A.J Palumbo Leads Offense in Doubleheader Split Against Harford Community College

Catonsville, MD – The Cardinals split their doubleheader on Tuesday against the Harford Fighting Owls. They were able to take Game 1 by a score of 7-5, but Harford fought back in Game 2 for an 8-4 win.

Game 1

The scoring started early for both teams in Game 1. The Fighting Owls tallied a run in each of the first two innings, but the Cardinals responded both times with two runs in the first and three runs in the second.

By the sixth inning, the Cardinals had extended their lead to 7-3, but Harford kept battling in the seventh inning. After Harford scored two runs, Bryson Prietz was eventually able to hold off the rally to secure the win.

The middle of the lineup did the most damage for the Cardinals. Nelson Grajales and A.J Palumbo continued to do what they'd done all season by driving in all seven of their runs. Grajales reached base three times and drove in three runs, while Palumbo tallied two hits and four RBI.

It was a collective effort by the pitching staff with three pitchers combining for the win. Joey Hurtado started the game and pitched the first three innings, allowing three runs. Dominick Venta followed Hurtado with three shutout innings, scattering six baserunners in the process. The game was finished off by Bryson Prietz who allowed two runs in his one inning of work.

Game 2

Game 2 was a tough loss for the Cardinals. After getting off to a hot start with four first inning runs, the offense went cold the rest of the way. Harford battled back with three runs in the first two innings but really pulled away in the later innings.

Trailing 4-3 entering the sixth inning, the Fighting Owls tacked on four runs in the sixth and one run in the seventh to put away Game 2. Titus Shay was fantastic in relief for Harford, pitching the last four innings allowing zero runs. He stranded three baserunners and struck out six Cardinals in his outing, leading to his third victory of the season.

A.J Palumbo had another nice game for Catonsville, going 3-3 with a run scored. Lyonel Barthelemy and Damir Simon supplied the rest of the offense, each driving in two runs.