Severna Park 9U Green Team Captures 10U Conference Championship

As the only 9U team competing in the Anne Arundel Baseball Cooperative 10U National League, the Severna Park Green Hornets spent the season defying expectations and finished it by bringing home the league championship.

After finishing second in the conference during the regular season, Severna Park turned in a dominant postseason performance, going undefeated in the conference tournament and winning two games by mercy rule, including an 18-5 victory over Lake Shore's 10U team in the championship game.

The Green Hornets' offense was nearly unstoppable throughout the tournament, averaging 18 runs per game while allowing six runs per contest.

The team's success was reflected in the all-tournament team selections, which are voted on by opposing coaches. Severna Park placed two players on the prestigious squad: Carter Carroll and Kit O'Dell.

Carroll delivered an outstanding weekend at the plate, batting .800 with four triples, five RBIs and seven runs scored. O'Dell was equally impressive, hitting .900 with two triples, 10 RBIs and nine runs scored. He also hit for the cycle in one game, accomplishing the rare feat in just four plate appearances.

The Green Hornets received contributions from throughout the roster. During Saturday's pool play, Rhodes Metzger pitched three strong innings in the opening game, while Nathaniel Clause followed with a one-hit performance and five strikeouts in the second game. Asher Kunkel added a home run, and Jacob Lewis recorded a single, double and triple during the day's action.

In Sunday's championship game, John Bass threw all four innings of the mercy-rule shortened contest, striking out three batters while keeping Lake Shore's offense in check. Offensively, every Green Hornet crossed home plate at least once. Jay Watson highlighted the attack with a home run, while Jack Logue, Padraig Murray, Nathan Anderson and Cooper Wallace combined for three hits, four walks, five runs scored and three RBIs.

The championship run capped off a season of growth and perseverance for a team that embraced the challenge of playing up an age division all year long.

"I couldn't be prouder to have coached this group of boys," said head coach Steve Metzger. "They never backed down from the challenge of playing up all season, and their hard work, determination and resilience paid off in a big way. As impressive as their accomplishments were on the field, what stood out even more was the way they treated one another. They genuinely loved playing together, supported each other through every success and setback, and never tore a teammate down. There were no bullies, no egos, and no players putting themselves above the team. They embodied what it means to be a true team, and that is something far more valuable than any trophy they brought home."

The Severna Park 9U Green Team is coached by head coach Steve Metzger and assistant coaches Scott Clause, Ryan Logue, Mark O'Dell, Matt Anderson and Matt Lewis.