By Jeff Richards

On March 25th, the Spartans visited the North Star Cougars in a cross-conference game and shut out the host 17-0 in a shortened game by mercy rule.   Shafer Earley led the Spartans to victory by driving in four runs with two singles in the sixth inning.

A line out by Reese Alexander put the Spartans on the board in the top of the first, scoring Hoyt Glenn and Ben Sattazahn.

In the fifth inning, the Spartans picked up three runs.  Glenn singled, Alexander walked and Earley walked to load the bases.  Kade Gress singled to drive in two runs (Glenn and Alexander).  Earley scored on a catcher’s passed ball. 

The Spartans exploded with 12 runs in the sixth inning on the way to victory.  Glenn singled.  Sattazahn and Alexander took back-to-back walks to load the bases.  Then Earley singled, scoring two runs.  Gress walked to load the bases again.  Then Kohen Hall drew a walk, scoring one run.  Next, Gavin DeShong drew a walk, scoring one run.  Up next, Tucker Hedge drew a walk, scoring one run.  After, Teddy Group drew a walk, scoring one run.  North Star JC Will induced Glenn to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored.  Sattazahn doubled, scoring two runs.  Alexander doubled, scoring one run, and Earley singled, scoring two runs.  All this action still with only one out.  The Cougars put in their fourth position-player pitcher and finally retired the side with two consecutive strike outs.

Sr righty Kohen Hall (1-0) earned the win for the Spartans.  The hurler gave up five hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out three and walking one and threw a blazing 73.5% strike to pitch ratio.  Finn Kuhn pitched one inning of scoreless ball for the Spartans in relief.  He surrendered one hit, striking out one and walking none.

Bryson Durst took the loss for North Star.  The starting pitcher went four and one-third innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on two hits, striking out two and walking three.  Max Pristas, Luke Barron and JC Will pitched a combined two innings in relief, giving up 13 runs (12 earned) on six hits, striking out three, walking nine.

Earley and Glenn each collected two hits for the Spartans, and the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting 12 walks for the game. Alexander, Hall, and Hedge led the team with two free passes each.  Earley, Glenn, and Sattazahn each stole multiple bases for the Spartans and the team ran wild on the base paths, piling up nine stolen bases for the game. The Spartans turned two double plays in the game.

Cash Hawkins went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead North Star in hits.

Offensively for the Spartans, Glenn was a standout:  he scored four runs, stole four bases, and went two-for-four.  Also, Earley reached base in all four plate appearances, stole bases and recorded those four RBIs and two hits. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Spartans considering the previous contest. 

Next up:  McConnellsburg (1-1 overall (0-1 ICC-South)) travel to Windber March 27^th for a 430 PM cross-conference game.

Girls Varsity softball: MHS 6, NS 10.  Next up McConnellsburg (0-3 overall (0-1 ICC-South)) travel to Windber March 27^th for a 430 PM cross-conference game.

Boys JH baseball: MHS 12, NS 2

Girls JH softball:  MHS 11, NS 1 (5 innings)

McConnellsburg 17 North Star 0

               1    2    3     4     5     6      7     R     H     E

MCCN    2    0    0     0     3     12    –     17     8     0

NRTH     0    0    0     0     0      0     –      0      6     4