Sparks Fly As Severn Thumps St. Frances, 13-1

By John Singleton

More than a week before Major League Baseball’s opening day, the Severn School baseball squad appeared in mid-season form with a 13-1 victory over St Frances on March 25. As a chilly wind whipped across Kinder Park and the sting of winter lingered in the air, Severn’s bats caught fire posting a 12-run second inning.

“The outlook is bright for Severn baseball this season,” explained head coach Hal Sparks. “We have eight returning starters and we’ll be relying heavily on them throughout the season.”

St Frances got on the board early, scoring a run in the first inning with three hits and two stolen bases. After the second inning it was all Severn as the Admirals Sam Meisenberg finished with two hits and two RBI’s, and pitcher Joe Kotler pitched four innings striking out six in route to his third win of the year. The victory was the fourth for Severn, which is undefeated thus far.

“Last season St. Frances handed us a tough loss that cost us the division championship and an automatic bye in the playoffs,” recalled Sparks. “We came back to beat them in the MIAA B playoffs, 8-7, to move into the semifinals.”

Centerfielder Ryan Boulier made the play of the day for Severn with a sliding catch in shallow left center and then made an accurate throw to second to double off the runner. Keenan Schlegel, a 6'3’, 195-pound sophomore finished up the game by pitching a scoreless 5th inning, striking out two while allowing one hit.

The team is led by senior co-captains Sam Wachs and Meisenberg. Wachs plays shortstop and is a relief pitcher. Last year he led the team with a .544 average, and 43 hits, including 10 doubles, three homers and 35 RBIs. Meisenberg, who batted .431 last season, will move to the leadoff position and catch.

Jake Ashworth is the cleanup hitter. He batted .533 last year, and plays right field where he did not make a single error last year. Nick and Ben Stringfellow are twin brothers who play both infield and outfield positions. Nick is the team’s first baseman and an overall good glove man. Sophomore Jack Treanor is the starting third baseman who won two games last year with key hits. Jacob Lantz will be a key relief pitcher.

“We have a chance to challenge for a championship this year if we play up to our potential,” summarized Sparks. “It’s a long season and it’s not that important where you start, it’s where you finish.”

The veteran coach should know because he has led numerous programs to success over the years, including Spotsylvania High School (VA state champions in 1970), Mount Saint Joe (MSA Champions in 1972, 75, 79 and 80) and UMBC to the NCAA Regional playoffs in 1977.

Sparks is an "old school" coach who plays "small ball" and stresses to his players that "if you can’t throw strikes you can’t pitch for us, and if you can’t bunt you can’t play at Severn."

With no JV program and less than 20 players trying out for the squad in a typical year, the climb upward has been remarkable under Coach Sparks’ leadership. In 2009, the Admirals won 14 games and in 2010 they won 17. In 2011 the expectations are even higher, as Severn will rely on nine seniors who have played varsity since their freshman year.