By Jeff Richards 

BOYS BASEBALL

McConnellsburg 3 Hancock 1.  The Spartans hosted the Hancock Panthers for a non-conference game on March 31^st.  Both teams were strong on the mound on Monday, but the Spartans prevailed and won the game on the mound from starting pitcher Kade Gress who recorded a complete game with 21 outs.

Gress spent all seven innings on the mound, and it’s clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on three hits and racked up nine strikeouts, which gave him a new career-high.

The Spartans got on the scoreboard in the first inning after Shafer Earley grounded out, scoring Hoyt Glenn, and Reese Alexander hit a double to deep right, scoring Ben Sattazahn. 

The Spartans added one run in the third after Earley, on a 1-0 count, doubled down the right field line to bring home Glenn.

The Panthers added their lone run in the fourth inning when E. Hill doubled, scoring B. Ray.

Kade Gress earned the win for the Spartans. The junior south paw starter threw a complete game. He surrendered just three hits and one run (zero earned) over seven innings, striking out nine and walking none and threw a 77% strike rate. 

Kade Gress – Batters Struck Out (Career)

03/31/25 vs Hancock            9

04/30/24 @ Forbes Road      8

03/27/25 @ Windber             6

05/09/24 vs Fannett Metal    4

03/19/25 vs Fannett Metal    3

Thomas took the loss for Hancock. The hurler went six innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out one and walking two.

Earley made a significant contribution by going 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a double.  Gress, Earley, Glenn, Gavin DeShong, and Tucker Hedge each collected one hit for the Spartans.  The Spartans stole five bases in the game. Additionally, Glenn delivered an outstanding performance, scoring two runs and successfully stealing three bases, while achieving a 1-for-2 at bat. His streak in stolen bases continues impressively, having secured at least one stolen base in each of the last four games.

Blaire Ray, Hayden McCarty, and Ethan Hill each collected one hit for Hancock.  Hill led Hancock with one RBI and went 1-for-3 on the day. 

                1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E

HANK      0    0    0    1    0    0    0    1    3    2

MCCN     2    0    1    0    0    0    X    3    6    0

Next up: McConnellsburg improves to 3-2 and hosts a rain postponed game with Mount Union at 4:30 p.m.