Knights Clutch Up, Make Incredible Comeback

By Austin Johnson

Rosedale, Md.— The Knights came into Saturday's doubleheader vs Montgomery College looking to increase their winning streak to 5 games as they march towards the NJCAA Region 20 Division II Baseball Tournament. They secured game one, with the score close, and both starting pitchers going deep. With the Knights winning 2-1, Todd Murphy would earn his fourth win of the season, ranking second in the conference. He would also pitch his third consecutive complete game on the season, giving up one run on six hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. This game brings Murphy's season ERA to 2.82, but his ERA against conference opponents is even lower at 2.06. When speaking to him after the doubleheader Murphy said "I wouldn't say it wasn't one of my better starts this year. I had some trouble with the off-speed (pitches) earlier in the game. I found a way to throw strikes and guys made some great plays. Eric had a great catch in right field and a great throw to home. These guys played great."

Murphy would go on to throw 108 pitches, throwing 73 of them for strikes. Montgomery starter Christian Hobson would throw 77 pitches, 46 of them for strikes. Hobson would end the game pitching six innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout.

The Knight's two runs in this game came from the bat of Armando Prieto in the bottom of the second inning. His two-RBI single to right field would score Manny Jackson and Mitchell Haywood.

Game two was a different tale as the Knights found themselves down 8-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Emmanuel Maldonado hit a two-out, two-run home run to give the Knights hope, cutting the Raptor's lead to four. Then in the bottom of the seventh, the Knights found a way to come back starting with an RBI double from Waskar Martinez, scoring Eric Elliot. L.T Jimenez would then single to left, scoring Alvin Carela and Martinez. Finally, Manny Jackson would reach on an infield hit scoring Jimenez to tie the game.

The Knights would lead off the inning with a walk to Elliott before Carela laid down a bunt and reached first safely. While Martinez was at the plate, Elliott and Carela were able to advance to second and third on a wild pitch. The Raptors then made the decision to intentionally walk Martinez to load the bases and bring L.T Jimenez to the plate. Jimenez stayed patient, earning the team's fourth walk of the game and third of the inning to walk it off!

Harry Fegan was on the mound for the Knights to start game two and would go on to pitch three innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Matt Hite came in as relief and pitched two innings, giving up one earned run on three hits, with a strikeout. Ian Babey would come into the game in the sixth inning and go on to pitch the last three innings of the game, allowing one run on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts, earning his second win of the season.

When asked about his team's performance in the second game, Murphy was so proud of his teammate stating "The seventh inning in the second game, I don't know how many teams could've done that. For us, pulling together like that after 14 innings of baseball shows how well we can do our jobs."

Outfielder Eric Elliot made two fantastic defensive plays in both games, making a diving catch in right field and throwing out a Raptor's runner tagging from third. Speaking with him after the game about those plays, he said "I have great coaches that have helped me with my fundamentals, so I have to thank them."

When discussing the team moving forward, Elliott stated "We have a very strong team. We can fight back and we proved that today. We just need to take this momentum and finish the season well."

Listening to Head Baseball Coach Sean O'Connor speak with his team after the sweep he discusses how the team rebounded when necessary. "We got back into the game from good at-bats. We stuck together, we played to the 21^st out, we won a baseball game, and I'm really proud of you guys for that" but he also emphasized the adjustments that needed to be made as they head into the NJCAA Region 20 Division II Baseball Tournament soon.

The Knights return to the diamond on Monday, May 2^nd when they travel to Newton, PA to face Bucks County in a single, nine-inning game at 3pm. They will then end the regular season in The Kingdom with a doubleheader vs Garrett College on Thursday, May 5^th. The first pitch of this MDJUCO Region 20 matchup is set at 1 and 3 PM. After that, the Knights will prepare for the NJCAA Region 20 Division II Baseball Tournament that begins on Tuesday, May 10^th.