Archbishop Spalding blanks Calvert Hall in MIAA A championship series opener
Three Cavaliers coming on a three-hitter; Spalding can win its third straight league title on Sunday
Calvert Hall scored early and often in its two game sweep of Archbishop Curley in the MIAA A Conference baseball semifinals, but no one pitches quite like two-time defending league champion Archbishop Spalding.
The Cavaliers, who shutout the Cardinals in two of their three regular season meetings, blanked Calvert Hall once again on Friday, as three pitchers combined on a three-hitter as Spalding took Game 1 of the 2024 MIAA A Conference Baseball Championship Series, 3-0.
Spalding, the two-time reigning A Conference champion, cam complete a three-peat on Sunday when the two squads meet for the second game of the best-of-three series at Joe Cannon Stadium (2:30 p.m.)
Peyton Mamula made the start for Spalding and worked 5.2 innings, striking out eight and allowing just two hits to the potent Cardinals’ lineup. Mamula retired the first two Cardinals in the top of the sixth, but was lifted after a single of the red-hot Michael Copenspire and a walk to Brayden Wolf.
Sam Houchens came on in relief and ended the threat by getting a fielder’s choice grounder. Houchens put the first two runners on in the Calvert Hall seventh with a walk and a hit by pitch, but recorded the first out with a strikeout, before allowing a single that loaded the bases. Arian Vargas then came on to get the final two outs with a pop out and an infield force out.
Spalding scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the second as Houchens followed leadoff singles by Carson Merritt and Carver Salazer with a three-run home run.
In the B Conference, McDonogh defeated Boys’ Latin for a second time in the this tournament, ending the Lakers season and sending the Eagles to the tournament finals where they will need to defeat undefeated St. Mary’s twice to win the crown.
McDonogh prevailed, 7-5, one day after losing to St. Mary’s, 8-1. The Eagles and Saints will meet at noon on Sunday at Joe Cannon Stadium. If McDonogh wins, it will force a second game on Monday.
The final elimination game in the MIAA C Conference tournament ended with an identical 7-5 score as St. Vincent Pallotti topped Concordia Prep. The Panthers earned a spot in Sunday’s finals with the victory. They will need to defeat Park School twice to capture the crown, while the Bruins just need to win once to claim the title. The two squads will meet at 5:00 p.m. at Joe Cannon Stadium. If Pallotti wins, the two teams will meet again on Monday, at a site and time to be determined, in a winner take all contest.