Written by Mahaley Wise

The Cropdusters and Grays met up on Sunday for a mid-morning game. The Grays got an early lead in the game, but ultimately the Cropdusters secured the win, 12-1, piling up runs before a thunderstorm cut the game short. 

The Grays scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Andy Rivera (Holy Family) started with a lead-off single, moving to second on a groundout. A sharp double into the gap by Marc Quarrie (Wofford College) sent A. Rivera home to earn the first run. The Cropdusters shut down the Grays with one left on base.  

In the third inning, the Cropdusters took the lead with two runs. Luke Keefer (Maryland) started the momentum on the bases with a single. A run behind the Grays, Zayke Hawkins (Utah) came to bat ready to take the game back. He fired the ball over the pitcher, over the center fielder, and over the wall. That ball was out of here! Hawkins lifted up his hand to the sky to make sure everyone in the crowd had seen where the ball went. He trotted around the bases, coming home to celebrate with his teammates. A clutch home run by Hawkins put the Cropdusters in the lead, 2-1. 

The Cropdusters kept adding on to their lead with two more runs in the fourth inning. Camden Hodges (Anne Arundel CC) began with a leadoff walk, followed by a single by Angel Santiago Cruz (University of Richmond), putting runners on the corners. A sacrifice fly by Will Henson (VCU) sent Hodges home to score the first run of the inning for the Cropdusters as they tacked on security for future innings. An error by the third baseman allowed Cruz to score another run. The Cropdusters now led by three runs, 4-1.                                                                     

In the fifth inning, the Cropdusters continued to do damage and score runs. An error by the shortstop allowed Jimmy Kirk (Millersville) to reach first, and he quickly stole second to add pressure on the Grays. A double by Austin Stalker (West Chester) sent Kirk home. Hodges worked a walk and was sent home on a single by Henson. The Cropdusters continued to inflict their offensive power on the Grays. Another single by Brian Scott (Frostburg State) scored Cruz, making it a three-run inning for the Cropdusters. 

Kirk started the sixth inning with a leadoff single. Back-to-back walks by Andrew Kell (Salisbury) and Stalker loaded the bases for the Cropdusters. A groundout delivered by Hodges allowed Kirk to score as the Cropdusters extended their gap against the Grays, 9-1.

The Grays continued to struggle defensively as the Cropdusters continued their surge of runs. Scott started with a leadoff single and worked his way to second on an error by the third baseman. He continued to run the bases, stealing third and then running home after an error by the catcher. An error by the left fielder sent Hawkins home to score an additional run. Stalker sent a sacrifice fly to left field to score Cade Walter (Jacksonville). The Cropdusters loaded the bases, scoring another run on a hit by pitch that sent the runners cycling around the bases. 

A torrential downpour on the field sent players and fans running for cover, ending the game early. The Cropdusters were able to capture the win, 12-1.