BEL AIR, Md. - The Harford baseball team extended its season-high win streak to nine games with another doubleheader sweep at home. The Fighting Owls, who improved to 8-0 at home, defeated Salem on Friday, 10-0 and 5-1.

The Fighting Owls were firing on all cylinders in the victories. Rookies Vinnie Cautillo and Thomas O'Neill turned in outstanding pitching performances, holding the Oaks to just eight total hits in the doubleheader, and they were backed by loads of run support. 

However, the defense was truly on its 'A' game on the afternoon. The highlight of the day came early in the second contest. O'Neill gave up a leadoff walk and a double down the rightfield line, but a quick relay forced Salem to hold the runners in scoring position with no one out. Tyler Miles came to the plate and hit a fading liner into rightfield. Jonathan Castro made a diving catch as both runners tagged. The freshman fired the relay in and the cutoff man fired it to third to get the sliding runner. Then, Harford appealed that the runner on third left early, and it was confirmed by the home plate umpire for the triple play.

Matt Childress was the hitting star for the Fighting Owls in game one. He had a two-run single in the second and a two-run double in the third to finish with a career-best four RBI effort. Freshman Chase Gardner went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI singles.

Alex Riley went 3-for-6 with two runs scored, two RBIs and his first triple of the season. Castro went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI.

On the mound, Cautillo improved to 2-0 with the victory in game one. He went five innings, scattering three hits without allowing a run. O'Neill earned the complete game win in game two, allowing five hits while striking out four. He faced the minimum batters through the first four innings thanks to the triple play.

The Fighting Owls put their win streak on the line Saturday in a rescheduled contest at home. The conference match against Catonsville will begin at noon.