HAGERSTOWN, Md, – The South Hagerstown softball team reached really deep to claim a victory on Monday.
Four Rebels collected at least two hits and South needed six players to drive in runs to hold off Clear Spring for 16-11 victory. The Rebels drew 15 walks and stole 10 bases in the game.
South (9-6) never trailed, but needed a four-run sixth inning to get enough breathing room for the win. The Blazers threatened, moving within 12-10 after 5 ½ innings, but the Rebels responded with a four-run sixth to put the game out of reach.
Kaelynn Kunkle provided two hits, including a major punch with a two-run, inside-the-park home run. She stole four bases, scored three times and walked twice.
Raelee Fry topped South’s offense with three hits and three RBIs while working 3 2/3 innings as the starting pitcher. The Blazers tied the game at 7-7 with five runs in the fourth.
Fry was touched for seven runs (two earned) on six hits, while walking four and striking out six. Kailia Burke finished the game, pitching the final 3 1/3 innings while allowing four runs on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts to earn the win.
Burke also collected two hits, including a double, and an RBI.
Triana Williams had two hits with an RBI and two walks. Chelsea Desmond had a two-run double, scored twice and walked three times.
Julia Hayes led Clear Spring with two hits and three RBIs, while Audrey Gehring and Ella Warner added two hits each.
Starting pitcher Caitlyn Thompson had a rough outing, allowing 12 runs (nine earned) on nine hits with 12 walks and four strikeouts. Alexis Cox pitched the sixth, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks with two strikeouts.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
North, Smithsburg finish old business, but adjourn new case
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Once again, North Hagerstown and Smithsburg were both beaten again … by darkness.
The second meeting of the season end just as the first. Past dusk with the game still in progress.
Smithsburg rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh and North got one back in the bottom of the inning on Monday to forge a 6-6 tie that was called after nine innings by darkness. The completion of the game is in question with the regular season ending on Monday.
The game was the backdrop after North finished off a 12-11 victory over the Leopards in the completion of a game started on March 24 at Smithsburg, also called on account of darkness.
In Monday’s game, North took a 4-0 lead in the second and led 5-1 after five before the Leopards erupted.
Smithsburg took a 6-5 lead in the seventh of North reliever Joey Dorsey. The Leopards sent 10 hitters to the plate in the rally.
Ryan Darr was hit by a pitch to start the rally, which was fueled by a pair of North errors. Chase Sarber, Mason Oates and Collin Burras had RBI hits. Matt Mallardi came on to relieve Dorsey, who faced nine hitters in two-thirds of an inning.
North tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with Cole Bratburd slapping an RBI single on a 3-2 count with two outs.
North threatened to end the game in the eighth, as did Smithsburg in the ninth before the game was halted.
North took a 4-0 in the second inning against Smithsburg starter Gavin Blumenaur, capped by a Eli Brown’s two-run single and RBI double by Mallardi, both coming with two outs.
Smithsburg broke through on North starter Jordan Gingrich in the top of the fourth on Scott’s RBI single to make it 4-1.
North got a run in fifth when Gingrich doubled to score James Ortiz to get to 5-1.
In the completion of the first game, North – playing as the visitor – led 11-10 when the game resumed in the top of the sixth inning.
Brown had a two-out RBI single in the top of the sixth to give North an insurance run.
Smithsburg got the run back in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a balk.
North left runners stranded on first and third in the seventh. Smithsburg’s final rally fell short, leaving the tying and winning runs on second and third base as the game ended.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Shepherd’s Ruffner named conference pitcher of the week
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Shepherd University’s junior Madelayne Ruffner was PSAC East Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season on Monday.
Ruffner posted a 2-0 week with a pair of shutout victories. She fanned nine and walked one in a 3-0 win over No. 25-ranked Shippensburg on April 21. She tied her Shepherd single-game mark with 19 strikeouts (two walks) in a 1-0 win in 10 innings over Kutztown on Friday.
COLLEGE MEN’S GOLF
Rios, Dehoff earn regional tournament berths
INDIANAPOLIS – Shepherd University seniors Trey Rios and Morgan Dehoff – of Boonsboro -have been selected to participate in the 2026 DII Men’s Golf East/Atlantic Region Regional Championship on May 7-9 hosted by Pitt-Johnstown.
The tournament will be held at the Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, Pa.
