First baseman Chris Acker has had an outstanding season for the Raiders. His work with the bat and on the mound have been crucial assets to the team's successful 13-4 season.
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by Jim Bach

Rain cancelled Atholton's final regular season match-up against the Wilde Lake Wilde Cats this Wednesday, leaving the Raiders at a spectacular 13-4 mark and a second place spot in the division behind Hammond. The season is a welcome turnaround from last year's disappointing 4-17 campaign, and Atholton will need to continue their success this Friday when the road to the 3A State Championship begins.

The Raiders have taken a number 3 seed in the 3A East #3 rankings. Stephen Decatur High, who have had an excellent 16-0 season in the Bayside Conference have taken number 1, while DigitalSports no. 4 Baltimore Metro Ranked Fallston has secured the number two seed behind a 15-1 mark.

Atholton, who just missed a first round bye, will host Howard on Friday. In their last meeting, the Raider's won 13-1 in six innings with the help of fifteen hits; second baseman Jared Hand and first baseman Chris Acker each had three.

Other county opponents in the running include Wilde Lake and Reservoir. Additionally, the Patapsco Patriots are in the 3A North drawing at a number one seed. Patapsco holds a 13-1 record, with Atholton giving them their only loss in a no-hit outing by sophomore Kory Britton.

With the regular season at its end, Atholton had great individual performances up and down the line-up. The team has five hitters above the .300 plateau including Chris Acker (.389), Kory Britton (.367), Jared Hand (.349), Paul Beers (.346), and Wes Hand (.333), with Jake Yasenka not far behind at .298.

Atholton's pitching staff relied on their depth, with Jamie Williams (2.15 ERA, 29.1 innings pitched), Jonathan Thews (3.13 ERA, 22.1 innings pitched), and Britton (2.38 ERA, 17.2 innings pitched), combining for nine of the teams 13 wins. Britton, as well as pacing the offense, leads the pitching staff in strikeouts with 22.

With a powerful roster, the Raiders have a good chance of making a deep run at the 3A playoffs and bringing a state championship back to Atholton for the first time in seven years.

Click here to view Maryland State Baseball Playoff Brackets