LA PLATA, MD — In an early season clash, CCBC Essex and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) split a doubleheader, with each team claiming a victory in the day’s contests. The games, held on March 4, 2024, showcased the skills and strategies of both teams, setting the tone for their respective seasons.
The first game saw CSM take an early lead with a four-run burst in the third inning, ultimately securing a 5-2 victory. The inning was highlighted by Jaden Hendricks’ two-run double, contributing significantly to the team’s success. CSM further capitalized on their momentum with Cody Cox’s sacrifice fly and Yunior Pena’s RBI single, extending their lead. A late rally by CCBC Essex in the seventh inning, spurred by Ethan Rainier’s two-run single, narrowed the gap but wasn’t enough to overcome CSM’s lead.
Davey Reynolds, the starting pitcher for CSM, delivered a strong performance, allowing only two runs over 6.1 innings before Chase Bart closed the game. On the CCBC Essex side, starting pitcher Trevor Viera was charged with all five runs over four innings, with Deuce Dalton providing two innings of scoreless relief.
The box score for CCBC Essex showed a mixed offensive performance, with seven hits leading to their two runs but ultimately being hampered by two errors on the field. CSM’s offense managed six hits, translating to five runs, backed by a clean defensive performance with no errors.
The second game of the day painted a different picture, with CCBC Essex emerging victorious with a 3-0 win. The team’s offense was more effective, converting eight hits into three runs. Key contributions came from Cameron Brewer and Yeraldy Amparo, each driving in a run, while Deuce Dalton’s RBI double in the fourth inning added an insurance run.
CCBC Essex’s pitching was dominant in the second game, with starter Zachary Robinson striking out seven over 5.1 scoreless innings. Takuma Ogino finished the game, preserving the shutout. CSM’s Kyle Chowaniec took the loss, with Tucker Duke, Caleb Bean, and Rayden Deets each contributing in relief.
Despite the loss in the second game, CSM showed resilience and competitive spirit, with their pitchers combining for five strikeouts and their defense committing no errors. However, the team’s offense struggled to capitalize on opportunities, leaving six runners on base.
The doubleheader split leaves both teams with much to consider as they progress through the season. For CCBC Essex, the late rally in the first game and the shutout victory in the second will serve as confidence boosters. Meanwhile, CSM will take solace in their early-game dominance in the opener and look to address the offensive shortcomings exposed in the second game.
As both teams continue their season, the lessons learned and the experience gained from this doubleheader will undoubtedly play a critical role in their development and performance in future matchups.
