On May 24, the top seed in the 2A classification, the Huntingtown Hurricanes, took on the three seeded Parkside Rams in the state championship at Prince George’s Stadium. In the state semi-finals, both teams took down their opponents by just a few runs. Huntingtown triumphed over the Hereford Bulls 4-2 while the Rams took down North Harford High 5-2. Parkside’s defense was the strongest aspect of their game in the first few innings, highlighted by several outstanding plays in the outfield by center fielder Caanan Mapp. The senior opened the bottom of the first with a diving catch on a fly ball into right center, following that up with a sliding catch in the next inning on a bloop into shallow center. In the top of the third, Huntingtown’s defense responded, as shortshop Jacob Cadden made a diving catch of his own in shallow left field on a fly ball. In the bottom half, Cadden stepped to the plate with one out and knocked a deep fly ball int right field. The sophomore’s hit one-hopped the outfield fence, and he made it to third standing up. In the next at bat, Hunter Thomas hit a ball on the ground to shortstop. While he was out at first, Cadden scored the Hurricanes’ first run of the contest. David Harkins led off the next inning with a single on a ground ball to right field. Despite being moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Garrett Jones, he was left on the bases. For the Hurricanes, Trevor Robbins started the bottom of the fourth with a flyball down the right field line that hopped over the fence for a ground rule double. In the next at bat, Robbins took off for third, but was caught stealing by Parkside catcher Ryan Lewis. In the bottom of theh fifth, Noah McMurry beat out an infield single with one out, but was unable to score. In the top of the sixth inning, Huntingtown starting pitcher Trevor Robbins took the mound having thrown just 59 pitches. He allowed two baserunners, David Harkins and Garrett Jones, on two walks, but got out of the jam as Chase Hurley grounded out to the second baseman. The final hit of the game came in the bottom of the sixth, where Trevor Robbins singled on a line drive into left. With no more offense in the contest, Huntingtown took home their first state title since 2016, defeating Parkside 1-0. For the Hurricanes, Trevor Robbins earned the win, throwing six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while picking up five strikeouts on 83 pitches. Chase Shepherd pitched all six innings for the Rams, allowing just one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts. Additionally, Jake Cassidy came in to throw the top of the seventh for Huntingtown. The senior needed just seven pitches to pick up three outs, including a strikeout. Congratulations to both teams for reaching this momentous game.
