Written by Mahaley Wise

After losing the first game of the doubleheader on Friday night, the Senators game back to win the second game against the Cropdusters. Senators pitcher Nick Wimberly (Florida Atlantic) threw five hitless innings while the Southern Maryland offense scored big runs to clinch a 7-0 victory. 

The Senators jumped ahead in the first inning, scoring two runs and showing the Cropdusters their strong offense. Adam Troch (Duke) started the momentum with a single, and Logan Tribble (Wofford College) followed with a go-ahead double to send Troch home. Another double by Danny Surowiec (Boston College) allowed Tribble to earn a run, the second of the inning. The Senators now led the Cropdusters 2-0.

The Senators struck again in the second inning, keeping up the momentum. Jack Gagen (Tusculum College) started with a leadoff single, making his way to third on a hit by pitch and a fielder’s choice before scoring on an error. 

Meanwhile, the Cropdusters struggled to get runners home, leaving two men on base each inning.

Wimberly pitched five scoreless and hitless innings against the Cropdusters. He struck out 14 batters – a season-best for any pitcher. He punished batters with his impressive pitches, which appeared desirable but were missed by the Cropdusters’ big swings. He was focused and strong in his best outing of the year, delivering nasty pitches through the strike zone. The Cropdusters remained stumped on how to hit his pitches. 

After three scoreless innings, the Senators scored two more insurance runs to add to their extended lead against the Cropdusters. Gagen started the sixth with a lead-off walk, followed by an error in the left field to put runners on the corners. An error by Cropdusters' shortstop allowed two runs to score as the Cropdusters' defense struggled to keep the Senators down, 5-0. 

Jimmy Kirk (Millersville) broke the no-hitter in the sixth inning with a new Senators pitcher, Nate Berzonski, on the mound. However, the Cropdusters remained scoreless into the seventh inning. 

The Senators continued to tack on runs in the seventh. A hard hit double to left field by Carter Groen (UConn) set up an extra run. Groen made it to third on a wild pitch and was brought home by a sacrifice fly from Dawson Smail (Xavier). The Senators now led 7-0.

The Cropdusters had one final opportunity to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, hoping to close the gap the Senators had built over the course of the game. But they came up short, and the Senators secured the win in the second game. Friday’s doubleheader ended in a split, with each team claiming a  hard fought victory and enduring tough battles against strong pitching performances.