College Commitments

As Severna Park resident Cody Sharman walked off the mound for the last time wearing Archbishop Spalding colors, the moment got to him. Spalding held the lead in the MIAA "A" Division semifinals against Calvert Hall, and he had done all he could to put the Cavaliers in position to defend their championship.

"It was kind of hard knowing it was over, but I knew I had given my guys the best chance to win that game and finish up the season strong," Sharman said. "It was sad for me, but I tried my hardest and think I left a good impression."

His teammates picked him up, as they had done for each other all season, as Spalding closed out the semifinal and then held Calvert Hall off again in the finals a few days later to win the title for the second year running.

This year was much more of a grind, Sharman said, compared to the previous season. Sharman helped a standout pitching staff lead the way, as he went 7-2 in his 10 starts, with a 0.85 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP. He struck out 60 batters while allowing just eight walks and tossed four complete games.

The balance of power pitcher and pitching to contact is a tough balance for anyone to muster, but the Cavalier defense freed Sharman up to be himself — which helped him manage all the pressure that comes with expectations of a state championship and performances from a NCAA Division I-caliber athlete.

"I was trying to pound the strike zone and trying to find ways to get guys out,” Sharman said. "I had confidence in the guys behind me, which allowed me to throw more creative pitches. That helped get my strikeout numbers up, and it gave us a good balance. I just tried to do my work every day and keep tunnel vision. Just trying to have fun while playing the game, because that's the most important thing."

For his standout performance in his senior season, Sharman was named to the South team's roster for the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game, played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 25.

Sharman was one of two local athletes named to the game. Broadneck pitcher Sean Murphy was also selected, while Bruins coach Matt Skrenchuk was named to the South team's coaching staff. Sharman also had his batterymate, Spalding catcher Ethan McNally, participating in the game.

"Really excited to be able to walk onto the hill at Camden Yards," Sharman said. "It's a place I've always wanted to play since I was a little kid."

While pitching at Oriole Park fulfilled a lifelong dream, it is by no means the end for Sharman, who has signed on to pitch at Seton Hall University. He committed to the Pirates early in the process, locking down his recruitment in the summer of 2021, just before beginning his junior year at Spalding.

"They really jumped toward me and showed a lot of interest in me, which made me feel good," Sharman said. "It feels like a good place for me, and I feel like I'll be able to do well there. It's a completely different staff other than the head coach, but I'm thankful that the new guys are just as amazing as the other guys (who did the recruiting). I'm going to give it my all up there and see where the game takes me."

While the dream of playing college, and maybe pro, ball is alive and well, Sharman credited his family — particularly his mother — with keeping him both grounded and motivated to continue kicking on.

"I wouldn't be who I am without her support," he said.

Sharman is one of about 60 local class of 2023 athletes who have committed to play collegiately, as reported to the Severna Park Voice. Here are the others:

2023 Local College Sports Commitments
(As reported to the Severna Park Voice)

BASEBALL

Nathan Clarke, Severna Park - Lebanon Valley College

Sean Murphy, Broadneck - Catholic University

Zach Palmer, Broadneck - CCBC-Catonsville

Cody Sharman, Archbishop Spalding - Seton Hall University

FIELD HOCKEY

Maya Everett, Broadneck - Maryland

Arden Hunteman, Broadneck - Salisbury University

Jess Kopernick, Broadneck - Stevens Institute of Technology

Safiya Stimely, Broadneck - St. Mary's College (Maryland)

FOOTBALL

Cam Catterton, Broadneck - Salisbury University

Machi Evans, Broadneck - Washington and Jefferson University

Anthony Hawkins, Broadneck - Villanova University

Tristan Newhouse, Severna Park - Fairleigh Dickinson  University

Tucker Smack - Salisbury University

Jake Wanner, Broadneck - Wilkes University

MEN'S LACROSSE

Kevin Bredeck, Severna Park - UMBC

Jake Chambers, Broadneck - Coast Guard Academy

Brooks Chatlos, Broadneck - Virginia Military Institute

Ryan Della, Broadneck - Salisbury University

Matthew Dryer, Severna Park - Aurora College

Jackson Elms, Severna Park - Limestone College

Colin Gray, Broadneck - Washington College

Brett Hussey, Severna Park - St. Mary's College (Maryland)

Talan Livingston, Severna Park - Salisbury University

Ryan Salazar, Broadneck - Randolph Macon College

Jackson Shaw, Broadneck - Christopher Newport University

Ashby Shepherd, Severna Park - Towson University

Evan Stroble, Severna Park - Mercer University

Camden Webb, Severna Park - Washington College

Nick White, Broadneck - Randolph Macon College

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Andrew Byrne, Broadneck - Juniata College

Michael Schwob, Broadneck - Penn State University

SOFTBALL

Skyla Hailey, Severna Park - Washington College

SWIMMING AND DIVING

Liam Cahill - La Salle University

Dean Doubek, Broadneck - Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Jack Harada, Broadneck –Maryland

Matthew Tilghman, Broadneck - Franklin and Marshall College

TENNIS

Elicia Aponte, Broadneck - Albright College

TRACK AND FIELD

Avery Arizzi, Broadneck - St Mary's (Maryland)

Stephanie Costello, Broadneck - Loch Haven University

Kameron Dove, Broadneck - Lincoln University

Collin Fitzgerald, Broadneck - St Mary's (Maryland)

Bryce Greenlee, Broadneck - Salisbury University

Safiya Stimely, Broadneck - St. Mary's (Maryland)

Aiden Vanderbilt, Broadneck - Queens College of Charlotte

WOMEN'S LACROSSE

Sophia Bordone, Severna Park - Embry-Riddle

Stella Bordone, Severna Park - Lafayette College

Emma Boyle, Severna Park - University of Alabama-Huntsville

Charlotte Diez, Severna Park - Villanova University

Lexi Dupcak, Broadneck - Maryland

Maddy Goger, Severna Park - Columbia University

Molly Goeller, Severna Park - York College

Carlie Gownley, Broadneck - Christopher Newport University

Lilly Kelley, Broadneck - James Madison University

Karli Kirchenheiter, Severna Park - University of Louisville

Sam Koppe, Severna Park - Salisbury University

Regan McDonnell, Severna Park - Salisbury University

Sophia Miller, Severna Park - San Diego State University

Mary Moore, Broadneck - Villanova University

Lilly Spilker, Severna Park - Penn State University

Olivia Tramontana, Severna Park - San Diego State University

Delany Turner, Broadneck - McDaniel College

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Sydney Holmes, Severna Park - University of Rochester

Sadie Wilkinson, Broadneck - Lipscomb University

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Bella Rubino, Broadneck - Salisbury University

Madeline Stewart, Broadneck - American University

Hanna Waters, Broadneck - McDaniel College

Jillian Zukley, Severna Park - St. Mary’s College of Maryland

WRESTLING

Liam DeBaugh, Broadneck - Frostburg State University