McDonogh and Severn open MIAA B Baseball Playoffs with victories

Both games in the first round of the MIAA B Conference double-elimination baseball playoffs were postponed on Friday, but were able to be played on Saturday morning, as McDonogh, the second seed from the  Red Division, blanked Annapolis Area Christian, the Black Division’s third seed, 5-0, and the Red Division’s third-seed Severn knocked off the Black Division’s second-seed Gerstell Academy, 6-3.

McDonogh’s victory was made easy by a one-hit, complete game, shutout by Anderson Lambert, who struck out five and walked three. Lambert is also the Eagles’ leadoff hitter and he sparked the offense with two hits, including a solo home run. James Pitts and Joey Horitz each had two hits for the Eagles. Pitts had a triple, scored two runs and drove in one, while Horitz had a double, a run scored and two RBI.

Severn scored three runs in the top of the second and built a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. Gerstell, which outhit Severn 9-6 in the contest, scored its only three runs of the game in the fifth, but could get no closer.

Fletcher Warner had two hits for Severn, including a double, and three RBI, while Sean Ward had two triples, scored two runs and drove in one. On the mound, Matt Fisher tossed four innings of shutout ball to earn the win. After Gerstell’s fifth inning rally, Ben Campion and Caden Blanck each came on to pitched a scoreless inning of relief to close out the victory.

The tournament continues on Monday as McDonogh visits Boys' Latin (Black No. 1 seed) and Severn travels to St. Mary's (Red No. 1 seed). Also on Monday, Gerstell will host AACS in the tournament's first elimination game.