Lions Drop Two to Hagerstown
by Tyriq D. Smith
The Dundalk Lions baseball team faced a challenging start to their season in their first doubleheader of the year, suffering losses in both games. The first game ended with an 11-2 scoreline, and the second game, while more competitive, finished 10-6 in favor of Hagerstown Community College. Despite the tough results, the Lions showed resilience, especially in the second game, where they fought hard to make it a much closer contest.
In the first game, the Lions struggled to find their rhythm both on defense and at the plate. The team had trouble generating offense and was unable to keep up with the Hawks. However, despite the loss, there were still some notable individual efforts in the field. JP Moralas and Sung Kim played key roles turning two double plays. Additionally, Ethan Earley and Lucas Hursey contributed solid defensive plays, making sure the Lions stayed competitive throughout the game. On the mound, Drew Neff gave a strong performance at pitcher, striking out six batters. However, despite these efforts, the Lions managed only five hits for the game, which ultimately was not enough to overcome their opponent.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Lions played well. They came out with a solid start, taking a 3-2 lead as they entered the second inning. The offense seemed to find a little more consistency, and the team appeared poised to compete. Unfortunately, the Lions couldn't maintain their offensive output, and after the second inning, they struggled to keep the momentum going. They went scoreless until the sixth inning. However, they did not give up and continued to battle. Ethan Earley, Ricky Montelongo, Ryan Kennedy, and Coreem Wright each contributed with key RBI's. Ethan Rainier was particularly effective with 2 RBI's. Despite their late push, the Lions couldn't quite catch up, and the game ended with a 10-6 loss. With several players already showing promise, including standout defensive efforts and key offensive contributions, the Lions' potential for growth throughout the season is evident.
Looking ahead, the Lions will be hoping to rebound in their next matchup, where they will face Cecil College on Saturday, March 1st, in another doubleheader. The first game is set to begin at 11 a.m., followed by the second game at 1:30 p.m., both at CCBC Dundalk Baseball Field. After a tough start to the season, fans can expect the Lions to come into this doubleheader with a renewed sense of energy and determination, hoping to even up their record and show improvement from their early games.