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Heritage Academy's Nate Patey tries to hurdle the tag of Shalom Christian's Ryan Salzmann during Monday's Mason Dixon Christian Conference baseball tournament final. Patey knocked the ball loose from Salzmann's glove and was safe at third base. (By Kevin G. Gilbert/Staff Photographer / May 20, 2013) |
HAGERSTOWN —
Heritage Academy capped off an unbeaten baseball season with a 10-5 win over Shalom Christian in the championship game of the Mason Dixon Christian Conference tournament on Monday at Grace Academy.“I just wanted to get guys on base and steal,” Heritage coach Jeff Kriner said. “I think our speed on the field was the biggest thing and that made the difference. Whenever Shalom had a pretty big inning, we answered back with one of our own.
“This was our second straight tournament title and the fifth one for our three seniors, since they were in the eighth grade.”
Those seniors — Collin Poyle, Bryce Nigh and Bubba Kriner — are the first three hitters in the order for Heritage (10-0). They combined for seven of the Eagles’ 14 stolen bases, with Nigh swiping five.
Kriner drove in a run and scored three. Nigh also scored three runs, while Nate Patey had three hits for the Eagles.
Nigh started on the mound and gave up three earned runs on five hits while striking out seven in six innings to get the win. Kriner worked one scoreless inning of relief.
“Bryce pitched a great game,” Jeff Kriner said. “He had good control all day. He kept the ball where he needed to, so the defense could help him.
“I am very proud of all of these guys. They have worked hard all year. I talked to them early in the season about finishing strong. I told them to not be content where they are. I told them to move forward and excel.”
Matt Wenger led Shalom (11-3) with three hits.
The Eagles never trailed, taking the lead with three runs in the first inning. They added two runs in the second, two in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Broadfording defeated Calvary Christian 8-4 in five innings in the consolation game.
Bret Fogle, an eighth-grader, struck out five in going the distance for Broadfording (6-10). Andrew Grimm had two hits and two RBIs, and Trevor Snodderly and Fogle scored two runs each.
Justin Swagger had two hits and scored two runs, while Gavin Hart also had two hits for Calvary (10-6).
Heritage Academy 10, Shalom Christian 5
Shalom 010 220 0 — 5 5 3
Heritage 320 221 x — 10 7 4
Crilley, Wenger (5) and Gift. Nigh, Kriner (7) and Kriner, Patey (7). WP — Nigh. LP — Crilley.