Maryland State High School Baseball Championships
Apr 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; General view of baseballs before a game between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
A pair of Anne Arundel County schools brought home Maryland State High School Baseball Championships this weekend with victories by Chesapeake (4A) and Southern (2A). Reservoir of Howard County took the title in 3A, while Smithsburg of Washington County enjoyed the long ride home with the championship award. All games were played at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland.
4A Division – Chesapeake (AA) 2, Sherwood 0
Chesapeake of Anne Arundel finished a great 23-2 season as the top-rated team in Maryland with a 2-0, one-hit shutout victory over Sherwood.
A pair of seniors led the way for the Cougars, as Drew Spinnenweber threw the one-hitter (with 13 strikeouts) and Chris Ruszin singled home the only two runs of the game in the third inning. Spinneweber had doubled, and after a hit-by-pitch and double steal, Ruszin came through with his critical hit. The two hits by the seniors were the only two for Chesapeake against Brady Adam, who entered the state final with an ERA of 0.21.
3A Division – Reservoir 2, North Harford 0
Junior Cody Morris pitched a stellar two-hit shutout to lead Reservoir to the 2A state title game. He also struck out 11 while only walking two.
The winning run was scored in the second inning by Paul Quattrone who led off the inning with a walk and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Another junior – Drew Stone – came through with a two-out single for the critical RBI.
2A Division – Southern (AA) 3, Parkside 2
Southern of Anne Arundel defeated Parkside of Salisbury with a dramatic seventh inning set of events. In the top of the inning with the score tied at two, Parkside vied for the lead with a runner on second base and a single to left field. But the go-ahead run was gunned down at the plate.
In the bottom of the inning, Southern loaded the bases for a game-winning single into center by first baseman Garrett Gibson
1A Division – Smithsburg 9, Sparrows Point 0
The only blowout win in the state finals was by Smithsburg, who won their first state title in school history. Finishing a 14-11 season, as a smaller school, they spend much of the year playing larger schools. They defeated western Maryland power Allegany in the regional final and then beat defending champion Cambridge-South Dorchester 6-5 in the semifinals.
Smithsburg senior Josh Miller threw a three-hit complete game shutout. He completed his season with a 6-1 record and 1.66 ERA.