Adam Troch (Duke) leads the Senators in many offensive categories, and is among the league's best in average (.400), hits (30), and steals (13). Photo by Maya Brichacek

Written by Jack Stashower

Since joining the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League three years ago, the Southern Maryland Senators have shown improvement year after year. This summer, the leap taken by head coach Scott Middleton and his team is by far the most admirable. 

Through 20 games, the Senators hold a 12-8 record with an impressive 8-2 home mark at Regency Furniture Stadium. After sneaking into last year’s postseason and ultimately coming up short in the championship finals, Middleton knew his team had the potential to be even better this year. To do that, he needed to recruit the team to reach those heights. 

“You know, just making relationships with college coaches is a big thing,” Middleton said. “They know what I’m looking for.”

And finding quality ballplayers is exactly what he did this offseason. Entering Monday’s game, the Senators hold both the highest team batting average and lowest team ERA in the South Division. Four batters have batting averages over .300 while five active pitchers have ERAs under 3.00. 

Of those pitchers, five have been able to keep their runs allowed limited in multiple appearances. Nate Berzonski (Mount St. Mary’s) has impressed in his five relief appearances. He leads the team with an ERA of 0.60 with 15 strikeouts through 15 innings. 

Aiden Milburn (Binghamton) has also impressed in his three starts on the mound, striking out 10 through 10 innings and holding his ERA to 1.80. Logan Bingham (Middle Tennessee State), and Vincent Luther (Binghamton) round up the list of pitchers with under a 3.00 ERA. Luther’s most recent start saw him go 5.1 innings deep into a seven-inning game versus the Gaithersburg Giants, giving up just one run. 

“We really talk to the guys about pounding the zone, obviously not throwing down the middle but to keep attacking the batters,” Middleton said about his team’s pitching strategy. “The guys have done a great job and they’re really attacking the box and letting the defense work.”

Not only are the Senators pitching well, but the bats have been firing on all cylinders as well. Adam Troch (Duke) has been the team’s standout hitter, leading the team with 30 hits and an impressive .400 batting average. After playing his spring season away from home, Troch knew he wanted to play summer ball near his hometown of Bethesda, Maryland. 

“You know, being away from family for a year, you start to miss them,” Troch said. “It’s super nice to be back home.” 

Troch’s best game came against the Cropdusters on June 11, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two walks, and four stolen bases. His goal this summer is to stay on the field consistently and improve his fielding over the long summer season. 

Logan Tribble (Wofford) has also been superb for the Senators this summer. Tribble has the team’s second best batting average with a more than respectable .357 at the plate. This is Tribble’s second year with the team. 

“I love playing for Scott Middleton,” Tribble said on why he returned. “I have a great host family, a great environment, and a nice place to stay.” 

His best game this season came against the Gaithersburg Giants on June 4, when he went 4-for-4 at the plate, scoring three runs, stealing two bases, and notching one RBI. 

Two other batters are hitting over .300 for the Senators at the midway point of the season. Nick Flores (VCU) is cruising with a .357 average,.351 average, and Steven Kraus (Binghamton) who posts a .327 average. 

But what’s kept this team’s momentum strong all season has been the team’s ability to grow a bond in a short amount of time. 

“Those rain delays sucked for everybody, but it also gave them time to all get together and do whatever they do off the baseball field,” Middleton said. “They have a great relationship and they really cheer for each other out there.” 

Troch echoed similar sentiments about his teammates. 

“Every single guy has their own personality in a good way,” Troch said. “Everybody’s super nice and it’s been great to get to know new guys with different experiences and to learn from them.” 

Middleton throughout the season has said the team’s main goal is to get back to the league championship series where they ultimately fell short last year to the Bethesda Big Train. As the 2025 season has nearly reached the halfway point, those goals are starting to look more and more likely.