HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — In a game that played to a similar script from their first meeting of the season, Morgantown received an impressive pitching performance from Maddox Boggs to defeat Cabell Midland. This time, the No. 2 Mohigans prevailed on a much larger stage with a 2-0 win over the Knights in the Class AAAA quarterfinals.
Boggs posted a two-hit shutout victory over the Knights on April 1 in the Highlander Classic at Jack Cook Field. In the state tournament opener, Boggs tossed a five-hit shutout to lead the Mohigans to Semifinal Friday. Boggs walked just one batter and struck out five.
“He is just a competitor. I think when it gets down to it, he is a guy we just give the ball to and you let him drive the bus for us,” said Morgantown head coach Pat Sherald. “He is going to go out and compete. I make the joke that on game days, he would rather punch you in the face than say hello to you. He is a great kid but he is the ultimate competitor for us.”
The only runs of the game came on the same play in the third inning. Koa Silvers delivered a two-out, two-run triple to score Kai Henkins and Mason Bowers, giving MHS a 2-0 lead.
“That was just a heavyweight fight for seven innings. Fortunately, we were able to come up and get a big hit out of Koa Silvers in that situation to get two runs. Really, really proud of our guy’s effort. It is a shame one team has to lose that game. That’s a hell of a team right there that competed with us.”
Staked to an early lead, Boggs navigated through the Midland lineup three times, stranding two runners on base in the first, third and fourth innings. Behind Boggs, MHS played error-free baseball.
“We are very athletic on the infield with [Brayden] Gorby, and Henkins and Silvers. Silvers made some great plays for us today and he came up with that big hit. We are fortunate to have some athleticism.”
Morgantown (30-5) will face the Hurricane/Martinsburg winner in the second Class AAAA semifinal Friday evening.
Owen Maynard went the distance on the hill for CMHS (20-16). He allowed five hits and struck out six batters.