Mel Montgomery, Old Mill's veteran baseball coach, told his son, Zach Montgomery, the team's senior second baseman, before last night's Class 4A state final: "Let's go out in a blaze of glory."
They did, as Nick Couzantino was practically unhittable and was well-supported by his hard-hitting teammates as top-ranked Old Mill defeated No. 7 Perry Hall, 7-0, for the Class 4A championship at Joe Cannon Stadium in Harmans.
The Buchholz brothers, sophomore Alex and senior Matt, each had two hits for the winners, with the latter hitting a double and driving in one run. Alex had two RBIs, including one in a crucial three-run third off losing pitcher Jarrett Smith (6-2).
Tyler Young and David Campbell also doubled for the winners.
It was ironic that the final out of the game was a soft line drive to Montgomery at second.
"When Zach was 8 years old, he and I watched a video of Gregg Olson [former Orioles pitcher] and his dad, who was his high school coach, win a state championship together, " said the elder Montgomery.
"And before the game, his dad said, `Let's go out in a blaze of glory.' Zach and I talked about that this season and before last night's game, I said to him, `Let's go out in a blaze of glory.' Winning it with him on the team made it very special tonight."
Couzantino (8-0), a senior right-hander, used a sharp-breaking curve to overmatch the Gators (18-3). He set down the first nine batters to face him, striking out eight, on the way to an outstanding two-hitter with 11 strikeouts on exactly 100 pitches.
"It's a dream come true to win a state championship, because I've been watching Old Mill play since I was 7 years old," said Couzantino.
Despite being rained out since last Friday night, the Patriots (20-3) did not lose any edge as they coasted to their third state title; the last was in 1989 and the other in 1980.
Old Mill added to Anne Arundel County's Maryland-record number of state baseball crowns, recording No. 22 last night on a field that was in remarkable condition despite all the recent rain.
No. 3 Severna Park hopes to give Anne Arundel its 23rd title when it plays Patuxent for the Class 3A crown at 7 tonight at Cannon.
Last night belonged to Old Mill and Couzantino, who did not give up a hit until Ernie Lucas reached on an infield hit off the pitcher's glove in the fourth. Lucas' shot up the middle was knocked down by Couzantino, sprawling to the ground with his glove behind his back.
Couzantino's hurried throw to first was high and Lucas was safe. Casey Lowe's Texas Leaguer into right-center with one out in the fifth was the only other hit off Couzantino.
"He was definitely the best pitcher we faced all season, and they were the best team we played," said Perry Hall coach Elmer McCann.
"I told my kids to be proud of themselves. They got beat by a better team. We went a lot farther than anybody thought we could go."
PH 000 000 0 - 0 2 2
OM 130 012 x - 7 9 0
Smith, Breidenbaugh (6) and Libertini; Couzantino and Harvey. 2B: OM-Campbell, M. Buchholz, Young.
