Last Thursday’s loss to the Bethesda Big Train ended the Southern Maryland Senators season. Although the season did not end exactly the way we had hoped, the team had multiple accomplishments in year two. 

 

This season was the second year the Senators participated in the Cal Ripken Summer Collegiate Baseball League (CRSCBL). Last season, they made the playoffs as a sixth seed but fell to the Cropdusters 8-0 and ended with a 14-22 record.

 

Within the first week of the season, the Senators were over .500 with a 4-3 record. They started off the season strong with a 6-3 win over the Cropdusters. 

 

This season also brought two stellar all-stars for Southern Maryland.

 

Outfielder Carter Groen (UConn) was undoubtedly a star for Southern Maryland this season. He led the CRSCBL in home runs with nine in the regular season and tallying one in game one against the Aces. Groen led the team in RBIs (24), batting average (.347), and OPS (1.153).

 

In addition to Groen, another player who led the way for Southern Maryland is another outfielder, Nathan Brewer (Middle Tennessee). This season, Brewer led the Senators in stolen bases with 14, was second in batting average (.331), and tallied the most hits on the team with 40.

 

With the last week of the season approaching, the Senators were unsure if they were going to make the playoffs. They had to compete between the DC Grays and the Metro South County Braves. On July 16th, the Senators were able to escape with a 4-2 victory against the Grays, putting them in second place. 

 

With a doubleheader the next game, they were able to steal one of two games from the Cropdusters, clinching a playoff spot and the fourth seed on the last day of the regular season, ending the regular season with a 16-20 record. 

 

Southern Maryland's biggest accomplishment this season is its post-season run. They faced off against the Cropdusters and demolished them 14-4 in the play-in round, collecting its first win ever in the post-season.

 

Soon after, they faced the regular season champions, the Alexandria Aces in a best-of-three series. In two games, they swept the Aces, making a statement in game two, shutting out Alexandria in a 9-0 win. 

 

With three wins in a row, this led Southern Maryland to Shirley Povich Field to face a red-hot Bethesda team. That is where the season ended, as the Senators got swept in the championship, ending their season. The Senators are the only team in the CRSCBL to make the championship in their second season in the league. 

 

This summer Coach Scott Middleton earned his 150th summer collegiate win as a head coach. 

 

The Senators are thankful to all of the fans, players, coaches, sponsors, host families, interns, trainers, and so many more that came out to support us throughout this season. We would not have made it this far without your support. We will see you next season!