Varsity baseball pushes for postseason berth as season slows down

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Photo courtesy Tyler Buzy

First baseman Jack Mehler tries to make the tag on BCC on Apr. 26.

Varsity baseball currently sits at a record of 9-3 with wins against Paint Branch, Blair twice, Watkins Mill, Clarksburg, Seneca Valley, Whitman, Richard Montgomery and Quince Orchard. They lost to Whitman, BCC and Churchill. The team has five games remaining against Rockville, Einstein, Poolesville, Gaithersburg and Northwood, as they look to secure a high seed in the playoffs. 

Senior AJ Grainger knows the season is winding down with just five games remaining in the regular season in his senior year before playoffs kick off. Grainger has been on the team for all four years so it is bittersweet that his career is coming to an end. “It is sad to see that the season is almost over because these are my brothers and I have created a special bond with this group of athletes, but although the season is almost over, it is not over yet and we still have work to get done before playoffs,” Grainger said.

Junior Josh Erd has been on varsity since freshman year and knows that even though he’s a junior, he still needs to step up and help out as much as he can. The shortstop has started in each game this season and looks to continue that streak as the season slows down and playoffs come around. “I am looking forward to the playoffs because it’s a time where the coaches really can tell who steps up, and I plan on stepping up,” Erd said.

The team fell short to BCC 4-1 on Apr. 26. The team left their bats at home, only bringing in two hits, one from senior pitcher Rob Carpenter, and a home run from senior Jack Mehler. “Although we lost, it felt good to hit a home run for my first of the season and try to create some type of motivation for the rest of the hitters, but I know that wasn’t a fair representation of the team’s skill and I am sure in our games to come we will pick it back up and hit the ball better,” Mehler said

Senior Liam Miller leads off the team batting and is one of the four players who will be continuing their baseball career in college. Senior catcher James Walsh is committed to play at the Coast Guard Academy, and both senior pitcher/outfielder Rob Carpenter and senior pitcher/third basemen Liam Miller are committed to play at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). 

Senior Dason Miller has been playing alongside Carpenter and Miller for many years before Wootton so he has gotten a full taste of their skill. “It definitely is a little sad to see these boys moving onto their next chapter, but I know we will remain close friends throughout the college years and hopefully we have a team reunion in the years to come,” Miller said.