“The comeback is always stronger than the setback.”
On Thursday, March 30, the Maclay varsity baseball team faced one of their biggest rivals, the Florida High Seminoles at home at 4:30 p.m. The Marauders held the lead until the Seminoles tied things up in the top of the seventh inning, making the score 1-1. Though Florida High won against the Marauders in their previous matchup, eighth-grader Chase Fuller hit a walk-off single, allowing sophomore Zeke Podgorski to score the winning run in the bottom of the seventh ending the game with a score of 2-1.
From the first inning, the Marauders started out strong. Junior Cole Lewis grounded out, scoring one run. Podgorski proved to be powerful on the mound as he held a perfect game going into the seventh inning. Podgorski pitched six and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out five. Fuller closed on the mound for Maclay giving him his second save of the year. Head coach Drew Sherrod feels great about his team’s pitching and defense, as they went the entire game without an error.
“I’m super excited that we won the game against our district rival,” Sherrod said. “[We got the job done], and found the way to win in a walk-off.”
Freshman Colby Tadder went 2-3 at the plate, leading the Marauders in hits. As a team the Marauders racked up a total six hits that included two doubles, one from Junior Grady Brown and Sophomore George Grant. Though, despite the victory, the Marauders still have things to work on. Sophomore Hunter Smith did his job for the team, but for the next game, he would like to work on the team’s communication.
“I can definitely be more vocal,” Smith said.
Additionally, Sherrod believes that offensively, situational hitting is the key to success.
“We have got to be better at cashing in when we get people on base, and more importantly, when we get runners in scoring position with less than two outs,” Sherrod said.
Grant hit well during the matchup, as he was a key factor in the Marauder victory going 1-3 with a double that set up the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
“[In today’s game] I’m really happy with my performance,” Grant said.
Next up, the Marauders will hit the road, looking to improve their 5-6 record against Franklin County. The game will be held at Franklin County at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31.
