Grays Storm Past Senators in 14-4 Curfew-Shortened Win

After a one-hour weather delay due to lightning and thunder, the DC Grays came out electric themselves, lighting up the scoreboard in a 14-4 win over the Southern Maryland Senators at Woodbridge HS on Saturday night. The game was called after seven innings due to curfew, but the Grays made the most of every frame, especially the explosive bottom of the fourth.

The scoring started early for the Grays. In the bottom of the first, Ryan Soong (Washington Univ.) reached base and quickly stole second before being brought home on a single by Tanner Wolpert (Franklin & Marshall). Joe Marini (Catholic) added a sacrifice fly, and Andy Rivera (Holy Family) drove in Wolpert with a booming double to give the Grays an early 2-0 lead.

But it was the bottom of the fourth that broke the game wide open. The Grays exploded for nine runs in the inning, capped by a no-doubt 351-foot three-run home run off the bat of Ryan Grace (Lafayette). Grace's blast brought the crowd to its feet and gave the Grays a commanding lead they would never relinquish. Contributions poured in from all over the lineup, including RBIs from Rivera, TJ Addonizio (Richmond), and Marini, along with heads-up base running from pinch runner Noel Rivera (Marist) and Addonizio, who both stole bases and crossed the plate during the rally.

DC starting pitcher Owen Basso (Lafayette) held the Senators to just one run through four innings, and reliever Dean Qira (Stevens) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. The Senators managed to score a few in the later innings, but Drew Norton (Dickinson) shut the door in the top of the seventh, and the game was called due to the 11pm curfew with the Grays leading 14-4.

In a rare move, the Senators officially conceded the game after it ended, sparing both teams from a makeup date.

With the win, the Grays (13-12) continue their strong run in the second half of the season. They are currently facing the Cropdusters in Olney on Sunday (7/13), and will be back at home Monday night (7/14) to take on the Bethesda Big Train in Woodbridge.