The Laurel American Legion Post 60 baseball team started July in strong fashion, with a pair of wins that could not have been more different.

Laurel won, 13-0, on July 1 against Damascus as Kevin Kratochwill (Marriotts Ridge High) had a homer and five RBIs and Mitchell Smith (Marriotts Ridge) had a homer and four RBIs.

Nicholas Marinelli (Marriotts Ridge), Kratochwill and Smith each had two hits. Kratochwill was the winning pitcher as he threw five innings and fanned three batters.

The next day Laurel won, 6-5, with a run in the last of the eighth against Wheaton. Post 60 had six players with two hits: Matt Schmauder (Mt. Hebron), Kratochwill, Brody Tennant (Mt. Hebron), Marinelli, Rod Medoff (Mt. Hebron) and Danny Caddigan (River Hill).

Marinelli and Caddigan each had two RBIs and Schmauder, Marinelli and Caddigan each had a double. Tennant was the starting pitcher for Laurel and allowed five earned runs in 6.2 innings, with six strikeouts and four walks. Brandon Estrain (River Hill) pitched 1.1 innings and got the win.

Laurel improved to 11-8 overall with the two wins. Post 60 has been paced at the plate by Medoff, who had three homers, 31 RBIs and an average of .429 in his first 56 at-bats, and Kratochwill, who hit .521 with two homers and 24 RBIs in his first 73 at-bats. Smith hit .523 with three homers and 23 RBIs in his first 65 at-bats.

Laurel is slated to play July 9 at 5:30 p.m. at home at Olney Park against Sandy Spring. Opponents have not been determined for the following scheduled games: July 11 at 3 p.m. and July 12 at noon at home at Damascus Regional, and July 14 at 5:30 p.m. at home at Cabin John Park.

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