By Jeff Richards

BOYS BASEBALL

McConnellsburg – On March 20, the Spartans opened their 2026 boys varsity baseball season hosting the Mount Union Trojans in a non-conference game.  It came down to the wire as McConnellsburg grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 5-4, over Mount Union. The game was tied at four in the bottom of the seventh when an error scored the winning walk-off run.

The Spartans opened the scoring in the first after Trojans’ Jamon Ranck induced Reese Alexander to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run (Hoyt Glenn) scored.

Mount Union captured the lead, 4-1, in the top of the third when an error scored one run, and Maddox Hobbs homered to left field, scoring three runs.

The Spartans jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning after Tucker Hedge singled to the left side of the infield, and the Trojans committed an error, each scoring one run (by Shaffer Earley and Reese Alexander).

Finn Kuhn earned the win for the Spartans. The sophomore righty surrendered zero hits and zero runs over the last three innings, striking out one and walking four. Kaden Marpoe started on the hill first for the Spartans. The junior righty allowed four hits and four runs (one earned) over four innings, striking out one and walking one.

Abe Weirich took the loss for Mount Union. The final reliever pitched one inning, surrendering two runs on three hits, striking out one and walking one. Ranck began the game for the Trojans. He surrendered one hit and one run (none earned) over five innings, striking out seven and walking two.  Hobbs, the initial reliever, pitched two-thirds of an inning, surrendering two runs on one hit, striking out none and walking three.

Hedge, Reese Alexander, Jett Sipes, Gavin DeShong, and Esty Alexander each collected one hit for the Spartans. Hedge, Reese Alexander, Kuhn, and Esty Alexander each drove in one run for the Spartans, who also had a strong eye at the plate, tallying six walks for the game.

Hobbs drove the middle of the lineup, leading Mount Union with three runs batted in. The infielder went 1-for-3 on the day. Ranck, Hobbs, Weirich, and Levi Hunsinger each collected one hit for Mount Union.

Next up, the Spartans (1-0, 0-0 ICC-S) visit the Hancock Panthers on March 21^st for non-conference game with at 1 pm.

Notes: Girls Var. Softball: MC 11. MU 1 (5 inn.).  Girls JV SB: MC 0. MU 15 (4 inn.).

…………..1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E

MTUN… .0    0    0    4    0    0    0    4    4     1

MCCN…. 1    0    0    0    0    2    2    5    5     1