Maugansville suspended in fifth inning

July 30, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, Md. -- A ray of hope shone through the dark clouds for the Maugansville Senior All-Stars on Thursday.

Maugansville was on the short end of a 17-7 score against Elkton in the Maryland Senior State Tournament losers' bracket final when thundershowers swept through the area and forced the suspension of the contest.

When play resumes today at 5:30, Maugansville will have two runners on base with none out, having scored twice to slice into the deficit.

The beginning of the game was a nightmare for Maugansville.

On a combination of fielding and throwing, Maugansville was guilty of six errors which led to 10 runs for Elkton -- in the first inning.

"I can't explain it, I really can't," said manager Dan Dopson.

Dylan Dopson smacked a two-run home run in the second inning as part of a four-run rally.

"That inning seemed to give us some energy," said Dan Dopson.

Trevor Shuck, who started on the mound and was the victim of poor defensive play, delivered a two-run single in the top of the fifth that brought the deficit to 10 runs as Maugasnville stared down a mercy-rule loss.

If Maugansville can somehow stage a rally to beat Elkton, they would take a short break and then play in the championship round at 8 p.m. against undefeated Talbot, who emerged a 4-3 winner in eight innings over Elkton late Wednesday.

Maugansville would need to beat Talbot late Friday in order to force a final game for the state title at 10 a.m. Saturday.

"We're still alive in the inning and the kids have been up, standing and cheering," said Dan Dopson. "We'll give it our best shot with what we have."

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