for the entire game and scored 11 runs in the first two innings en route to a 14-0, five-inning victory over the Chargers.
With high hopes of repeating with region and state titles to this season, La Plata (13-5 overall) won its 10th straight game and advanced to host Tuesday’s section final against third-seeded Patuxent. The Panthers defeated second-seeded Calvert 4-2 in Monday’s other section semifinal.
The winner of Tuesday’s contest advanced to Friday’s regional championship game to take on the winner of the Section II final.
“Not a lot to complain about. Our pitching and defense was real good. With three potential games this week the guys were focused today,” La Plata head coach John Childers said. “When we hit like we did today we are tough to beat. Hopefully the rest of the week goes well for us.”
The Warriors, who had 11 hits in the game, scored two runs in the first inning on a one-out RBI single by freshman Ryan Calvert and, three batters later with the bases loaded, Calvert scored on a Nick Steury fielder’s choice.
La Plata had its biggest inning in the second as 14 batters come to the plate with nine runs scored on six hits and four walks.
Offensively, Brett Pilkerton had two hits, including an RBI double with a walk. Calvert collected two RBI singles in the game. Jarrod Schmitz finished with two hits, including a two-run single, with two walks. Jake Hanks had a two-run double and am RBI walk, while Matt Schnoor had a RBI single and was hit by a pitch in the game. Peytyn Gray also added an RBI walk and a single in the game.
“There are no off days
now and it is a grind from here on out, no taking it easy,” Hanks said. “This is the playoffs. Win or go home.”
La Plata used three different pitchers as Schmitz, the starter on the day, picked up the win, going two innings with two strikeouts and a walk.
“This is just one more step closer to where we want to be,” said Schmitz, a junior. “We are playing for each other and have been playing well. We have to keep it up.”
Lackey (3-16) got its lone hit of the game in the top of the fourth on a double by Seth Weingarden.
“La Plata is the defending state champions and are always good,” said Lackey head coach Timothy McGlenn, whose team defeated fifth-seed Westlake 9-5 in Friday’s section quarterfinals. “We had some mistakes on the defensive side of the ball and that has been the story of our season. We just haven’t been able to execute.”
La Plata softball beats Stone to advance
Over in softball, top-seeded La Plata defeated fifth-seeded Thomas Stone 8-1 on Monday in the section semifinals and advances to take on second-seed Calvert in the section final scheduled for 4 p.m. today.
La Plata sophomore pitcher Ava Krahling tossed a complete game, striking out six batters, while allowing just one run on three hits with a walk.
Ashley Mitchell led the way for the defending 2A state champion Warriors with three hits in the game, while Jayci Chamberlain finished with two hits. Krahling, Hannah Kraft and Sierra Chamberlain also strung together hits in the win.