By Roy Harper
Keyser, WV. You simply had to be there to believe it. Potomac State who trailed 7-0 after two innings, rallied for a remarkable come-from-behind-extra innings walk off win over CCBC Catonsville 8-7 on Sunday afternoon.
Dramatic plays, close calls and emotions from both teams provided a one-for-the-ages finale at Golden Park.
Nik Rubendall provided the fireworks with a game tying solo home run in the sixth inning and then the dramatic walk off winning home run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
"I'm proud of our guys," said Potomac State Head Coach Doug Little. "We beat a good team over there, (Catonsville), our guys hung in there today as they have all season. They never stopped working and giving us all that they have."
Catonsville jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when Jaeden Kelly singled to open the game. He scored ahead of Jake Long who homered to centerfield to make it 2-0. The Cards added two more runs in the opening frame on a two-run single from Kevin Santos DeLeon to make it 4-0.
In the second inning a single from Tyler Sankovich and doubles from Nick Stergiou and Elijah Charlot gave Catonsville a 7-0 lead.
PSC chipped away at the lead in the second inning when Jimmy Sadler led off the inning with a walk. Gage Biby then launched two-run home run to straightaway centerfield to make the score 7-2.
Potomac State first taste of excitement came in the bottom of the third inning. After a line out, Rubendall singled to left field. Maddox Brooks was then hit by a pitch. Jimmy Sadler singled to left to load the bases. Then, after pitching change, Bibey blasted the first pitch off the left field fence scoring all three runners. The relay throw from the Cardinals shortstop sailed over the catcher's head allowing Bibey to score all the way from second base to make the score 7-6.
PSC's pitchers held the Cardinal Cam Reed who allowed a run in the second inning, settled in to not allow another run in his 2 1/3 innings. Aidan Sites worked two innings of scoreless baseball, striking out two and Brooks worked the final two innings for the win.
Rubendall led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to tie the game at 7-all.
Catonsville threatened to take the lead in the seventh when Virgil Watson singled up the middle. After a line out, Watson was thrown out trying to steal second on a perfect throw from Kris Sutton who had just entered the game. The threat was not over as Kelley walked and the Long singled and advanced to second on the throw from the outfield, however he slid past the bag and the Catamounts were able to tag him out ending the threat.
The bottom of the seventh created more thrills and after one out Bryce Suters tripled off the fence in centerfield. Jordan Canby cam on to run for Suters at third base. Cam Cole lifted a short fly ball to right that Nick Stergiou caught in a diving effort. Canby tagged and tried to score on the play as Stergiou was off his feet, however Stergiou delivered a strike to home to retire the speedy runner pushing the game into extra innings.
Brooke allowed just a single in the top of the eighth to set up the bottom of the inning.
After an out, Rubendall stepped to the plate and delivered the game winner setting off a massive celebration for the Catamounts.
"I felt good for Nik," said Little. "He works harder than anyone we have; he hits balls hard and deserves to enjoy this special day."
Rubendall finished the game 3-4 with three runs and two RBI. Bibey added five runs batted in and a pair of hits.
Potomac State won the opening game 8-6.
Jimmy Sadler drove in three runs while Cam Cole, Gage Bibey, Aidan Milton and Sammy Bradfield each drove in a pair.
Caden Goodwin went six innings striking out three to pick up the win. Chris Harbert worked the final inning striking out two to pick up the save.
Jaedan Kelley homered for Catonsville.
The sweep gives Potomac State eleven wins in row and a record of 25-16. They will now advance to the Region 20 tournament held May 3-5 at Harford Community College in Bel Air, MD.
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