By Paul Taylor
The Patterson Mill Huskies celebrated Senior Night in style at Ripken Stadium Friday night, defeating the Kent Island Buccaneers, 7-1. The Huskies used a big third inning and a terrific start from senior pitcher Kyle Hilker.
The Huskies got on the board right away in the first inning. With two outs and a runner on second, Robert Besante hit a fly ball to right that the Kent Island right fielder misplayed. Austin Abild was able to score as a result of the error. The Huskies led, 1-0, after one inning.
The Buccaneers got their first base runner in the third inning, after Liam Christenson reached on an error. He would not advance any further, as Hilker got two strikeouts and a ground out to get out of the inning.
In the bottom of the third, the Huskies took advantage of three hits, an error and two walks. They sent ten batters to the plate and scored six runs to break the game open, leading 7-0 after three innings. Abild, Matt Larson, Alex Peters, Kyle Goudy, Graeme Fenton, and Jacob Buher all scored in the inning, and Buher batted twice, leading off and ending the frame.
Hilker continued to cruise on the mound. Through the first five innings, he allowed only three base runners. He ran into trouble in the fifth. With one out, he allowed back-to-back walks, followed by a single to load the bases. Topper Korb then hit a sac fly to score Bill Davey, getting the Buccaneers on the board. Patterson Mill still led, 7-1.
The Huskies would hold the Buccaneers off the board the rest of the way, and Hilker earned the win. He pitched six innings, allowing one run, three hits, and two walks, but struck out eight Buccaneers.
Patterson Mill will host Rising Sun on Monday at Harford Community College. Kent Island will host St. Michaels and Easton to finish out their regular season this week.
Congrats to the 9 Husky seniors! Such fine young men of character, strength & spirit. + good looking too!