Published: May 16, 2008 10:29 am         

Playoff Magic Continues

Miners handle Smithsburg, 9-4; play Clear Spring for title today

FROSTBURG - Ninth-seeded Mountain Ridge continued its strong playoff push by beating 12th-seeded Smithsburg 9-4 for its third win in as many days Thursday afternoon at Frostburg State University.

The Miners (11-7) will go for a four-win week and the Class 1A West Region championship today, at second-seeded Clear Spring, at 4:30. The winner advances to next week's state tournament.

Clear Spring (17-3) edged sixth-seeded Boonsboro in yesterday's other semifinal, 2-0.

Jeremy Shingler went the distance and scattered seven hits to get the win against Smithsburg. He also did some damage with his bat as well, clubbing a two-run home run in the first inning, and adding an RBI single in the sixth.

Mountain Ridge held a 5-4 advantage going into the bottom of the sixth inning when it put up four big insurance runs.

Matt Farris was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to second when Sean Fazenbaker drew a walk. Marcus McGinnis singled in Farris, and Shingler's single brought home Fazenbaker to make it 7-4. Will Clauson followed with a two-run single, scoring McGinnis and Shingler and giving the Miners a five-run cushion.

Cody Hovatter had a double, and Clauson finished with a pair of singles for Mountain Ridge.

For Smithsburg, Shriner had two doubles, Smith one double and Metzger two singles.

Mountain Ridge's road to the region final began with a 12-10 win at Southern on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Miners upset top-seeded Northern 3-2.



Photo reprints of the Mt. Ridge / Smithsville game are available here.