Box Score WESTMINSTER, Md. – McDaniel played some small ball to notch a 2-1 victory over Dickinson in Centennial Conference (CC) baseball action on Wednesday.
Zach Fortuna (Metuchen, N.J./Metchen) pitched eight strong innings for the Green Terror (9-15, 1-6 CC), fanning six batters and allowing just three hits. Jordan Rhodes (Fawn Grove, Pa./McDonogh [Md.]) closed out a 1-2-3 ninth for his first collegiate save.
Billy O'Neill nearly matched Fortuna for the Red Devils (16-13, 3-4 CC) in a classic pitchers' duel, going the distance and striking out 10 while allowing just six hits.
The two pitchers combined to face the minimum through the first four-and-a-half innings before Brad Thaxton (Stevensville, Md./DeMatha) drew a one-out walk in the fifth.
An attempt to retire Thaxton on a ground ball resulted in a wild throw and put runners at the corners for Austin Fry (Sunbury, Pa./Shamokin Area), who recorded his second hit of the game – a double to the wall in right field to stake the hosts to a 1-0 lead.
A Nick Valori (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) infield single led off the sixth before an Eric Grantland (Pasadena, Md./Northeast) single and fielder's choice put runners at the corners with two outs.
Kasey Nelson (St. Pete Beach, Fla./St. Michaels [Md.]) broke on first movement and got caught in a rundown. Valori raced home and beat an attempted relay to the plate for a 2-0 lead.
Adam Quine drew a pinch-hit walk to lead off the eight before a hit batter and Max Brown bunt single loaded the bases.
The Green Terror turned the double play on the ensuing ground ball, conceding the run before Fortuna got a fly ball to left to keep it a 2-1 game.
Fry and Valori were the only hitters for either team with multiple knows.
The Green Terror concludes the home-and-home series with Dickinson in Carlisle on Friday. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
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