SMITHSBURG, Md. – South Hagerstown and Smithsburg split a pair of close games on the diamonds Friday.
The visiting Rebels won the softball game 5-4, while the host Leopards came out on top in baseball, 11-9.
In the baseball game, Chase Sarber hit a three-run homer to center with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning that proved to be the game-winner, putting Smithsburg in front 11-9 on the way to its fifth straight win.
Smithsburg (6-1) led 7-3 after three innings and 8-7 after five before South (3-4) scored two in the top of the sixth to take a 9-8 lead.
George Mantz and Heath Githens each had two hits and two RBIs for the Leopards. Luke Scott doubled and singled, Desmond DeJesus hit a solo homer, and Sarber scored three runs. Mason Oates, Smithsburg’s fourth and final pitcher of the day, worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn the win.
For South, which has lost four straight since its 3-0 start, Shawn Higgins went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Luke Leisinger doubled, singled and drove in two runs, Micah Rivera also had two hits and two RBIs, Derek Kline scored three runs and drove in two, and Logan Hammond added a double.
In the softball game, the Rebels (4-4) scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-2 lead and held on for the win, withstanding Smithsburg’s seventh-inning rally.
Ja’Seri Chapman had three hits for South, while winning pitcher Kailia Burke helped her cause with two doubles and an RBI. Raelee Fry also had two hits and an RBI, Kaelynn Kunkle smacked a two-run homer, and Triana Williams added two hits.
In the circle, Burke allowed four runs (one earned), four hits and two walks while striking out nine in a complete-game effort.
For the Leopards (3-4), Kimberly Herbert and Adianna Dudley each had a double and an RBI, Morgan Baker also doubled, and Rileigh Romberger drove in a run. Herbert recorded five strikeouts in two scoreless innings of relief.
