Freedom Eagles

Spartans Avert An Eagle Upset With 3-1 Victory

STERLING, VA - On paper, and based on the total margin of victory to date (32-1), the Spartans looked like they should have walked through their first round match up against the 8th seeded Freedom Eagles. However the Eagles came to play and gave the Dulles District champions all they could handle as starting pitcher Anthony Perez and his teammates were able to gain momentum throughout the game, squashing two bases loaded Spartan opportunities, and narrowly missed the upset, loosing 3-1.

In a game having moved to Park View high school due to heavy rains in the previous days, the Spartans started hot as pitcher JP Devlin set the first 9 Eagles down in order. On the flip side of the plate, the Spartans scored in the first inning when Ryan Diviney singled with two outs and then scored on a triple from Tommy Meier. Meier would then score on an RBI single up the middle from Cole Shain putting the Spartans up 2-0.

In the 4th inning Meier led off with a single, however pinch runner Billy Rocca was caught steeling on a pitchout and throw from Eagle catcher Matt Murphy. The Eagles were able to stifle the potent Spartan running machine keeping the Spartans 0-1 on steel attempts. Following Meier, Shain singled to left and moved to third on a double from Trey Brocke. Kurt Reitzel then walked to load the bases with only 1 out. Perez was then able to force a grounder to SS Jeremy Rilko who stepped on second and made the throw to 1st for an inning ending double play.

The momentum clearly shifted to the young Eagles as Perez singled to lead of the 5th. Trevor Moore followed with a walk. Dustin McIntosh then hit a ball to 3rd but an errant throw allowed McIntosh to reach safely. With bases loaded and no outs, Devlin was able to strike out Jeremy Shockley. Ali Moosvi then grounded out to 3rd but Perez scored on the play bringing the Eagles within 1. Devlin was able to get Brad Baker to ground out ending the threat.

In the top of the 6th, with the Eagles down 2-1, Matt Murphy reached on a single and moved to second on a single from Kyle Stevens. With the tying runner at 2nd, Devlin was able to get Perez out on an infield fly and the Moore to ground out to second base. In the bottom of the 6th the Spartans added an insurance run as Diviney would reach on a passed ball strike out. Meier would follow with his third hit of the night moving Diviney to 3rd. With runners at the corners, Patrick Murphy hit a sacrifice fly scoring the run and putting the Spartans up 3-1. Brocke then followed with another single and Bubba Bernstein walked to load the bases. Perez was able to end the bases loaded threat with a good play and a hard come backer to the mound, keeping the Eagles within 2 runs.

The Spartans then brought in Adam Luhmann to close the game however the Eagles were not to go down easy. McIntosh led off with a single. Shockly reached on a fielders choice but moved to third on a single from Ali Moosvi. Shockly was thrown out at the plate as he attempted to score on a hit back to the pitcher from Baker. Luhmann was then able to get Jeremy Rilko to ground out to end the game and secure the Spartans 18th win of the year.

At the plate the Spartans were led by the middle of their order (4-5-6) with Meier (3-3), Shain (2-2) and Brocke (2-3) accounting for 7 of the Spartans 8 hits.

Devlin earned his 5th win of the year going 6 innings, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits. Perez went the distance for the Eagles, striking out 3, walking 3, but taking the loss.

The Spartans (18-3) will host the Dominion Titans (13-8) for round two of the district tournament on Tuesday at Broad Run High School.

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