BEL AIR, MD -- Harford baseball had a productive weekend, sweeping CCBC Essex and Monroe University, outscoring them 43-3 to run their current winning streak to 10 games. The Fighting Owls will have the next two days off before heading to Wye Mills, Maryland on Wednesday to take on Chesapeake College. 

Fighting Owls Vanquish Knights (Saturday, April 5th)

Fueled by dominant pitching, timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning, Harford took game one 9-1 before routing Essex 15-1 in game two.

Game 1: Big Fourth Inning Breaks it Open

Harford set the tone early, capitalizing on CCBC Essex's missteps. In the bottom of the first, Rueben Livingston (Reading, Pa.) doubled and later scored, to make it 2-0.

But the fourth inning proved to be the turning point.

Derek Poole (Archbishop Curley) led off the offensive eruption with a solo home run to left field. Then after loading the bases, Harford added runs on a Ryan Albin (Southhampton, Pa.) walk, a Livingston sacrifice fly, a Frank Adamski (John Carroll School) RBI single and a two-run single off the bat of Keldrin Rodriguez (Bronx, N.Y.).

Liam Diehl (Hereford) delivered a gem on the mound for the Fighting Owls, tossing a complete game (seven innings) and allowing just one run on three hits. The right-hander struck out eight and walked only one to secure the win.

Offensively, Rodriguez led the team with three RBIs. Livingston, Adamski, Yariel Rodriguez (Philadelphia, Pa.), Christian Elliott (Somers Point, N.J.), Poole, Albin and Andrew Pedrick (Woodstown, N.J.) each had a hit. The Fighting Owls once again played flawless defense, committing no errors.

Game 2: Offensive Onslaught Continues

Harford exploded for seven runs in the first inning, capped by a momentum-shifting bases-clearing double by Danny Witters (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) that drove in three runs.

The second inning brought more of the same, as the Fighting Owls added another seven runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double from James Asmus (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and a pair of RBI singles by Ty Mercado (Ocean View, N.J.) and Jeremy Reyes (Queens, N.Y.).

Harford would finish with 15 runs on nine hits and win the game in five innings (mercy rule).

Christian Nielsen (Travelers Rest, S.C.) got the start on the mound, striking out six over two and two thirds innings while allowing just one run. The bullpen trio of Kieran Gibson (Brussels, Belgium), Dominic Williams (Coatesville, Pa.) and Sam Weiner (Croton-On-Hudson, N.Y.) shut the door the rest of the way, combining for four and a third innings of scoreless relief.

Offensively, Witters and Livingston each collected two hits, while Asmus and Witters drove in three runs apiece. The Fighting Owls had incredible plate discipline, drawing 11 walks in the contest — two each from Reyes, Rodriguez, Michael Lavanga (Alexandria, Va.) and Mercado.

Harford also had an eye-popping 12 stolen bases with four players swiping multiple bags. 

Fighting Owls Sweep Mustangs in Dominant Doubleheader (Sunday, April 6th)

The Harford Fighting Owls showcased their strength with a commanding sweep over Monroe University Mustangs, winning game one 12-1 and shutting out Monroe 7-0 in game two.

Game 1: Offensive Explosion Powers Harford to 12-1 Win

Harford opened the scoring in the second inning when Jackson Shollenberger (Easton, Pa.) plated the first run on a sacrifice fly. Monroe quickly answered in the bottom half, tying it at one on a sacrifice fly of their own.

It was all Fighting Owls from there.

Keldrin Rodriguez gave Harford a 2-1 lead in the third with an RBI single. In the fifth, the Fighting Owls broke the game wide open, scoring six runs on five hits. The rally featured RBI contributions from Adamski, Rodriguez, Danny Scullion (Medford Lakes, N.J.), Reyes, Yariel Rodriguez and Shollenberger.

Ryan Garcia (Centreville, Va.) earned the win on the mound, allowing just two hits and one run over five efficient innings while striking out three. Harford's offense collected 13 hits in total, with Yariel Rodriguez leading the way with a 3-for-4 performance and two RBIs. Adamski, Scullion and Keldrin Rodriguez also drove in two runs apiece.

The Fighting Owls were aggressive and disciplined at the plate, drawing seven walks and stealing seven bases, led by Albin's three swipes. Defensively, Harford was sharp, turning a double play and committing no errors.

Game 2: Tuthill's Gem Secures the Shutout

Harford continued its dominance in game two with a 7-0 victory, thanks to a brilliant complete-game shutout from Kyle Tuthill (Morrisville, Pa.). The right-hander scattered four hits over seven innings, struck out six, and walked just one.

The Fighting Owls got on the board in the second inning when Lavanga drew a bases-loaded walk. From there, they steadily added to their lead with a mix of patience and timely hitting.

Offensively, Keldrin Rodriguez, Scullion, Albin and Jack Fitzpatrick (Sewell, N.J.) each notched a hit, while Adamski, Rodriguez, Scullion, and Albin all drove in one run. Harford batters worked nine walks in the game, led by three apiece from Adamski and Lavanga.

Looking Ahead

Harford hits the road on Wednesday for an away game against Chesapeake and will return home Thursday for a single, nine-inning game with Rowan College of Gloucester County and will host Potomac State for a pair on Sunday.