Hawks smash the Comets, roll to State 4A Championship 6-0 behind nine strikeouts from Scott Mitchell

Scott Mitchell capped off his amazing high school career Friday night, tossing a two-hit shutout and carrying South River to a 6-0 victory over Catonsville at Ripken Stadium - Aberdeen in seven innings. 

Mitchell, who struck out nine, improved to 8-0 on the season -- and also had two doubles and two RBIs in the biggest game of his burgeoning career.  

The Hawks amassed nine hits, including 5 extra base hits, with the big blow coming from Connor Cox in the third, as he drove in the game winning RBI with a double to right.  Kyle Canavan, who had doubled earlier in the inning, came around to score on Cox's blast.

The Hawks had two-run rallies in the fourth and the sixth. In the fourth, Jake Gratz led off with a single and Nick Raimondo doubled.  Jake Donaldson, running for catcher Gratz, scored on an error on an Austin Wright grounder. Canavan then smacked a sacrifice fly that plated Raimondo.

In the fifth, Mitchell led off with a double, advanced on Craig Sheridan's fly and scored on an infield hit by Brody Raimondo.

In the sixth, pinch hitter Kyle Leonard walked, Gabe Vertucci reached on an error, and both scored on Mitchell's double to right.

Nick Raimondo had an astounding diving catch in center in the third to pace the Hawk defense.

Catonsville only threatened in the sixth, but Mitchell induced a grounder back to the mound.  In the seventh, he struck out the final Comet batter, securing the Hawks first Championship in 30 years!

The Hawks finished the season 20-5.