BEL AIR, MD – The Harford Fighting Owls yester swept a doubleheader against Region 20 Division I foe Potomac State Catamounts, winning the first game 3-2 and taking game two 4-3 in extra innings Harford improves to 40-7, bolstered by strong pitching, timely hitting, and a dramatic finish in extra innings.

Game 1: Diehl Dominates in Tight Win
In the opener, right-hander Liam Diehl delivered a standout performance, pitching seven innings with eight strikeouts and allowing just four hits and two runs to earn his sixth win of the season.

"Liam Diehl set the tone in this game," said Harford head coach Josh Houser. "He dictated counts with his fastball, showing an ability to command both sides of the plate with it. His strike percentage was as good as it has been all year, and that allowed him to maneuver traffic [especially] in the first, fourth and seventh innings."

The Fighting Owls took an early lead in the second inning when Yariel Rodriguez (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored on a wild pitch. After Potomac State tied the game in the fourth, Keldrin Rodriguez (Bronx, N.Y.) responded with a two-run double down the right-field line, putting Harford ahead 3-1.
"The double play turned [by our defense] in the top of the fourth with [runners on] first and third and no outs changed the complexion of the game," Houser said. "After grabbing some momentum from that play, we tacked on two runs in the bottom half of the inning and never looked back.

"All week Keldrin Rodriguez came up with difference making hits and he did it again in that fourth inning with his double down the line."

The Catamounts narrowed the gap in the seventh, but Diehl and the Owls' defense held firm, securing the 3-2 victory.

Game 2: Adamski's Daring Dash Seals the Sweep
The second game featured a thrilling conclusion, as the Fighting Owls were in search of their 14^th consecutive win.

Harford jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with RBI singles from K. Rodriguez and Christian Elliott (Somers Point, N.J.).

Rueben Livingston (Reading, Pa.) added another run with a double in the fourth.

Potomac State rallied in the sixth to tie the game at three, but Harford's bullpen shut them down thereafter.

"The pitching staff's recent success was evident in this game," Houser said. "Christian Nielsen gave us a great start [allowing just two earned runs over five innings] and we wanted to squeeze one more out of him in the fifth. Our bullpen is what ended up winning us this game."

In the bottom of the tenth, with the game still tied, Frank Adamski (John Carroll School) made a bold move, stealing home to give the Owls a 4-3 walk-off win.

"Franks steal of home to win the game was just the perfect situation to go for it," Houser said. "[He and third base coach Mike Zolk] both noticed an opportunity with a left-handed pitcher on the mound and executed it perfectly. Can't say we've ever done that before, but it's great for this group to win games in different ways. It builds a lot of confidence for us that we are going to need in similar situations, and in closer games as the year continues and we move closer to playoffs."

Harford's offense tallied 14 hits, with Jeremy Reyes (Queens, N.Y.) and Elliott each contributing three.

Ryan Davis (West Chester, Pa.) earned the win in relief, pitching two scoreless innings, while striking out three.

Harford is on the road tomorrow for a double header against CCBC Essex. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. If you can't make it to the games, catch the action live at https://www.youtube.com/@ccbcessexknights.