SHERWOOD (21-0) vs. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (23-3)
Maryland 4A state final
Joe Cannon Stadium (in Severn)
Today at 3
Storyline » Sherwood is bidding to become Maryland’s first undefeated state champion since 2000 (Damascus). Game was scheduled for Friday night at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, but was moved to accommodate the ER prom Friday night.
Sherwood history » The Warriors are gunning for its first state title. Coach Billy Goodman took Sherwood to the state finals in 2004, where they lost to Bowie.
ER history » After losing nine straight times in the state semifinals, ER finally got past its stumbling block with a 12-7 win over Quince Orchard Tuesday. Can the Raiders do it again with a win over another Montgomery County school?
Sherwood pitching » Drew Hoffmaster (12-0, 0.39 ERA) threw only 70 pitches in the Warriors’ 10-0, six-inning, mercy-rule win over Thomas Stone in the state semifinals Tuesday. Can he go on two days rest? If not Maryland-bound Kyle Blackwell (5-0, 2.42 ERA) is a nice fallback.
ER pitching » George Mason-bound Sean Swetnam (7-0, 0.78 ERA) got the win and the save Tuesday in the semifinals, re-entering in the seventh inning when Chris McCaslin (6-2, 0.65 ERA) struggled in relief. Swetnam threw 110 pitches Tuesday. He’s unlikely to pitch more than a few innings today.
Sherwood offense » The Warriors deep lineup is led by seniors Steve Smith (.438, 29 R), Alejandro Acevedo (.429, 27 RBI, 4 HR), Brett Daly (.400), and Matt Lopsonzski (.354, 31 R). Junior SS Tom Gilchrist had a triple, a home run and scored four runs from his leadoff slot Tuesday. DH Carter Willson added three hits and two RBI.
ER offense » Junior 3B Casey Conrad (.525, 33 R, 24 RBI) leads the offense along with INF Tom Fenster (.450) and SS Mikey Kerdock (.387, 31 R). The entire Raiders lineup proved potent Tuesday, producing 15 hits. OF Andrew Felter went 3 for 4. No. 7 hitter Dante Dozier and nine-hitter 2B Josh Goldsworthy both went 2 for 3 with two RBI each
