Written by Erin Hughes

The Gaithersburg Giants used a late rally to take a 7-4 win over the D.C. Grays in Woodbridge on Thursday night. The Giants have now won seven straight contests. 

After a one-out walk to Danny Orr (UMBC) and a fly out to the first baseman, Andrew Holub (Iowa) homered down the left field line to give the Giants a 2-0 lead in the first. 

After an early showing from his offense, Sean McCabe (Charleston) pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the first, assisted by his catcher, Zach White (Lousiana-Monroe) throwing out the only baserunner at second.

In the Grays’ half of the third, Ayden Ellis (Rutgers) drew a leadoff walk before McCabe fanned the next two batters. Ryan Soong (WashU) singled to move Ellis to second, and a double from Tanner Wolpert (Franklin & Marshall) brought both runners home to tie the game. Joe Marini (Catholic U) singled as Wolpert advanced to third, but a flyout stranded both runners, leaving the game 2-2.

White drew a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch to start the top of the fifth inning. Aidan Marino singled to put White on third and then stole second. Orr was hit by a pitch to load the bases with just one out. Rudisill hit into a fielder’s choice that prevented White from scoring but left the bases loaded for Holub. His second hit of the game was a two-RBI double to break the tie and score Marino and Orr. A groundout to Soong ended the frame, but not before the Giants took back the lead.

The Grays had the bases loaded with two out in the home half of the sixth, but the Giants’ new arm, Ethan Bell, forced a flyout to end the inning and hold on to the lead.

In the top of the seventh, the Giants had runners on second and third with two outs and Holub at the plate, but Grays reliever Drew Norton (Dickinson) got him swinging to prevent any damage, keeping the score 4-2.

Jack McMullan (Liberty) led off the bottom of the eight with a single before pinch hitters Marc Quarrie (Wofford) and Andy Rivera (Holy Family) followed him with singles of their own. Quarrie’s single scored McMullan, and a double by Soong scored Quarrie and tied the game at four heading into the ninth. 

White began the ninth frame with a double, and a bunt single from Marino moved him over to third. Marino stole second and Brady Powell (Radford) doubled both runners home to take back the lead for the Giants 6-4. Orr used a sacrifice bunt to put Powell on third, and he scored on a wild pitch. After a 30 minute lightning delay, the inning ended with the bases loaded after new Grays righty Raphael Schneider (Stevens Institute) fanned the final batter. 

The Grays loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth on an error and two walks, but Alex Cromwell (Towson) retired the next three batters on two strikeouts and a fly out to secure the late-game win for the Giants.