by Todd Hartshorn
Hereford
baseball coach
Although the Hereford baseball team has endured an up and down season, the Bulls appear to be at their peak entering Monday's Class 3A North Region playoffs.
Seeded fourth and playing host to Baltimore County rival Towson, the Bulls are led by senior co-captain David McEvoy.
McEvoy is overcoming injuries sustained from an auto accident in October that left him with back and neck injuries. McEvoy, nevertheless, has valiantly played through those injuries throughout the year.
Senior Rich Landa, the Bulls' other captain, also overcame injuries sustained in a collision against Catonsville.
Landa has provided the Bulls with key hits and guidance in many of theirs close games. The Bulls' regular record was 9-8, having been within striking distance of victory in nearly every outting except for an early-season, 13-1 loss to Parkville.
Senior Mitch Scheide has played several roles this year, both in the hitting order and defensively. Scheide has had to fill in at catcher due to an injured shoulder to Josh Begg, who was a projected All-County candidate. Scheide has the highest batting average on the team, as well as the second highest on base percentage for the Bulls.
Other key contributors are seniors Adam Yates, Buck Frisch, Rich Nodonly, Mike Schilling and sophomore Alex Dawson. Seniors Brandon May and Billy Pearson have pitched the majority of the innings this year, helping the Bulls to remain in games when their bats were quiet.
Over a 17-game schedule, the Bulls have played in five one-run games and played in four, extra-inning contests, including a 7-6, nine-inning loss in their second matchup opposite Parkville.
Sophomore Mike Merryman’s last three outtings were his strongest. This year's seniors have a history of playing ball together stemming back to when they were 6 year's old. That's when they traveled to Cooperstown while teammates in the Hereford Recreation Council.
Those seniors are comprised of McEvoy, Frisch, Scheide, Pearson and Yates. The bond that these young men share is strong and has helped this year’s team endure quiet bats and some difficult losses.
Statistical Leaders:
Batting
Seniors:
Player: AB R H 1B 2B 3B HR RBI TBB AVG SLG
Mitch Scheide 44 9 17 16 1 0 0 5 7 386 409
David McEvoy 44 16 16 10 6 0 0 4 10 364 500
Brandon May 45 5 14 10 4 0 0 8 2 311 400
Rich Landa 49 11 15 12 2 1 0 4 6 306 388
Juniors:
Tyler Slater 17 2 5 5 0 0 0 4 2 294 294
Sophomores:
Alex Dawson 24 3 7 6 1 0 0 2 4 292 333
Pitching:
Seniors:
Player: IP BAT RS ER BB SOL Hits W L AVG ERA Win % WHIP SO
Brandon May 40 157 10 8 15 12 24 4 2 174 1.40 667 .098 30
Bill Pearson 29 129 22 18 12 11 24 3 1 207 4.34 750 1.24 21
Sophomores:
Mike Merryman 22 109 9 7 14 7 18 1 0 198 2.19 1000 1.43 14
