It was a week of wild plays and crazy stat lines in D.C.-area high school baseball. As teams work toward — or pass — the midway point of the season, there were more than a few notable accomplishments.
Paul VI continued its winning ways with back-to-back no-hitters. First came senior Thomas Russell in a 1-0 win over O’Connell, and then it was senior Carter Spivey pulling it off three days later in a 4-0 victory against Gonzaga. The Panthers now have three no-hitters on the season.
In Fairfax County, sophomore Drew Dougherty gave W.T. Woodson a 9-6 win over West Springfield with a walk-off grand slam. It was Dougherty’s first high school home run, and the video drew some serious attention online.
The weekend brought a perfect game in Maryland: Sherwood’s Bradshaw Steeley struck out 13 in a 16-0 win over Northwood. At one point, the junior fanned 12 straight.
“He really got into a groove. It was fun to watch,” Coach Sean Davis said.
The win moved the Warriors to 10-0 — a nice, round record at the season’s halfway point. Pitching has been key to their success, with Steeley and junior Ben Vok leading the staff.
“They’ve been on point this year,” junior first baseman Michael Bouma said. “They’re the reason we’re here.”
On offense, Bouma sits at the heart of the lineup, racking up RBI. Davis called him one of the best high school hitters he has ever coached.
With so many juniors in key roles, the Warriors are surprised by their strength and excited by their potential for next spring.
“I’d call this season ‘ahead of schedule,’ ” Davis said. “I thought we’d come out with some talent and get after it, but our time would really be next year.”
Bouma said he had the same idea until earlier this season, when the Warriors knocked off Poolesville and Northwest, both defending state champions.
“We have a little bit of everything,” he said. “We’re ready to come out and make a run this year.”
1. Riverdale Baptist (21-1) Last week’s ranking: 1
The Crusaders’ latest victory, their 15th in a row, was a 13-8 win over Lake Braddock that included a three-hit, three-RBI day from Corey Rosier.
2. Paul VI (16-2) LW: 4
The Panthers followed their 4-0, no-hitter win over Gonzaga with another win against the Eagles, this time 2-1.
3. St. John’s (14-3) LW: 2
The Cadets bounced back from their first WCAC loss, to Gonzaga, by taking down DeMatha, O’Connell and McNamara to finish the week.
4. Sherwood (10-0) LW: 6
Junior Ben Vok, the Warriors’ No. 1 starter, is 3-0 and has not given up a run.
5. Riverside (9-2) LW: 3
The Rams came back from a 9-2 deficit but couldn’t finish off Woodgrove, falling, 10-9, in eight innings.
6. Severna Park (9-1) LW: 7
Since losing to Broadneck, the Falcons have brought their offense back to life, scoring double-digit runs in four of their past five games.
7. Woodgrove (8-0) LW: NR
The Wolverines’ upset of Riverside was just the latest accomplishment in what has been a perfect start.
8. Madison (8-3) LW: 5
It was a frustrating week for the Warhawks, who were edged by Marshall, 2-1, and then fell to West Springfield, 7-6.
9. Lake Braddock (8-3) LW: 8
Senior Rojo Prarie racked up four RBI and struck out five through three innings in the Bruins’ 13-0 win over Fairfax.
10. Damascus (7-1) LW: NR
The Hornets have emerged as a contender in Montgomery County by winning their past six games.
Dropped out: No. 9 Battlefield (9-3), No. 10 Freedom-South Riding (7-2)
On the bubble: Potomac (10-2), Dominion (11-1), Howard (9-2), Poolesville (5-2)