MAUGANSVILLE An 8-0 deficit didnt stop Clear Spring against Maugansvilleon Fridayin the 11-12 District 1 losers bracket semifinal.

Six of those eight runs were credited to Spencer Wray on two home runs, including a grand slam. But Clear Spring answered with 12 straight runs to pull out the 12-9 victory and advance to todays losers bracket final at Conococheague.

Seven of those (12 runs) came with two outs. Thats remarkable, Clear Spring manager Brad Poffenberger said. These kids have heart and guts. That, as a coach, you cant teach. I cant give it to them, and I cant take it out of them.

Malakai Cunningham led Clear Spring with two home runs and four RBIs.

It took two innings for Maugansville to take the 8-0 lead. Wray homered in each inning, while John Blanco scored on an error in the first and Dylan Shoemaker had an RBI single in the second.

With one out in the bottom of the second Clear Spring cut the deficit in half as Hunter Oaks scored on a wild pitch and Cunningham and Keller Knode each hit home runs to make it 8-4.

Oaks and Caleb Younker tallied RBIs in the third before Cunningham blasted his second homer to left center that tied the game at 8-8. Nate Meyers broke the tie two batters later on an RBI double.

Honestly, when we got the big lead, I think some of them might have shut down thinking we had the game won, Maugansville manager Nick Shifler said. (Clear Spring) battled back and didnt quit. They ended up outplaying us in the end.

Clear Spring wasnt finished yet. Younker and Knode combined for three RBIs in the fourth to take a four-run lead.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Shoemaker drove in Maugansvilles ninth run on a fielders choice, before Cunningham closed out the win for Clear Spring with a strikeout.

I know the kids are bummed out and theyre really down, but I told them they have nothing to put their heads down about, Shifler said. They worked their way through the losers bracket and they made a good run at it. We had a lot of positive moments.

Im very proud of my guys. Theyre a real special group of kids. Its an honor and a privilege to be a part of this team and to coach them. In the long run, us as coaches just hope that we somehow make a positive impact on their lives.

Poffenberger was already looking forward to todays game against Conococheague.

Here we come Conococheague, he said. Hopefully well redeem ourselves against Conococheague over the years Ive coached. Hopefully its going to be a good game for everybody. This teams fired up and ready to go.

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'Heart, guts' are anatomy to Clear Spring's 11-12 win over Maugansville - Herald-Mail Media