Catoctin baseball wins State Championships

Mia Ferraro
CHS Class of 2022

(7/2021) The Catoctin High School varsity baseball team has stepped up to the plate once again at the Class 1A Baseball Maryland State Championship tournament for the first time since their previous victory in 2013. After two years away from the field, changes to their game plan, and a momentous comeback, the team has finished off the season with their second-ever Maryand state championship title.

Due to the cancellation of 2020 spring sports, the team had not played a high school baseball game since 2019 as freshmen and sophomores. Consequently, of the nine seniors on the team of 20, only four had a year or two of experience on the varsity team prior to this season. The lack of overall experience among the team would not undermine the successful efforts that the players would contribute upon returning this year, completing the season with a record of 10-6. "It was amazing that our kids had this opportunity to compete," Catoctin varsity baseball coach Mike Franklin expressed. "To win [states] was even better." Franklin has been coaching the team for 22 seasons, and previously led the Catoctin team to compete at the State Championships in 2002, 2003, 2009, and 2013. The team prepared thoroughly for the chance of competing once again since May 19th when the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) Board of Control approved of spring playoff games and state tournaments.

The Cougars appeared to face a redeemable tumble at the start of the season, with a loss of 2-0 against the Frederick High School Cadets at their first game, followed by a close and unexpected defeat of 6-5 against the Urbana High School Hawks. The team would then go on to win three consecutive games with a total of 20 points, allowing their opponents only 5 points. The Cougars completed their regular season with a record of 5-6. "We were a great pitching team for the whole year," Franklin commented. With an ERA of 1.10, their pitching was perhaps their biggest strength. The team, intent on increasing their average of 1.35 runs per game, determined that their offense reserved the most room for improvement and decided to switch up their strategies in time for playoffs. "We struggled offensively so when we got to the playoffs we adopted an aggressive style of baseball in an effort to not strike out and not pop up." The batter would use a slash hitting approach, which would allow him to make a grounder or a liner. When it proved to refine their performance during the postseason, the team resorted to implementing this technique consistently at every pitch in an inning rather than exclusively after two strikes--as they had regularly done. "We ended up pressuring other defenses and it worked wonderfully," said Franklin. "Pretty incredible for a team that struggled offensively." The team never trailed a single inning at any of the five playoff games. They also scored more runs in the postseason than the entirety of the regular season.

After wrapping up the regular season with their last game on June 2nd, the team travelled a total of over 500 miles on the road to farther fields throughout the postseason. With every playoff game having been an away game, Franklin thanks the community and fans that travelled and supported the team throughout the season. The playoffs began on June 9th at the varsity region semi-finals, where Catoctin defeated MPSSAA Class 1A No. 1 seed Clear Springs High School Blazers with a score of 6-5. They then advanced to the varsity region finals on June 12th and won 16-4 against the Smithsburg High School Leopards, earning their seventh MPSSAA 1A West Regional Championship title. The Cougars went on to compete at the Class 1A quarterfinals on June 14th against the Patterson Mill High School Huskies. Two consecutive triples by senior Bryson Caballero and sophomore Joey McMannis put Catoctin in the lead at the top of the third inning. The team had two no-hitters, carrying one into the seventh inning. The Cougars won the game 3-1, advancing to the Class 1A semifinals on June 16th. They then faced the Northern Garrett High School Huskies to compete for the spot at the state championships. Five walks, a single, and an error took Catoctin to an instant 4-0 lead at the top of the first inning. McMannis scored a two-run homer, growing the lead by two points at the top of the second inning. McMannis contributed two hits, as did Caballero and senior Dylan Click, both who doubled. Sophomore Peyton Castellow allowed six hits and two strikeouts in three innings. The Cougars led 11-4 by the seventh inning and emerged triumphant with 13-5 by the end, advancing to the state championships.

The baseball team took their talents to the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland to compete at the Class 1A Baseball Maryland State Championship tournament for the fifth time in Catoctin history. "I’m extremely proud of these players and these coaches," said Franklin. "Our practices were amazing and our focus was laser-like. To watch it all come together and unfold the way it did was amazing." The tournament was held on June 18th against the St. Michaels Middle/High School Saints. Catoctin was already leading 1-0 at the top of the first inning after an RBI from junior Logan Simanski, who would later contribute two more RBIs and two hits. Castellow had two hits, and Caballero contributed a triple, double, and an RBI single. By the top of the third inning, junior Dylan Nicholson widened the lead with a three-run homer--the only home run in four games at the state tournament. With two RBI singles, a safety squeeze and an error, the score raised to 8-2 in the fifth inning. Catoctin racked up eight strikeouts from McMannis, senior JJ Zirkle, and senior Ayden Shadle. Shadle finished it off with a strikeout at a victorious 10-3, which was met with "pure joy and elation," as Franklin described, by the community. The players immediately dove into a pile on the field in jubilee.

"This season has taught me a lot about coaching," Franklin stated. He praised the team for their progress and for "committing to an aggressive style of baseball that we weren’t used to." "Never give up on the team even when they’re struggling," he added. "There’s always a way, you just have to find what that is for you." Though a number of team members have graduated this past month, the several returning players are certain to build off of the many valuable experiences and lessons from this past season.