Streaking Gaithersburg Rallies Late to Beat Quince Orchard

On Saturday, May 7, the Quince Orchard Cougars and Gaithersburg Trojans closed out the 2011 regular season in grand style with a thrilling game at Gaithersburg High School. 

The Cougars started quickly, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  But, Gaithersburg answered in the bottom of the first.  Senior Max Heldman (#2) got things going with a double and then advanced to third on a wild pitch.  Senior Mike Toomer (#12) hit a single to score Heldman.  Senior Starting Pitcher Billy Cullen (#17) singled, advancing Toomer to second.  Senior John Hallock (#10) later bunted in Toomer, and Senior Kevin Menso (#20) – pinch running for Cullen – scored on a Cougars’ error.  The Trojans led 3-2 after one inning. 

Cullen and the Trojans defense made quick work of the Cougars in the top of the second.  In the bottom of the second, Heldman hit a two out double, stole third, and then scored on another Cougars’ error.  The Trojans led 4-2 after two. 

The Cougars tied the score 4-4 in the top of the third, but Senior Zack Fetters (#15) made a spectacular diving catch in center field for one out and Cullen picked off a Cougar at second  base to limit the damage and hold the score at 4-4.

Freshman Pitcher Nick DeCarlo (#9) relieved Cullen with one out and Cougar base runners at second and third in the top of the fourth.  Later, with the bases loaded, the home plate umpire ruled – controversially -- that a DeCarlo pitch hit a Cougar batter in the hand, scoring one run.  DeCarlo then shut down the Cougar rally, with the Cougars ahead 5-4 heading to the bottom of the fourth. 

Hallock replaced DeCarlo on the mound in the top of the fifth.  The Cougars scored one run to build their lead to 6-4.  In the bottom of the fifth, Toomer earned first base after being hit by a pitch, and Hallock later helped his own cause by hitting a single to score Toomer.  Cougars 6, Trojans 5 after five. 

Hallock and the Trojans held the Cougars in the top of the sixth, setting the stage for an epic Trojans’ rally.  In the bottom of the sixth, Senior Tyler Knight (#7) singled before advancing to second on an excellent sacrifice bunt by Sophomore Connor Mitton (#4).  Fetters then walked.  Toomer was then hit by another pitch, loading the bases for Cullen, who blasted a single down the third base line to score Knight and Fetters.  Toomer then scored on a Cougars’ error.  The Trojans led 8-6 after six. 

Hallock and the Trojans’ defense played flawlessly in the top of the seventh, shutting down the Cougars to win the game 8-6. 

The Trojans improved to 14-6 on the season and will now begin preparations for the Maryland 4A Playoffs, after advancing to the 4A West Regional Final in 2010.