Three days ago, the Southern Maryland Senators won their first playoff game in team history. Last night, they swept the regular season champions to move on to the League Championship Series, shutting out the Alexandria Aces 0-9.

 

In the first inning, first baseman Ian Kennedy hit an RBI double to score right fielder Carter Groen, giving the Senators the 1-0 lead. 

 

Southern Maryland struck back in the fourth as designated hitter Nate McHugh stepped up to the plate and slammed a home run, his second of the season.

 

Soon after, third baseman Mikey Guy stole second base, then advanced to third and home after an error and a wild pitch. 

 

In the sixth inning, the Senators went on a wild run. Guy hit an RBI double to right field, scoring Kennedy. Next, catcher Braeden Purser-Eber hit an RBI single, scoring Guy. Then, shortstop Sylas Boris hit an RBI single, bringing home Purser-Eber. 

 

Three more runs would come in for the Senators after left fielder Nathan Brewer hit a two-run RBI single, and Kennedy hit an RBI single to left field, leading them to the 9-0 win. 

 

The Senators ended the game with nine runs and ten hits, while Alexandria only earned two hits from left fielder Sam Robertson and shortstop JP Peltier. 

 

This win is a significant accomplishment for Southern Maryland. Last year was the Senators' first year in the league. They were 14-22 in the regular season, holding the sixth seed in the playoffs and exiting in the first round. Now, Scott Middleton’s crew is heading to the championship for the first time in team history in its second year in the league. 

 

The Senators will play the winner of the Big Train-Giants semifinal series.