Brocke, Devlin, Help Spartans Down Park View
STERLING, VA - The Park View Patriots and the visiting Broad Run Spartans faced off Tuesday night in a game between 2 of the top 4 teams in the Dulles District. Entering the game, the Spartans were trying to keep pace with the Potomac Falls Panthers while the Patriots were trying to move up into 3rd place, should they win.
The Spartans jumped out early on the Patriots when leadoff batter, Andrew Mann, reached on an error and promptly stole 2nd base. Next up was the Spartan SS Chris Jessop who laced a single to center field moving Mann to 3rd. Ryan Diviney then scored Mann on a deep sacrifice fly putting the Spartans up 1-0. Patriot hurler Jimmy Kerby was able to limit the early damage by getting the next two Spartans to ground out. Kerby's adversary on the mound was Spartan Senior JP Devlin. Devlin retired the first three Patriots in order with good support from his defense.
In the top of the 2nd inning the Spartans were able to push across another score as Trey Brocke singled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI single from Devlin. The Patriots responded by getting two base runners on board in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to score on a key snag by 3rd baseman Kurt Reitzel. Reitzel would record 6 put-outs in the first four innings.
Both Kerby and Devlin kept the opposing offenses scoreless until the bottom of the 5th inning. In the 5th, the Patriots' Zack Anderegg had a 1 out single. Drew Mason then followed with double putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. On an ensuing wild pitch, Anderegg would be tagged out at the plate as catcher Tommy Meier made a quick throw to a covering Devlin for the 2nd out of the inning. Adam Flees would then single, scoring Mason, to bring the Patriots within 1 run. Devlin was able to get the final Patriot out of the inning leaving the score at the end of 5 innings at 2-1 Broad Run.
In the bottom half of the 6th inning Devlin was able to get the first two Patriot batters out. Patriot catcher Dylan Smith then hit a double and scored when Adam Foltz followed with another double. The score was now knotted at 2 with Foltz in scoring position. Coach Pat Cassidy then went to the bull pen, sending Chris Jessop to the mound, however the next two Patriot batters would reach on a walk and a hit by pitch to load the bases. Cassidy once again went to the bull pen, putting Senior Cole Shain on the mound against Mason. Shain was able to strike out Mason holding the game at a tie, 2-2.
In the top of the 7th, JP Devlin doubled to the fence with one out to put a Spartan in scoring position. Sophomore Johnny Meier then reached on an error and Mann reached on balls leaving the bases loaded with one out. Jessop then drove in Devlin on a deep 2-strike sacrifice fly to put the Spartans up 3-2. Kerby was able to strike out the final Spartan hitter to keep the Patriots in striking distance. In the bottom of the 7th, Shain put the Patriots down in order to secure the win for the Spartans and a share of 1st place in the Dulles District.
Kerby would end up with the loss but pitched a strong 7 innings, allowing only 2 earned runs, scattering 5 hits and striking out 5. Devlin went 5 2/3 innings, allowing only 2 runs on 5 hits but had no decision. Shain picked up the win for his 1 1/3 innings of work for his 6th win of the season.
At the plate the Spartans were led by Trey Brocke 2-3. The Patriots were led by Dylan Smith and Drew Mason.
The Spartans (15-3) next host the Potomac Falls Panthers for the claim on the district lead. The Patriots (10-8) travel to Briar Woods High School to take on the Falcons.
