HAGERSTOWN — The Connersville Spartans opened the 2026 varsity baseball season on the road Tuesday, falling 5-3 to the Hagerstown Tigers after a five-run third inning shifted the momentum.
The Spartans started fast in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Parker Flanigan singled and moved up on a Noah Pattersonbase hit. Following a double steal, Zaine Bentley doubled to left-center field to drive in the first two runs of the season.
Gavin Brannon started on the mound for Connersville and held the Tigers scoreless through the first two frames. The Spartans added to their lead in the second after Flanigan reached on an error and scored on another Patterson single to make it 3-0.
Hagerstown changed the game in the third inning. The Tigers plated five runs to take a 5-3 lead and chase Brannon from the game. Reliever Jay McMullen entered and provided 3.1 innings of scoreless relief to keep the Spartans within striking distance, but the Connersville bats went cold against Tiger left-hander Nolan Cheeseman.
Cheeseman shut out the Spartans from the third through the sixth innings, stranding multiple runners in scoring position.
In the seventh, Bentley kept the game alive with a two-out single to center field, bringing the tying run to the plate. However, Braden Keller struck out looking to end the contest.
The Spartans (0-1) will look to bounce back Wednesday afternoon when they host the Richmond Red Devils for their home opener.
Hagerstown 5, Connersville 3
CHS: 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 3
HAG: 0 0 5 0 0 0 X — 5
Top Performers:
- Zaine Bentley: 2-RBI Double, Single
- Noah Patterson: 2 Singles, RBI, 2 Stolen Bases
- Parker Flanigan: Single, 2 Runs, Stolen Base
- Jay McMullen: 3.1 IP, 0 ER in relief
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