Diviney, Shain, Lead Spartans Over Pride 7-0
LEESBURG, VA - At the end of last night's game between the Broad Run Spartans and the Heritage Pride, there was an overwhelming celebration of team spirit for the Spartans, after their 7-0 triumph over their Leesburg counterparts. It was not directed at an outstanding defensive performance by the Spartans. Not for winning pitcher Cole Shain's 4th win, and 3rd shutout, on the season. Nor was it for Ryan Diviney's hot bat at the plate. No...thiswas a celebration of the return of senior Adam Luhmann to the mound. It was Luhmann's first such appearance since a torn rotor cuff injury, suffered at the end of the 2006 football season, ended his junior baseball season before it started. Luhmann came in during the 7th inning to close out the victory over the Heritage Pride, and the senior did his job, much to the jubilation of his Spartan team mates.
Broad Run jumped out early on the Pride, as Andrew Mann was hit by a pitch from John Rogerson, and promptly stole 2nd base. Rogerson was able to get Chris Jessop to pop out to 2nd, but gave up an RBI single to Shain. Pinch runner Billy Rocca then took 2nd, and 3rd, on an errant pickoff attempt, and scored on a fielder's choice from Trey Brocke. Spartan pitcher Shain set the Pride down in order in the 1st, ending the inning with the Spartans ahead 2-0.
In the 2nd inning Luhmann reached on a walk, and then stole 2nd base. A passed ball, and a push bunt RBI, by JP Devlin, plated Luhmann, giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Pride's Gerald Harvey was hit by a pitch and stole 2nd base. Shain then stuck out Trey Reed, then walked Nick Hoffman. On a subsequent double steal attempt, catcher Tommy Meier threw out Harvey at 3rd. Shain then struck out Andrew Zarabila to end the only Pride threat of the night. Shain went on to retire 12 of the next 13 batters he faced including a string of 5 K's in a row.
The Pride's Rogerson settled down in the 3rd and 4th inning holding the Spartans scoreless, but got into trouble in the top of the 5th, as he walked both Mann and Jessop, hit Brocke, and then gave up a 2 RBI single to Diviney. Luhmann then plated two more Spartans with a double to the warning track putting the Spartans up 7-0.
The Prides Tyler Lewkovich came in to relieve Rogerson, and kept the Spartans scoreless in the final two innings, however the Pride were not able to capitalize, and score against a strong Spartan defense.
Cole Shain was the winning pitcher (4-0) as he scattered 4 hits, 7Ks, 1 walk and no runs to earn the victory. Rogerson took the loss. At the plate the Spartans were led by Ryan Diviney (2-3, 2-RBI's). The Pride were led by SS Brenton Peters (2-3).
The Spartans (7-1) next host the Loudoun County Raiders. The Pride travel to Briar Woods High School to take on the Falcons.
