This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Baseball: Howard Outduels Rival Hammond

Both teams got great performances from their starting pitchers, but Howard got the better of Hammond and picked up the win, 2-1.

Howard High hosted last year’s county champion, , in a Howard County matchup on Friday night. The Howard Lions outlasted the Golden Bears, picking up their third win of the year by a final score of 2-1.

“It was a definitely a big win for us. I don’t want to say [it was a] must-win but I think it proved to the guys that when we play our game, we can play with anybody," said Howard Coach Nick Hoffner. “We needed a win before spring break, and hopefully the guys can build off this." 

Neither team could seem to get on track offensively with both teams getting great pitching performances from their starters. Hammond’s Dillon Shaw went all six for the Golden Bears, giving up only two hits but took the loss. The starter went six for Howard, giving up only one run. Josh Lee came in for the seventh and recorded the save.

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hammond had plenty of chances to break onto the scoreboard in the game but was troubled nearly every inning by base running errors that cost them outs. After getting the first two runners on in the second inning, Josh Whaley stepped up to the plate with a chance to give his team the lead. But after a Whaley strike-out, Kyle Painter was thrown out trying to take home for the second out and Ben Miller was called for interference at third base, ending the inning.

“We made a few mental errors on the base paths today and I think what’s what cost us,” said Hammond Coach Matt Sillers.

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Lions were able to capitalize on Hammond’s missed chances as they took the lead in the third inning. The leadoff hitter was able to reach second base on an error by the shortstop. After a strikeout and a groundout, Howard was able to come through with the big two-out RBI single for the first runs of the game. It was then followed up with a double over the center-fielder's head to give Howard the 2-0 lead.

Now with the two-run lead, Howard came out for the fourth to try and stop the Golden Bears. The starter struck out the first two hitters for two of his five strikeouts before getting his counterpart Shaw to groundout to short to end the inning.

The lone Hammond run came in the fifth inning, starting with a Miller one-out single. He was followed by Whaley, who knocked a double into left-center field, and Miller finally scored on an error by the Howard shortstop off the bat of Matt Shiflett.

Hammond had another opportunity to tie it up in the sixth but once again ran themselves out of the inning. Kyle Cheuvront led off the inning reaching on a hit-by-pitch but was immediately caught stealing. Anthony Saleiro then walked but was picked off and tagged out in a rundown. Shaw then doubled but was left stranded as Painter struck out to end the inning.

Lee came in for the Lions to close the door in the seventh inning and did just that. After two pop outs to start the inning, Saleiro reached on an error but Lee got Shiflett to ground out to third to end the game.

Up next, Hammond (4-6, 4-6) returns home to face Oakland Mills after spring break. Howard (3-8, 3-8) will visit Parkville after the break.

         1 2 3 4 5 6 7   R H E

Ham   0 0 0 0 1 0 0     1  6  2

How   0 0 2 0 0 0 x     2  2  5

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?