St. Paul's baseball ends a 23 year championship draught

by Derek Toney

In a mere 85 minutes Sunday, two decades of heartbreak ended for the St. Paul’s School baseball program.

The Crusaders won the 2026 MIAA B Conference championship with a 11-1 five-inning mercy rule decision over Park School at Joe Cannon in Harmans. 

Jaidyn Thornes drove in four runs and junior Antonio Carpenter had two hits and three RBI for St. Paul’s (18-6 overall). Senior leadoff hitter Andrew Mitchell reached base four times.

For the first time since 2003, when the Crusaders won MIAA A Conference title, the “Crusies” have a baseball championship.

It's not that the Brooklandville school hasn't been knocking on the door in recent years.

The Crusaders were routed by McDonogh School, 14-2, in last year’s tournament finals. In 2022, St. Paul’s lost twice to Indian Creek after entering the finals undefeated. In 2021, Boys’ Latin scored the winning run on a dropped third strike to deny the Crusaders.

There was no denying them on Sunday. St. Paul’s didn’t drop a game (3-0) in the double-elimination tournament. 

“Couldn’t have a better group of guys to go out there and win it all,” said Crusaders coach AJ Barnhardt. “They’ve worked incredibly hard and gone through some hardships.”

“We were so close last year and we brought back a lot of seniors and just the team camaraderie, the friendships that we have built over the past four years,” said St. Paul’s senior Colten Krause. “It’s really special.”

Krause, one of 10 seniors, allowed a run on four hits over five innings Sunday. St. Paul’s pitching allowed four runs in the postseason. 

The Crusaders had 11 hits Sunday as eight players reached base. Brendan More scored three runs and drove in a run.

Mitchell, who had two singles, walked twice and scored three runs, said St. Paul’s didn’t let their high expectations this spring overwhelm them.

“It’s not a super strict program where we go out there and it’s ‘you got to do this and this,’” said Mitchell, who will play for Towson University next spring. “Everyone’s laughing and having a good time and I think that’s what really brought this team together.”

After not scoring in the first inning despite having three players reach base, St. Paul’s started rolling in the second. The Crusaders flipped the batting order, scoring five runs on four hits.

Mitchell and More opened the fourth with walks and Thornes tripled home both runners. Junior Antonio Carpenter added a RBI single for an 8-1 advantage.

Thornes singled home Mitchell and More in the home fifth with the 10th and 11th runs, and a celebration - 23 years in the making - started.

St. Paul’s scored 25 runs in its final two games.

“I think we were capable of winning it last year and we should’ve won it,” said Crusaders senior outfielder and Maryland recruit Eli Livingston. “I think what we did today makes that statement true…it sets a high standard for the team in the years to come.”

Jack Rogers’ infield single plated sophomore Noah Tomasino with Park’s only run in the fourth. After winning back-to-back MIAA C titles, the Bruins (15-6) held their own this spring in the B.

“To take on the challenge of facing this type of competition that have been in the B Conference for years…for us to move up and be competitive, I’m nothing but proud,” said Park coach Chris Hagan. “The kids bought into the culture of competition in practice and that led to belief.”

Livingtson, Mitchell, Thornes and Jackson Angulo-Bartlett each capped their four-year varsity careers with that elusive championship. They won’t get to celebrate Monday in school with their classmates since they’re done with their senior academic commitments.

“The juniors can do that tomorrow,” smiled Mitchell.