Halfway impresses in first-round win

July 06, 2008|By CONNER GILBERT

SHARPSBURG -- The Halfway All-Stars looked to be in contending form, defeating Sharpsburg 8-1 in the opening round of the Maryland District 1 11-12 Tournament.

Halfway manager Jack Jenkins couldn't have hoped for a more well-rounded performance from his team.

"We played good defense, hit the ball well, and pitched well," Jenkins said.

Halfway jumped out to a lead in the top of the first inning when Josh Wilson tripled to right field and scored on a throwing error. Ryan Boward doubled and scored on Kenny Mack's single to give Halfway a 2-0 lead.

"Defensively, Sharpsburg's outfield played well," Jenkins said. "But we were just able to hit the ball hard."

Sharpsburg answered in the second when Tristan Walter's RBI infield single cut the Halfway lead to 2-1.

But Halfway buckled down and never looked back.

In the third, Halfway's Bobby Brennan scored on a wild pitch, and Boward scored on an error to make it 4-1.

Boward's RBI double off the right-center field fence in the fourth gave Halfway a 5-1 advantage.

While Boward was swinging the bat well, he also was stifling the Sharpsburg offense. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and struck out 10. He yielded only three hits and two walks.

"He threw strikes all day long," said Jenkins. "And you can't ask for more than that."

Halfway padded its lead in the fifth when Geraghty Showe's RBI single to shortstop scored one run. Mack scored on an error, and Kevin Henson came home on a fielder's choice to make it 8-1.

"The kids were confident today, and they played that way," said Jenkins.

Jenkins knows that if his team consistently plays with a high level of confidence, good things will come.

"We need to continue to play hard and pitch, hit and field well," Jenkins said.

Halfway will host Clear Spring on Monday at 6 p.m.

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