BEL AIR, Md. - No. 1 Harford utilized a four-run seventh then received a shut down performance from
Joe Clancy to knock No. 3 Hagerstown out of the Region 20 DI Tournament on Sunday afternoon.
The Fighting Owls 8-5 victory advances them to a best-of-three series with No. 2 Potomac State, who bested the Hawks 11-0 in the tournament opener. Games three and four will take place Monday, with a fifth game set for Tuesday if necessary.
Leading 4-1 after four, Harford surrendered four runs over the next two innings to fall behind 5-4.
Joe Clancy stepped in with two outs in the sixth and stopped the bleeding by catching a Hawks runner on a double steal attempt.
The Fighting Owls defensive effort gave way to a strong offensive showing in the seventh. After loading the bases, Hagerstown's second baseman would commit and error that scored two. Back-to-back RBI singles from
Trey Cruz and
Jeremiah Guzman boosted the home team's lead to 8-5 before the side was retired. This proved to be more than enough room for Clancy (3-0), who surrendered just one hit while striking out three over the final three innings.
Harford stands at 43-6 on the season after the win.
Scoring Summary: Click Here
Box Score Highlights
- Joe Quelch starred early on for Harford, driving home a pair of runs on a single and a double
- Guzman ended with two hits and two RBI
- Blake Mayberry and Ehi Okojie also finished with two hits each
- Quelch and Okojie swiped one bag apiece
- Harford starter Zack Oswald (ND) struck out a half-dozen batters over five innings
Up Next
Harford battles Potomac State Monday, May 9 at 12 and 3 p.m.
