MORGANTOWN — Coming off its first two losses of the season, the University High School baseball team turned to a pair of sophomores to end the mini skid.
Catcher Max Cash recorded his first varsity home run and added five RBIs while pitcher James Bryner scattered six hits over four innings as the Hawks (5-2) beat John Marshall, 12-5, on Thursday.
“I was really happy with how our team responded today,” UHS head coach Brad Comport said. “We got contributions from everyone on our roster so that’s always really good to see.”
UHS continued its early-inning run scoring on Thursday. So far this season, UHS is outscoring its opponents 27-5 in the first inning. The Monarchs (6-4) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first as Mason Markonich had an RBI groundout and Donovan Jones added an RBI double.
However, the lead was short-lived for John Marshall as UHS sent 10 hitters to the plate and scored five runs. Cash and Daniel Grabo each had two-run singles in the inning while the Hawks took advantage of five walks in the frame.
The Monarchs cut the lead to 5-3 in the second when Hayden Hughes had an RBI groundout that scored Cain Martin.
University finally broke the game open in the third inning as the Hawks scored seven runs while once again sending 10 hitters to the plate. Cash provided the big blast as he slugged a three-run homer and Riley Anderson added an RBI single. The Hawks also worked three walks in the third and took advantage of an error by the Monarchs.
“Max is finding his confidence,” Comport said of his young backstop. “He’s a really talented player and a really hard worker. I think it’s starting to click for him right now and exciting to see him come into his own.”
So far this season, the Hawks have used the same players in the first four spots of their lineup. The search for a No. 5 hitter has been a bit of a revolving door but Cash has grabbed the spot for now.
“I think I am seeing the ball really well right now,” Cash said. “I am standing on my back leg, keeping my hands up and driving down on the ball.”
While Cash provided the power for the UHS offense, it was Bryner who pushed through four innings to pick up the victory. He struggled early in the contest but found his command in the final two innings.
“James was up in the zone a little bit in the first,” Comport said. “He made some adjustments and did a really good job of battling and giving us some quality innings.”
Sophomore Devin Enos pitched the final three innings as he moved up from the junior varsity squad for the contest. He did not allow a hit and struck out one while surrendering two unearned runs.
Cash paced the offense as he went 2-for-3 with the five RBIs, Brodee Latocha, Anderson, Grabo, Mason McDonald and Thomas Croston each had one hit. UHS senior centerfielder Wenkai Campbell left the game in the first inning with a lower leg injury but was walking around after the game without any apparent issues.
Hughes led the Monarchs with two hits with Jones and Martin each adding a double.
By ERIC HERTER
BOX SCORE
University 12, John Marshall 5
JM 210 020 0 – 5 6 4
UHS 507 000 X – 12 6 2
JM – Martin 1 1 1 0, A. Harr 1 0 0 0, Hughes 4 1 2 1, Koontz 4 1 1 1, Markonich 2 0 0 1, Jones 3 1 1 1, Harrison 1 1 0 0, Clegg 3 0 1 0, Knapp 2 0 0 0, Coulter 1 0 0 0, Gaiser 2 0 0 0. Totals: 24 5 6 4.
UHS – Latocha 4 1 1 0, Chaney 2 2 0 0, Anderson 2 2 11, Campbell 0 1 0 0, Osborne 3 1 0 0, Cash 3 2 2 5, Jenkins 1 0 0 0, Grabo 4 1 1 0, McDonald 2 1 1 0, Vance 1 0 0 0, McDonough 1 1 0 0, Croston 1 0 1 0, McCune 1 0 0 0, Seggie 1 0 0 0. Totals: 26 12 6 6.
2B – Martin, Jones
HR – Cash
WP – Bryner 4ip, 6h, 3r, 3er, 4bb, 3k
LP – Knapp 2.2ip, 3h, 9r, 9er, 7bb, 3k.
