Frederick Keys’ Offense, Pitching Shine in 7-1 Win Over State College Spikes

The Frederick Keys, founding members of the Major League Baseball Draft League, used an early offensive onslaught to upend the State College Spikes, 7-1, Saturday before a packed crowd for Star Wars night at home at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.

The victory runs the Keys’ winning streak to five straight and improves their record to 9-5.

Frederick scored runs in each of the first four innings. In the first, they broke through when Brennan Orf (Southern Illinois, Evansville) stroked an RBI single through the left side of the infield.

The Keys’ biggest inning came in the second, where they scored three runs, including RBI base hits from the debuting pair of John Volpe (Rider College/N.J.) and Ariel Antigua (Trinity Christian Academy/Texas). Sandwiched in between them was an RBI knock from Tervell Johnson (Compton College/Calf.), who also proceeded to swipe two bases, bringing his season total to 10.

With two gone in the third inning, Logan Sanders (St Petersburg J.C./Fla.) launched a pitch to left center field for his first homer of the season, a two-run shot to make it 6-1 Frederick. 

After a two out Antigua double in the fourth, Jevin Relaford (Florida Southern) dropped an RBI single to left field to widen the Keys’ lead to 7-1.

That would be it for Frederick’s offense, as it would be more than enough thanks to a dazzling performance from starting pitcher Jordan Hamberg (Coppin State/Md.), who tossed three innings while striking out three hitters and permitting just one run on two hits.

Ryan Harrahill (Elkhorn North HS/Neb.) followed Hamberg with two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. He struck out a batter and fired an inning-ending double play ball in the fifth to help him even his record at 1-1.

Jayden Martin (Florence-Darlington Tech/S.C.), Nate Roof (North Greenville/S.C.), and Bryan Gomez (State College of Florida), combined to face one over the minimum in the final three frames. Martin and Roof both whiffed a pair, and Gomez closed out the game with a strikeout of his own.

The Keys will look to complete the sweep on Sunday over State College with a 1 PM start.

— Jerry Del Priore

Photo: Frederick Keys.