Written by Jack Stashower

The Alexandria Aces beat the Olney Cropdusters 7-0 on Thursday at First Responder Field, improving their lead in first place in the South Division. 

The Aces entered Thursday’s contest with a 19-11 record. Their last game was a 4-2 win over the Southern Maryland Senators at Regency Furniture Stadium on Wednesday.

The Cropdusters came into the game with an 18-12 record. Their last game was a 12-1 win over the DC Grays at home last Sunday. 

With runners on the corners in the top of the first, the Aces first run of the game came off an error by the Cropdusters second baseman, scoring Tripp Capers to give them an early 1-0 lead. 

In the top of the second, the Aces would find another run off of a groundball hit by Cooper Hums (Western Michigan), which brought in DJ Scheumann (Ball State) from third to increase the lead to two. 

The Aces would have their first multi-run inning in the top of the fourth. With runners on first and second, Capers hit a towering double that bounced off the right field wall. Capers’ double brought home Adham Sahebzadeh and Hums to double their lead. 

Aces starter Mason Christopher (Seton Hall) dazzled in his winning performance, pitching five scoreless innings while only giving up two hits on five strikeouts. 

Fellow Pirate Stephen Curry (Seton Hall) came in after Christopher and carried on his work. In Curry’s two innings of relief, he only allowed one hit and struck out two batters. 

“Mason (Christopher) and Stephen Curry were fantastic tonight, credit to both of them,” Aces Head Coach Chris Berset said following the game. “They had their pitches working tonight.” 

Berset also made sure to give credit to his catcher Ernie Echevarria (UPenn), complimenting his “performance behind the dish.” 

The Aces would score their last three runs in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded, a wild pitch brought home EJ Hankerson (Maryland) to make it 5-0. In the next at bat, Sahebzadeh hit a groundball that resulted in an error by the Cropdusters second baseman, bringing home Michael Powell (UPenn) and Scheumann to increase the lead to seven. 

With Thursday’s win, the Aces move to 20-11, with an impressive 8-2 record in their last 10 games played and a 4.5 lead over the Southern Maryland Senators for first place in the South Division. 

Both teams are back on the field on Friday. The Aces return home to Frank Mann Field to face the Metro South County Braves. The Cropdusters remain at home to face the Silver Spring-Takoma Cropdusters for a doubleheader.