Published: May 16, 2008 10:38 am         

Potomac State loses in Region XX final

ARNOLD - Arik Taylor tossed 8 2-3 strong innings and Charles Johnson and Matt Byres homered to lift Hagerstown Community College to an 8-5 win over Potomac State in the Region XX, Division I baseball championship game on Wednesday.

Taylor scattered seven hits, with six being singles, struck out 11 and allowed only three runs in getting the win for the Hawks (38-16-1).

Hagerstown will face Pitt (N.C.) Community College in the Eastern District Finals starting on Saturday at Hagerstown.

The win ended a string of five consecutive region titles for Potomac State.

The Catamounts (37-10) stranded 10 baserunners. Jonathan Hash, who fanned five in six innings of work, absorbed the loss.

Potomac State fought back in the losers bracket to get to the championship game with a come-from-behind victory over Monroe (N.Y.) College earlier in the day.

Justin Grantham and Brock Stevens singled in runs in a five-run eighth to help the Catamounts pull out a 12-10 win.

Jacke Healey hit a three-run home run and two doubles and four runs batted in to lead the offense.

Mike Smith picked up the win and Wes Gross worked a perfect ninth for the save.