Clippers shock Seahawks to land in regional final

For the Bennett baseball team, the third time was the charm. The Clippers defeated Stephen Decatur 5-3 Wednesday afternoon in Berlin.

It was the Seahawks that got off to the quick start, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of a Brandon McKenzie single, scoring Austin Dundore and Lane Dillion. With an early lead, Decatur starting pitcher Sean Colgan began to settle in. He pitched two scoreless innings, before surrendering his first in the third when Bennett centerfielder Michael Jean Charles swiped home off a wild pitch.

Decatur would add another run on the third, when Zach Adams sac’ fly scored Dundore. Trailing 3-1 heading to the fourth, Bennett’s bats began to turn on. Caleb Taylor tied the game at 3 with a 2 RBI single, and later, a Cade Rousseau single would score Jean Charles, giving the Clippers their first lead of the day.

With the lead, Bennett’s pitching staff began to settle in. Starter Luke McCulley ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth, leaving two on with one out for Tyler Dunn. After getting his first batter to pop up, Dunn got his next looking to get out of the inning.

After a scoreless 6th inning in which Conner Banks relieved Dunn, Banks delivered a big RBI single, scoring Rousseau and pushing Bennett’s lead to 5-3. Banks would then allow to runners to reach base, but strikeout his final batter to secure the win.

Bennett will now travel to Chopticon to try to capture the 3A South regional title, game time is set for 4 pm in Morganza, MD.