The Saint Paul's Crusaders continue to gain ground in the MIAA A Conference playoff picture, as they improved to 9-5 in the conference with a 9-1 win over McDonogh on Thursday.  The Crusaders got doubles from Tyler Springs, Colby Roane and Austin Crabill, and a three-bagger from Brian Prater in a 16 hit barrage.

Collin Majev went six strong innings to get the win and Chris DelVecchio pitched a scoreless seventh. They combined to hold the Eagles to four hits.  The Eagles got a pair of doubles from Mike Schuster and Pat Spearman.

McDonogh starter Sam Crystal took the loss.

The up and coming Crusaders get a shot at Calvert Hall when the Cardinals visit on Saturday. The Hall suffered their second straight defeat on Thursday, falling to Loyola, 11-8.  Saturday's match-up has strong playoff implications, since the first two teams in the conference draw a first round bye.

St. Paul's 9, McDonogh 1
SP    120 123 0 -  9  16  0
McD  000 100 0 -  1   4   8
2B: SP-Springs, Roane, Crabill; McD-Schuster, Spearman.
3B: SP-Prater.
WP-Majev   LP- Crystal