BOYS BASEBALL

By Jeff Richards

McConnellsburg 17 Hancock 1:    McConnellsburg had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which likely inspired the 16-run drubbing they dealt Hancock (MD) on Saturday, March 21.  Kaden Marpoe drove in four runs on two hits to lead the Spartans past host Hancock.  Marpoe hit a home run to left field in the third scoring two, hit a sacrifice fly in the second scoring one, and doubled in the fifth scoring one.

The Spartans won thanks in part to 10 runs in the third inning.  Ben Sattazahn singled, scoring two runs, Shaffer Earley singled, scoring one run, Reese Alexander doubled, scoring one run, Vinny Badalamenti singled, scoring one run, Marpoe homered to left field, scoring two runs, Hoyt Glenn singled, scoring one run, and an error scored two runs.

An error put Hancock on the board in the bottom of the first.  Then Marpoe hit a sacrifice fly to help the Spartans tie the game at one in the top of the second.  The Spartans scored five runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning.  Marpoe doubled, scoring one run, Tucker Hedge singled, scoring one run, Earley drew a walk, scoring one run, and Alexander doubled, scoring two runs.

Jett Sipes opened on the mound for the Spartans and tossed two innings with no earned runs, one hit, striking out one and walking one.  Kason Harrell, who earned the win, then tossed two innings with no runs off three hits, striking out two and walking none.  Finally, senior right-hander Sattazahn threw a perfect relief inning with two strikeouts. 

The Spartans recorded 13 hits, with Alexander, Marpoe, Glenn, and Sattazahn each notching two.  Marpoe went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI.  Earley also contributed big as he got on base in four of his five plate appearances with two RBIs, one run, and one double.  Sattazahn excelled both in relief pitching and at bat, reaching base five times with three runs, two hits, and a stolen base.  Sattazahn also drew three of the team’s nine walks, demonstrating their patience at the plate. McConnellsburg always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .537. They easily outclassed their opponents as Hancock only posted an OBP of .318.

Braxtyn Hohn started for Hancock, and took the loss, being he allowed four hits and six runs (five earned) over 2.1 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. Chandler Burskirk pitched 0.2 innings in relief, giving up five runs on three hits and two walks. Colton Welch threw 1.1 relief innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits, striking out one and walking three. Wyatt Burkett finished with 0.2 innings, yielding one run on one hit and two walks.

Buskirk, Aden Clingerman, Welch, and Tyler Clingerman each collected one hit for Hancock (0-2).

Next up, the Spartans (2-0, 0-0 ICC-S) host Grace Academy for a non-conference game on March 23 at 4:30 p.m.

               1    2    3    4    5     6    7    R     H    E

HANK      1    0    0    0    0    X    X    1     4    7

MCCN     0    1   10   1    5    X    X    17   13   2

SOFTBALL

McConnellsburg defeated Hancock 2-1 in a competitive non-conference matchup. The Lady Panthers maintained a single run lead from the second inning until the Lady Spartans evened the score in the sixth.  In the seventh, Taelyn Souders doubled, scoring the decisive run by Genesis Clevenger, and the Spartans secured victory after retiring three batters in the final frame.

Next up, the Lady Spartans (2-0, 0-0 ICC-S) host Shade for a non-conference game on March 23 at 4:30 p.m. 

1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E

MCCN    0    0    0    0    0    1    1    2    5     1

HANK      0    1    0    0    0    0    0    1    2     1