Redemption Win

by Moriah McBride

The Laurel Varsity Baseball team battled some adversity after losing 9-3 to OLSH last Tuesday, 4-11. The next day, the Spartans played OLSH again, but this time they were looking for redemption on their home turf.

Senior Connor Pontzloff caught for freshman Luca Santini as he started off the game pitching to their opponents. The infield consisted of sophomores Rj Kissick and Tyler Shearer, junior Hunter Kobialka, and senior George Michaels- from first base, around to third. If you looked into the outfield, from left to right, you could see freshman JJ McBride and seniors Ryan Telesz, and Johnny Andre. After giving up a run in the third inning on a wild pitch, the score stayed in favor of OLSH at 1-0, until the bottom of the 7th inning. With one out, Kissick and Kobialka both got walked by OLSH’s pitcher. Luca Santini advanced Kobialka to third base on a force out and then proceeded to second base.

Thanks to the Junior High Baseball game and the track meet ending at LHS, the crowds at the varsity baseball game grew, and so did the anticipation and excitement. Battling through a bat, with Coach Burkes’ favorite count, 2 balls and 2 strikes, with 2 outs, JJ McBride smacked a walk off line drive over the second baseman's head as both runners scored and sent the team and fans into celebration. As Santini and Kobialka Brought in the runs, the team rushed from the dugout and swarmed McBride at first base where senior Connor Pontzloff had already tackled the freshman in excitement. The Spartans’ celebration left OLSH’s sacred hearts broken as they cried their way off the field and back onto their coach bus. But Laurel’s excitement from their win didn’t stop on the field. The team waited for their head coach’s arrival back in the locker room and when he entered, McBride held Coach Burkes back as the team dumped a bucket of water on his head in celebration! Congratulations to the Varsity Baseball team on their win and redemption against OLSH! We wish them luck as they continue the rest of their season!