HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Matt Mallardi went 4-for-4 with a double and four RBIs to lead North Hagerstown to its first win of the season, a 13-3, five-inning victory over previously unbeaten South Hagerstown on Monday at North.
“I was just thinking line drives and get on base,” Mallardi said. “I’m fired up. I’m ready for the next game, bring the same approach.”
It was the Hubs’ 21st consecutive win over the rival Rebels (3-1), a streak that began in 2017. The last six meetings have ended by the 10-run mercy rule.
“We always tend to have good games against them,” North coach Justin Lewis said. “We come out here and definitely bring the energy a little bit more against South and play good ballgames.”
While it was the fourth game of the season for the Hubs (1-0), it was the first to officially conclude. Their first three contests were suspended due to either weather or darkness.
“Finally, we get to complete a game,” Lewis said. “Beautiful weather, it feels good. Win or lose, it feels good to get a game in.”
After South scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning, North found itself trailing 3-2.
“That woke us up a little bit,” Lewis said. “We talked and realized, ‘Hey, we have to change our approach. What we’re doing isn’t working. Let’s do something else.’ We had a better approach at the plate and started stringing some stuff together and scored a bunch of runs.”
The Hubs answered with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth and four more in the fifth as they finished with 16 hits, including at least one by every starter.
Cole Bratburd had a double, single and two RBIs for North. James Ortiz also had two hits and two RBIs, while Eli Brown and Jordan Gingerich each had two hits and an RBI. Joey Dorsey added an RBI, and Blake Custer scored three runs. Jackson Coulter went the distance on the mound for the win, allowing three runs (two earned), four hits and two walks while striking out five in five innings.
For South, Shawn Higgins had an RBI double, Luke Leisinger also doubled, and Grant Louchery and Logan Hammond each drove in a run.
