He asked for three runs, and when Brett Harman was awarded four runs from his Westminster offense, the senior right-hander had no choice but to come through on the mound.
And that?s exactly what the Maryland-bound Harman did, striking out eight and scattering six hits in a 4-1 win over Centennial at Saturday?s 3A state championship nightcap at Ripken Stadium.
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“I wanted this more than anything I wanted in high school. I wanted to get to this game, I wanted to be the pitcher out there to control my destiny. My team helped me out great tonight, and I can?t even describe the feeling. It?s a great way to end a high school career ? with a state title.”
The title was the first in Westminster (15-8) history.
“Its kind of bittersweet. It?s the last game I get to coach him,” said Westminster head coach Bryan Harman ? Brett?s father. “He?s a horse. He?s a beast on the mound when you get him a couple runs. He said ?give me three runs and I?ll bring it home.?”
For the fourth run, Chris Eckard hit a home run in the sixth inning, prompting optimistic chants of “He?s a sophomore” from the Westminster crowd, which was out in force despite a lengthy ride from Carroll County.
“Its fantastic to see the group come down and support us like this,” coach Bryan Harman said.
That run was the fourth for Westminster, an exclamation point on the three requested by Harman ? who wowed even a prepared opposing manager.
“He?s upwards of 400 pitches in the last two weeks,” Centennial coach Denis Ahearn said. “He?s an outstanding pitcher, he has great stuff, and he?s a bulldog.”
Harman had three hits ? including two bunt singles ? and won his fourth game of the playoffs.
Centennial starter Ben Winter was pulled in the fifth, trailing 2-0. He was 3-for-3 at the plate, including a triple, but was saddled with his first loss of the season.
Centennial finishes the season 20-5, just short of sending of their seniors with a second state title after claiming the 2004 title under Ahearn.
EXAMINER TOP TEN
» 1. CALVERT HALL (33-0)
» 2. ARCH. SPALDING (27-10)
» 3. EASTERN TECH (19-2)
» 4. C. MILTON WRIGHT (21-2)
» 5. ARUNDEL (16-5)
» 6. WESTMINSTER (15-8)
» 7. CENTENNIAL (20-5)
» 8. FALLSTON (16-5)
» 9. PARKVILLE (15-5)
» 10. BOYSLATIN (30-3)
