By Jeff Richards

BOYS BASEBALL

McConnellsburg 14, Forbes Road 1.  Senior catcher Reese Alexander collected three hits in three at bats, as the McConnellsburg Spartans defeated host Forbes Road Cardinals 14-1 in a conference game March 26^th.  Alexander singled in the first, second and fifth innings.

The Spartans got four runs in the top of the first inning after Ben Sattazahn singled to the right side of the infield to bring in Hoyt Glenn who got on first on an error and stole second.  Shaffer Earley hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Sattazahn. Then Reese Alexander singled, Kaden Marpoe drew a walk. Tucker Hedge grounded out, scoring Alexander and Marpoe.

In the second inning the Spartans added three runs after Forbes Road committed an error, Glenn scored having singled earlier.  Reese Alexander singled to the right side of the infield, scoring Sattazahn who earlier drew a walk.  With bases loaded, Vinny Badalamenti walked and scored Earley who had earlier reached first on an error.

In the third inning the Spartans added another three runs after Glenn doubled down the right field line scoring Gavin DeShong who singled prior.  Then Sattazahn and Earley walked.  With bases loaded Reese Alexander walked, scoring Glenn.  Hedge grounded out, scoring Sattazahn.

In the bottom of the third the Cardinals scored one run when Michael Strait scored when Luke McDonald singled on a line drive to right field to Esty Alexander.

In the fifth and final inning, the Spartans scored four runs.  First when, in a bases loaded situation, Sattazahn scored when Hedge grounded out to first.  Then Badalamenti tripled on a line drive to center field scoring two runs, Earley who walked prior and Alexander who singled prior.  In the failed attempted throw out to third from center fielder Michael Strait, Badalamenti scored on the throwing error.

Starting pitcher Finn Kuhn got the win for the Spartans, giving up just two hits and one run over three innings, striking out three and walking six. Kason Harrell pitched two innings of zero-run ball in relief, allowing two hits and striking out two without a walk.

Reese Alexander was standout: he went a perfect 3-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.  Sattazahn was another key player, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with four runs and two stolen bases.  Hedge and Badalamenti each drove in three runs for the team. Glenn collected two hits in four at bats. Sattazahn drew three walks. Overall, the team collected 10 walks. Reese Alexander, Glenn, and Sattazahn each stole multiple bases. resulting in nine stolen bases for the team. The Spartans executed one double play and played without errors. Earley led the fielders with six put-out opportunities.

L McDonald, the first baseman, led the Cardinals with one RBI and went 1-for-2. B Burton, McDonald, Silas Hollibaugh, and Sawyer Hollibaugh each collected one hit for Forbes Road. Michael Strait paced the Cardinals with two walks.  Also, the team tallied six walks

Michael Strait took the loss for Forbes Road. The starting pitcher went two innings, surrendering 10 runs (six earned) on six hits, striking out one and walking eight.  Jacoby Knepper pitched three innings in relief and yielded four runs (three earned) on four hits, striking out five and walking two.

Next up, the Spartans (4-1, 1-0 ICC-S) travel to Everett for a conference game on April 7 at 4:30 p.m.

               1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E

MCCN    4    3    3    0    4    X    X   14   8    0

FRBS     0    0    1    0    0    X    X    1    4    6

SOFTBALL

McConnellsburg 17, Forbes Road 3.  The Lady Spartans visited the Forbes Road Lady Cardinals for a conference game on February 26 scoring every inning and ending the match early due to the ten-run rule. The Spartans scored in the first inning and added a romp of six in the second inning.  The Cardinals added their first run in the bottom of the second.  The Spartans continued to add runs; two in the third, and another large sum of seven in the fourth.  They collected twelve hits, while the Cardinals had eight hits.  

Next up, the Lady Spartans (3-1, 1-0 ICC-S) travel to Everett for a conference game on April 7 at 4:30 p.m. 

               1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R      H    E

MCCN    1    6    2    7    1    X    X    17   12   1

FRBS     0    1    1    0    1    X    X    3      8     4