On a warm Saturday afternoon, B-CC’s baseball team geared up for the first game of their regular season against the Damascus Hornets. A 0-0 record represents a fresh start for a team that saw many key assets from last year’s squad move on to college.
As many students and parents watched on, the Barons made the call for Sophomore George Cropp to start on the bump to begin his second season on Varsity. Cropp got off to a rough start, with Damascus loading the bases before the Barons could record an out; however, Cropp was able to limit the damage, allowing only 2 runners to score.
To begin the second inning, Cropp appeared to finally be able to calm his nerves, allowing an early walk, but quickly retiring the next 2 Hornets’ hitters. Just when it seemed the Barons were back on track, a Damascus 2-out double and yet another walk that later turned into a run quickly doubled the Damascus lead. The Hornets’ defense saw a similar inning with the Barons, quickly retiring the first two B-CC batters before giving up a home run to Sophomore Jesse Orford, followed by 3 straight walks. Unfortunately for the Barons, a strikeout left all 3 runners stranded with the Barons in a 4-1 hole.
The third inning was no easier for the Barons. With 1 out and runners on the corners, Damascus attempted to steal second base as the runner from third crossed the plate, extending their lead to 5-1. After a rough 2.2 innings, the Barons elected to go to their bullpen, bringing in Senior Griffin Clear, who was able to limit the damage and get out of the inning.
The fourth was by far the best inning for the Barons. To begin the inning, Orford walked, and Junior Lincoln Fisher reached on a fielder’s choice that saw his teammate get out at 2nd base. With 2 outs in the inning, the Barons took 2 more walks before Senior Ouest Vermillion came to the plate. After fouling off several pitches and filling up the count, the B-CC Senior cranked a fly ball to left field for a grand slam, tying the game at 5 a piece.
The fifth inning was all Damascus, with an early hit-by-pitch, a double, and a sacrifice fly putting Damascus back in front and a fielding error extending the lead yet again, shutting down any momentum the Barons may have felt.
If there was any doubt that Damascus was riding high, a swinging bunt with help from what looked to be a missed call by the first base umpire and an RBI double to add to the Hornets’ lead looked to put the final wraps on the Barons. Damascus put yet another run across in the 7th, defeating the Barons by a score of 9-5 to begin the season.
Following the game, Vermillion’s disappointment was clear. “[It] sucks to lose for sure. We just kept battling. Couldn’t get it done.” His biggest takeaway from the loss was the team’s defense. “I think the main problem we had was just [that] we weren’t locked in on defense, so I think we just have to step it up.” While the team did commit a few errors, it is important to note that this was just the first game, so the team was likely still shaking off some rust.
The team will have the opportunity to get their season back on track this afternoon when they face Gaithersburg at 3:45 here at B-CC.
