Shain Returns To Lead Spartans Past Pride 3-2
LEESBURG, VA - Less than 12 days ago Spartan senior Cole Shain lay in agony between 2nd and 3rd base from a severe ankle sprain and a large question mark on when he would return. Last night against the visiting Heritage Pride Shain put any doubts to rest as he allowed only 1 earned run over six innings while registering 7 strikeouts. Fellow Senior Trey Brocke came in to close the game in the 7th setting the Pride down in order to secure the Spartan's 3-2 victory and their 13th win on the season.
The Spartans jumped out early on the Pride as Ryan Diviney reached on an error and went to second as the throw from 3rd sailed over the first baseman. On the next at bat, catcher Tommy Meier laced a shot to the left center gap scoring Diviney. Pride pitcher Andrew Zarabila was able to pick off Spartan pinch runner Billy Rocca to end the Spartan scoring threat.
In the 2nd inning the Prides Gerald Harvey led off with a double to get into scoring position. Shain was able to strike out the next Pride batters but a single from Zarabila scored Harvey and knotted the game at 1-1. In the bottom of the 2nd the Spartans led off with back to back singles from Kurt Rietzel and Trey Brocke. Zarabila was able to get out of a jam as he was able to get a double play ball and then a come backer to the pitcher to end the inning.
In the 4th Harvey again reached safely this time on an error on the Spartan infield. A sacrifice bunt from Nick Clayton moved Harvey to 2nd and Harvey scored on a single by Michael Massey putting the Pride up 2-1. In the bottom of the 4th, Reitzel led off with a single and then Brocke reached on a fielding error by the Pride. JP Devlin's sacrifice bunt but both Reitzel and Brocke in scoring position and a single from senior Adam Luhmann drove in both runners putting the Spartans back in front 3-2.
The Pride were then held hitless for the remainder of the game. Although the Prides Zarbila surrendered 10 hits on the night, Zarabila was able to derail the Spartan scoring machine with timely pickoffs and good defensive support.
Cole Shain picked up his 5th win on the season. Zarabila took the loss.
At the plate the Spartans were led by Andrew Mann, Chris Jessop, and Kurt Rietzel, each with 2 hits.
The Spartans (13-3) travel to the Loudoun County High School as the try to revenge an early season loss to the Raiders. The Pride will host the visiting Briar Woods Falcons.
