BRUNSWICK, Md. – Big games need a big boom.
Gavin Remarge provided the big blast by connecting for a first-inning grand slam on Saturday to send No. 3-seeded Smithsburg on its way to a 9-6 win over No. 2 Brunswick in the Class 1A West II semifinals.
The homer shifted most of the momentum immediately Smithsburg’s way as the Leopards pulled out the win to advance to the West II final against No. 4 Boonsboro – another upset winner – on Tuesday at Smithsburg.
The winner will advance to the Class 1A state quarterfinals, a position that Smithsburg is used to experiencing. The Leopards are the defending West II champs and advanced to the state semifinals last season.
Remarge, the fifth hitter in Smithsburg’s batting order, hit his shot to center field to give Smithsburg the early 4-0 lead.
Even with the dramatic opening, Smithsburg needed a five-run fifth inning to insure the win.
Mason Oates provided a two-run double and Heath Githens added a run-scoring single to key that rally.
Smithsburg starter Gavin Blumenaur allowed a run on four hits over four innings, while walking two and striking out four. Brunswick starter Zackary Via was touched for seven runs on five hits in four-plus innings. He struck out four and walked four.
The Leopards made the most out of six hits and six walks. Jaxon Teson led Smithsburg with two hits.
The Railroaders, who were eliminated by Smithsburg last season, collected 14 hits, led by Hunter Reed with two hits and three RBIs. Dillon Murphy and L.J. Tobery collected three hits each.
Class 1A West II semifinal
No. 4 Boonsboro 6, No. 1 Clear Spring 5
CLEAR SPRING, Md. – Boonsboro went big so the Warriors didn’t have to go home for good.’
Logan Atkinson and Parker DeBaugh led the way as Boonsboro’s took down the region’s top seed on the road.
Atkinson went 4-for-4 with five RBIs, highlighted by a fifth-inning grand slam that broke a scoreless tie.
The Warriors, who are now 8-12. entered the game with nine fewer wins than the Blazers (16-5). The win sends Boonsboro to Smithsburg on Tuesday to play for the region title.
DeBaugh started and allowed two earned runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts to earn the win. He also pitched a solid six innings for the win, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts. He also had two hits.
Evan Tall also had two hits for the Warriors.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Class 4A West I Semifinal
No. 1 Urbana 8, No. 4 South Hagerstown 4
Urbana advances to the West I final for a shot at reaching the state quarterfinals.
BOYS LACROSSE
Class 3A West I Semifinal
No. 2 Linganore 19, North Hagerstown 3
Linganore hosts No. 4 Oakdale in the West I final for the right to advance to the state quarterfinals on Monday.
COLLEGE GOLF
Shepherd pair complete three-day regional tournament
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Boonsboro’s Morgan Dehoff finished tied for 45th place on Saturday to lead a pair of Shepherd University players at the after posting a 54-hole total of 222 at the DII Men’s Golf East/Atlantic Region Regional Championship at the Sunnehanna Country Club, hosted by Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday.
Gannon University won the team title.
Dehoff fired rounds of 76-73-73 in the three-day event.
Trey Rios also competed for the Rams, carding a total score of 228 (78-76-74) to tie for 72nd place.
