The Emmorton baseball team is trying to make history at the Cal Ripken World Series ? and the players know it.
But after suffering a 4-2 loss yesterday to College Point, N.Y., it will be much harder to do. For Emmorton to become the first Harford County team to advance from pool play in the event?s eight-year history, Emmorton (1-2) must defeat Tampa (Fla.) (2-1) this afternoon at 4 at the Fenway field at the Ripken Complex in Aberdeen ? and hope it receives some help.
That?s because only the top two teams from the National Division advance to Thursday?s elimination round. Lexington, Ky., (3-1) earned the top seed. Tampa (2-1) has a one-game lead over Sikeston, Mo., and College Point, N.Y., and Emmorton, who are all 1-2. If Tampa wins, it advances. But if Emmorton wins, the team that advances will be the one that has allowed the fewest runs during the tournament. Through three games, Sikeston has allowed 14 runs, with Emmorton and Tampa having each given up 17. New York has been scored on 23 times.
New York and Missouri meet at Fenway today at 1:30.
“They knew coming into these last two games that we could make history if we pulled a win off,” Emmorton manager Mike Scheuerman said prior to its 4-2 loss to College Point. “We?re going to pull out all the stops to win one [today].”
Scheuerman will start right-hander Billy Dearth, who threw one scoreless inning on Tuesday.
“I thought we played very well,” Scheuerman said. “I think we looked good today and on Sunday, as well. They?re hanging with regional champs. I?m as proud of the loss today as I was with the win on Sunday.”
College Point, N.Y. was led by center fielder Adrian Castano, who doubled twice, scored once and drove in the first run during a three-run, third inning. New York left-hander Joseph Morel struck out nine and scattered four hits to earn the win.
“If there is a weak spot on our team, it?s that we haven?t been hitting,” Scheuerman said.
Emmorton was led by catcher Zachary Scheuerman, Mike?s son, who singled in each of his three trips to the plate.
“I do better against faster pitching, I think,” Zachary said. “I guess I saw the ball well today.”
So too did shortstop Jeff Taylor, who?s spectacular plays at shortstop led a strong defense.
“We need to have the same defense and the same pitching as we had [Tuesday],” Zachary said. “With a couple more hits, we could have won that game [Tuesday].”
The Emmorton players will know at that point whether they?re still alive with a chance to move into Thursday?s elimination round, where teams will play for a spot in Friday?s U.S. Championship. The U.S. champion will face the International champion Saturday at 5 p.m. at Cal Sr.?s Yard in the World Championship game, which will be televised by Versus.
“We?re pretty hyped up about it,” Zachary said.
