Category: Poly

Engineers edge arch-rival City College, 3-2, as Spokes delivers the game-winner

by Joe DiBlasi

Poly got a walk-off single from Isaac Spokes with one away in the bottom of the seventh inning to top City College, 3-2, and capture the Division 1 Baltimore City Baseball Championship at Johns Hopkins University on Tuesday afternoon.

Dominik Allison, who came through on the mound and at the plate, scored the winning run for Coach Corey Goodwin. It was the 11th City championship for Goodwin in 17 years as the head coach of the Engineers.

Allison came on in relief of Spokes, who started and went three innings before giving way to the young sophomore in the fourth.

Allison, who hits at the top of the order for Poly, lead off the bottom of the seventh with a double to deep left field. He moved to third after two walks and then scored when Spokes drove a ground single to left field to win the game.

Coming to bat in the seventh inning, Allison said, “I knew I had to get on base. Coach told me if I got on base we would win the game. My approach was to get a single, and I hit a high fastball on a 1-1 pitch.”

Allison said it was a good win because City was the defending champion.

Regarding his stint on the mound, the young righty said he was mentally prepared because he knew he would come in when Spokes hit his pitch limit.

“My curveball was working against a very good team,” said Spokes.

On his winning hit Spokes added, “I knew I couldn't let the team down with the bases loaded. I was able to get the single that got the run in and that's all we needed to do the win the game. This was kind of a revenge game and now we have the trophy back in our locker room.”

Coach Goodwin said, “Both Allison and Spokes have been the catalysts for the offense all year. Allison has performed in the leadoff spot, and Spokes has had a surge of power this year, and he got that ground ball through to win the game.

“City has a great program. They are a bona fide baseball team and we have much respect for them.
Today we both demonstrated that the rivalry is just not about football.”

City coach Mark Miazga said, “It was a very close game, just like our other game against them this year which was a one run game that we lost 4-3.

“This one could have gone either way with a hit here or there. Will see them again in the playoffs and we look forward to that. Both teams fought hard today and they always do when we play each other.”

The game started with a moment of silence in remembrance of City lacrosse player Ray Glasgow, was also remembered yesterday when the Black Knights took on Mervo in a lacrosse championship game. Glasgow was killed, on Saturday, in a shooting in Baltimore City outside of his old Middle School in Southeast Baltimore.

Councilman Brandon Scott was on hand to throw out the first pitch for the for Tuesday’s Championship baseball game.

Scott said, “The walk-off was a great experience for the winning team. Both teams played a great game. Eight years ago we created a trophy for this championship venue here at Johns Hopkins, and I'm glad I was here to present the championship trophy.”

Zach Kannan led the City offense with three hits, but he was stranded on third after he whacked a two out triple down the right-field line in the top of the sixth, when the Knights had a chance to break the 2-2 tie.

Lee Rubinson flied out to right to end the threat.

Michael Bond also chipped in with two singles for City.

Allison had a single and a walk to go with his seventh inning double to pace the Engineers at the plate.

BALTIMORE CITY BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
(at Johns Hopkins University)
POLY 3, CITY COLLEGE 2
City 100 100 0 — 2 8 0
Poly 110 000 1 — 3 7 2
Ziman, Rubinson (7), and Banks; Spokes, Allison, (4), and Geiger
WP-Allison LP-Spokes
2B: P-Allison, Heck, Dunstan.
3B: C-Kannam.