If the rain can find a way to steer clear of the area on Friday, high school baseball fans will be treated to quite a dandy.
That’s because two high-powered ballclubs — Tuscarora and North Hagerstown — are set to tangle on the diamond. To say that the Titans and Hubs are hitting well would be an understatement, as the squads have combined to crunch out more than 100 runs over the first six games of the season.
The hot hitting has translated to the win-loss column, which has seen the two teams combine for 11 wins in 12 contests.
We’ve selected this matchup, a rematch of last year’s MPSSAA Class 3A West I Regional Semifinals, as our Game of the Week.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Tuscarora at North Hagerstown
First pitch: Friday, 4:45 p.m., at North Hagerstown
Records: Tuscarora is 5-1, while the Hubs check in at 6-0.
Last game: The Titans topped Frederick 11-2, while North Hagerstown is coming off a 12-2 win over Oakdale.
Last meeting: The Hubs and Titans tangled in the postseason last spring, with North Hagerstown earning a 10-7 victory in the MPSSAA Class 3A West I Regional Semifinals.
Meet the Titans: Tuscarora’s calling card this season has been its offense, which has generated 42 runs in six games for an average of seven runs per game … The Titans feature several big boppers in their lineup, including third baseman Parker Kopp, shortstop Isaiah Babcock, outfielder Caden Spangenberg, and catcher Cameron Vachon, as well as Gabe Bennett and Aaron Molisheas … Pitching depth is a concern for Tuscarora this season, but the Titans do have a good one in Babcock … Tuscarora has suffered just one loss this spring, a 3-1 setback against Urbana on March 28 … The Titans are the No. 2-ranked team in the MPSSAA Class 3A West I standings.
Meet the Hubs: After an 11-10 win over Clear Spring to start the season, North Hagerstown has beaten every ensuing opponent by at least four runs … The Hubs, who are averaging more than 10 runs per game, have outscored opponents 62-24 this spring … North Hagerstown is led by four players who are batting over .360: Ian Kelley, Matthew Mallardi, Colt Tucker, and James Ortiz … Kelly and Mallardi are each batting .500 and have combined for 15 runs, 16 RBI, and seven extra-base hits … Tucker (.368) and Ortiz (.364) have also been seeing the ball well this spring … Joey Dorsey, Jackson Coulter, and Henry Lewis have handled the bulk of the Hubs’ pitching this season … Coulter leads the pitching staff with 12 strikeouts, while Dorsey and Lewis have also totaled double-digit punchouts … North Hagerstown is the top-ranked team in the MPSSAA Class 3A West I standings … The Hubs have not lost a game since falling 5-4 to Linganore in last year’s region championship game.
Sandrik’s pick: Hubs by 3.
