Lansdowne Baseball in Search of Some Respect

After an appearance in the state finals a year ago and an 11-2 start—including a sparkling 10-1 division record—in 2012, varsity baseball is establishing themselves as a formidable power in Baltimore County.

En route to outscoring their opponents a combined 108-32 this season, the Vikings have figured out how to jump out on teams early, come back when need be to secure leads late and step up defensively to shut the proverbial door.

One thing Lansdowne cannot comprehend, however, is what it’s going to take for them to get recognition from local media outlets who, despite the Vikings blistering start, have left them out of their rankings time and time again.

But, rather than sulk over feeling left out, Lansdowne is taking what they feel is a lack of respect, and using it to fuel their fire. In fact, that’s what they’ve been doing all season long.

“It’s really motivation for our team. We look at [the polls] and we’re nowhere to be found,” said junior pitcher Sam Warfield, a vital cog in last year’s playoff run.

“It’s tough. We played really well last year and I felt we were going to come in this year and be a little more recognized, but we really weren’t.”  

With Lansdowne losing seven players out of their starting nine from last year’s squad, poll makers for the Baltimore Sun’s Top 15 metro rankings and Varsity Sports Network’s “Top 20” explained to Vikings head coach Matt Kohel that his team simply wouldn’t have the firepower to warrant a spot in their preseason rankings. 

But, after the Vikings improved to 10-1 following a 10-9, extra inning win over Hereford—a school ranked in both publication’s polls—Kohel and his players assumed they would finally crack the list.

When the dust settled, they still found themselves on the outside looking in.

“All we’ve done is win our games handily,” Kohel said. “I don’t know what else we can do.”

Aside from Warfield, first baseman Brad Childress and No. 2 pitcher/second baseman Ryan Miller, all of whom played key roles on last year’s squad, Kohel’s replenished roster consists of mostly juniors and seniors who either held reserve roles on varsity or helped comprise an 8-4 JV squad a year ago.

One of the biggest contributors has been pitcher/third baseman Kevin Crawford, who is hitting a scorching .533 with two home runs and 13 RBI on the season. The senior delivered the game-tying hit to force extra innings and picked up the win in relief in that momentous win over Hereford. 

Crawford, Warfield, Miller and junior Joey Kramer—who boasts the best earned run average (1.84) of the four in his 19 innings of work—have combined to provide a deep stable of arms for the Vikings this season.

The one true constant in the field has been junior shortstop Dylan Higgins, who Warfield singled out as being one of the main reasons the Vikings have performed so well defensively.

After losing their entire outfield from 2011, juniors Chris Shek and Markise Williams in right and center field, respectively, and senior Dave Ridenour in left, have patrolled the foul lines, the gaps and everything in between.

And, taking the place of four-year starter Brian Kummerlowe behind the plate, catcher Mario Cellini has seamlessly transitioned from JV to varsity, helping guide his pitching staff to a 2.50 combined ERA while hitting a more than solid .400 at the dish.

More so than sheer numbers or production alone, Kohel has been amazed at the amount of confidence his team brings in to every game.

“To be able to come back and go out there and win games is what has impressed me most,” said Kohel, in his sixth season at Lansdowne.

“They play together as a team and they don’t get on each other. When one makes a mistake the other one picks up for it. I think they’re confident and they’re molding themselves much like last year’s team. I think last year’s team helped this year’s team learn how to do that.”

Much like the 2011 squad, which in the Class 1A State Championship, these Vikings are primed for another run and are as focused as ever to prove the doubters wrong and truly put the Lansdowne name on the map for good. 

“Once the game starts just everybody puts themselves in the zone,” Crawford said. “All we want to do is win and make our way back to the state championship. That’s what’s on everybody’s mind.”

Maybe then they’ll get a little respect.