Playing four games each of the past two weeks was not a problem for Frederick. Other teams might lack the pitching to keep up with such a deluge of games, but the Cadets simply turned to the next member of their rotation.
The last of those games, all victories as No. 5 Frederick improved to 8-0, was one of the Cadets' best. Junior Wesley Gross struck out 11 and allowed only one hit in a 2-0 victory over Westminster, giving the Cadets a three-game lead over the Owls and Urbana in the Monocacy Valley Athletic League Chesapeake Division.
"It was nice having the depth of that pitching staff," Coach Phil Rhodes said. "It certainly helped us get through that" stretch.
Gross's older brother, Billy, has allowed two earned runs in 27 innings. Seniors Mike Herald, Kyle Myers, Jesse Highling and Austin Vesper also have pitched well for an experienced team.
"We have nine seniors, and half have been starting since their 10th-grade year," Rhodes said. "We've built this team for this year."
-- Josh Barr
