Class 1A state semifinal
Sheesley two-hits Pikesville for streaking Patterson Mill, 7-0
No. 4 Huskies to face defending champ Brunswick for title
In Tuesday's state semifinals at McCurdy Field, Pikesville became their latest victim.
The challenge will be nothing new for the Harford County team, which has proved a giant-killer all season. Included on its resume are two wins each over Class 4A finalist Bel Air and 2015 3A semifinalist North Harford, as well as a regional final win over 2015 state finalist McDonough of Charles County.
“I keep saying that Harford County baseball is the best kept secret around,” Patterson Mill coach Matt Roseland said. “I believe in our league. We want to be in the upper division playing all those teams because it prepares you for the moments like this.”
The Huskies, making their fourth trip to the semifinals in six years, will be seeking their first state title.
Tuesday's game quickly became one-sided, thanks in large part to Sheesley. The junior allowed just two singles, struck out 12 and walked two to improve to 4-0 on the season.
“Fastballs, curveballs and off-speed were all looking pretty solid today,” Sheesley said. “Eric [Raley] was giving me a good target behind the plate. We were doing the outside corner and I was just nipping away at it all day.”
The Huskies lineup took care of the rest, getting to Pikesville starter Matthew Rozga for four runs in the second inning.
After hitting three straight singles to start the inning, they took the lead on an errant relay to first after a comebacker to the mound. Thomas Kragh's RBI single to right and Kyle Goudy's two-run single to right extended the lead.
Patterson Mill scored on a wild pitch in the third to make it 5-0, but couldn't drive in runners on second and third with one out.
Meanwhile, the Panthers, making their second trip to the semifinals, could do little against Sheesley.
Their best scoring chance came when catcher Shayan Farasat singled to center and took second on a bobble. But courtesy runner Miller Friedman was stranded when Sheesley struck out Matthew Ziegelstein looking.
Pikesville (10-10), which recovered from a 1-6 start this season to roll through a weak region — outscoring four Baltimore City playoff opponents by a combined 78-11 — didn't threaten again until Sheesley issued back-to-back walks in the seventh.