By Jeff Richards
BOYS BASEBALL
McConnellsburg 11, James Buchanan 0. Senior first baseman Shaffer Earley, went a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBIs (his season high), two runs, and one stolen base to lead the Spartans past host James Buchanan (JB) Rockets 11-0 on April 24 in a non-league game. Earley singled in the fourth scoring two, singled in the third scoring one, and hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth scoring one.
The victory was the fifth in a row for McConnellsburg, bringing their record up to 9-2 (2-1 ICC-S). The Spartans have now won six matchups by nine runs or more this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.2 runs on average over those games.
The Spartans opened the scoring in the first after Reese Alexander drew a walk, scoring one run (Earley). Then the Spartans added scoring in the top of the third inning after Earley singled to center field, Sipes singled, JB committed two errors back-to-back, each scoring one run. In all, Ben Sattazan, Earley, Alexander, and Jett Sipes scored. In the fourth, Jace Fletcher singled on a two-pitch fastball. Hoyt Glenn drew a walk. Sattazahn singled loading the bases. Earley singled scoring Fletcher and Glenn. In the fifth, Sipes reached first on an error. Vinny Badalamenti singled. Sipes scored the eighth run on a wild pitch. Gavin DeShong then reached first on an error. Fletcher drew a walk. Badalamenti scored on a wild pitch. Glenn singled. Sattazahn grounded out and the tenth run scored (DeShong). Earley hit a sacrifice fly, scoring the final run (Fletcher).
Vinny Badalamenti went 1-for-2 with three steals and a run, while Jace Fletcher also finished 1-for-2. Alexander drew two walks; both he and Badalamenti had multiple stolen bases. The Spartans totaled eight steals and played error-free defense.
Kaden Marpoe (2-1) earned the win for the Spartans. The starting pitcher allowed six hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out six and walking none.
Carter Hissong took the loss for the Rockets. The starting pitcher went three innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on four hits, striking out seven and walking four.
Aston Davis and Hissong were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for the Rockets. JB’s defense turned one double play in the game.
…………1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
MCCN 1 0 4 2 4 x x 11 8 0
JMSB 0 0 0 0 0 x x 0 6 7
Next, McConnellsburg will host Forbes Road for a conference game on April 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Other: Girls Varsity softball – McConnellsburg 8, Berkeley Springs 11