Hot Start Fades in Baseball's Loss at Essex

ESSEX, Md. — The Anne Arundel Community College baseball jumped out early but could not keep pace as CCBC Essex pulled away for a 17-4 victory in Region 20 divisional play Thursday afternoon.

Anne Arundel (15-9, 7-5 R20) scored all four of its runs in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of three walks, two hit batters and a two-run single by Travis Fleshman. The Riverhawks had traffic on the bases early, but managed just four hits over the final six innings.

Ryan Jones led AACC at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, while Fleshman drove in two runs and added a stolen base. Camden Hodges and Matt Dove each drew a walk and were hit by pitches during the opening rally as Anne Arundel sent nine hitters to the plate.

CCBC Essex (12-2, 8-2 R20) answered immediately with an eight-run first inning, adding three runs in the third, two in the fourth and four more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Anne Arundel starter Dominic Wilder took the loss with seven runs (four earned), as the Riverhawks went on to use four more pitchers in the game.

Defensive miscues hurt Anne Arundel throughout the afternoon, as the Riverhawks committed three errors and allowed multiple runs on passed balls and wild pitches. Despite the struggles, Anne Arundel turned a double play in the second, and caught two runners stealing.

Anne Arundel looks to bounce back Saturday in a 12 p.m. Region 20 doubleheader at the College of Southern Maryland.