Published: August 15, 2008 12:17 am      

Down to the wire, Washington prevails

Maryland State had Washington on the ropes, leading by a run with two outs in the top of the ninth at Greater Johnstown Middle School field on Thursday.

But a routine pop-up to shallow right was misplayed and the McLean Raiders went on to get the gamewinner, and more, in an 8-5 victory over the Columbia Reds, eliminating Maryland State from the 64th AAABA Tournament.

Washington’s Taylor Buran hit what appeared to be the third out. But some miscommunication on the pop-up by Reds second baseman Brian Davila and right fielder Brady Baxter put Buran on second.

From there, things really started unraveling for Maryland State (2-2).

Washington designated hitter Cassidy McDaniel (2-for-4) doubled home Buran to tie the game at 5 and scored the eventual gamewinner on a Daniel Lopez single to center.

“They had the second baseman camped under it and the right fielder called him off. It just worked out for us,” said Lopez, who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three stolen bases. “We got a runner in scoring position and got a big hit – two big hits.”

Brandon Padula (2-for-4) chased home Lopez, who stole second base, with a single to right that again was mishandled, allowing Padula to touch them all.

Reliever Daniel Tillman, who allowed one hit over 21⁄3 innings, had a perfect ninth to secure the win.

“We haven’t quit all year,” Washington manager Eric Smith said. “Taylor got a lucky break with the ball dropping in right. An inch either way and our season’s over.”

Washington (2-1) got to Maryland State starter David Lanier for two runs in the first.

Chris Duffy and Greg Bachman each had an RBI.

Maryland State answered with two runs in the home half of the first. The Reds touched up Washington starter Tyler Sanders for three hits in the inning, including Jamie Jiron’s two-RBI single to shallow left field.

“I’ve asked them to compete, and not be afraid to compete, and they’ve done that,” Maryland State manager Paul Donovan said. “It just didn’t work out (Thursday).”

Sanders gave up three hits and struck out seven in six innings.

Washington took a one-run lead in the third inning when Lopez scored on a Lanier balk.

Maryland State got to Michael Manfro, who replaced Sanders to start the seventh, for three runs to take a 5-4 lead.

Brady Baxter, Luke Sawyer and Austin Knight each scored. Josh Winter’s two-RBI single to left highlighted the inning.

“We got the first guy on and that was kind of like a little spark,” Donovan said. “It regenerated us. Then we were one out away.”