Fueled by last year’s disappointment, Spalding’s Caleb Estes became a champion and 2022 Capital Gazette baseball Player of the Year

A crushing 6-2 loss to Gilman in the 2021 MIAA A Conference championship game set the wheels in motion for the returning Archbishop Spalding baseball players.

It was a hard pill to swallow for the entire squad but proved to be the driving force behind this spring’s success. The Cavaliers compiled a 27-4 overall record and went unbeaten (17-0) in the MIAA A Conference.

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Spalding’s lineup was stacked, but leading the way was senior shortstop Caleb Estes, who provided leadership and motivation in the dugout and was the on-field general.

Estes batted .405 with 11 extra-base hits, 28 RBIs and 32 runs scored — pounding out six doubles, two triples and three homers. He was also outstanding defensively, posting a .924 fielding percentage with 50 putouts and 60 assists in 118 total chances.

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For that excellence, Estes has been named the 2022 Capital Gazette baseball Player of the Year.

“I couldn’t have done this without my coaches and teammates pushing me all year” and left no doubt the only goal was an MIAA A Conference championship,” Estes, a Maryland commit said. “I worked out seven days a week since we lost that championship game last year. It’s been a goal to not only perform on the field but get wins for the team too. Playing well and winning the championship… that’s the biggest thing I was excited about.”

Estes admitted he “didn’t have one of my better games,” during last year’s disappointing loss to Gilman and was determined to make amends. He delivered a clutch, bases-loaded double in the third inning of this year’s championship game against John Carroll. That tied the contest and sparked a rally that lifted the Cavaliers to a 7-2 victory and their fifth A Conference crown.

“It was a lot of motivation, especially not having my best game during that loss. I definitely didn’t want to repeat that for a second year in a row,” Estes said. “I just wanted to go out on top and I’m just glad that me and my teammates could do that.”

Spalding coach Joe Palumbo knew last year’s loss left a sour taste with all members of last year’s squad, but saw something different out of Estes throughout the offseason workouts and lifting sessions.

“Caleb’s probably as good as I’ve ever had at that position since I’ve been at Spalding,” Palumbo said. “He was kind of the heartbeat of our defense. He’s really talented, not only in making the routine plays, but also quite a few spectacular plays that saved us from big innings.”

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His maturity will bode well as Estes takes his skills to College Park, where he’ll join the reigning Big 10 regular season champions. Recruiting local talent is a big reason why the Terps are coming off their most successful season with a program-record 48 wins and their first conference title in more than a half-century.

“It’s always been a goal to play Division I baseball wherever I can and I found Maryland early on and that seemed like the home I wanted to be at for the next four years,” Estes said. “It’s really exciting but I know that I have a lot to prove to my new teammates and new coaching staff. If I want to play next year, I have to do that early on in the fall and prove myself that I belong on the field and in the starting lineup every day.”

Estes has a mentor playing at a high level in 2021 Capital Gazette Player of the Year and Severna Park graduate Jackson Merrill, now in his second season playing in the San Diego Padres organization.

“Last year, when Jackson got drafted, I was so happy for him. I used to play baseball with him back when we were a little younger. It was just unbelievable when he got his name called,” Estes said. “I’ve been talking to him and he’s been a great mentor. Just pushing me really hard in the offseason to get better.”

Palumbo, who has coached many players that have moved on to the next level, including current Maryland pitchers Noah Mrotek and Tyler Blohm, believes Estes has the tools to be successful in both college and possibly professionally.

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“To be honest, that’s going to be determined by how much he puts into today versus the first game next February. It’s really hard to start as a freshman in college, much less at a Top 25 program like Maryland nowadays,” Palumbo said. “He certainly has the ability. Coaches at that level are going to value defense and he plays a heck of a defensive infield. I think he is of the mindset that he’s going to embrace that opportunity and be ready when his chance comes.”

Chesapeake coach Jeff Young raises the championship trophy with players surrounding him following the team’s win over Towson during the 3A state baseball championship game in Waldorf on Saturday, May 28, 2022. (Brian Krista/Baltimore Sun Media)

Jeff Young, Chesapeake

Young was promoted from an assistant coach to replace Ken King, who stepped down following the 2021 season.

After a balanced group of teams atop the Anne Arundel County standings took turns knocking each other off, the Cougars earned the No. 2 seed in Class 3A South Region II. Chesapeake rolled over Pasadena rival Northeast, then James M. Bennett, Centennial, Thomas Johnson and finally Towson to capture the Class 3A state championship. It was the third state title in program history and the first since 2014.

“The seniors came together and put it all out there and turned it into a great year. Everything just fell into place and went well for us,” Young said. “The biggest thing about this team is they just worked. There was never a day at practice where they came and didn’t work hard. They were quiet and got the job done in a business-like manner.”

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Young attributed the tough schedule against Anne Arundel County foes as a way to battle-test his players for the playoff push.

“It’s been pretty exciting for a first-year coach. I was kind of nervous about having to handle all the paperwork and taking over that side of things,” Young admitted. “Now, I’ve been adding onto things that I didn’t really think about having to do. Like ordering rings and doing interviews. It’s been a crazy year.”

Churchill Bridgman, Southern, junior, pitcher

Bridgman posted a 6-2 record with a 0.93 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 53 innings. He was known for a calm demeanor and his penchant for getting stronger as the game went along.

Calvin Cook, Broadneck, sophomore, shortstop

Cook hit .449 with seven doubles, 12 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He set a single-season school record with 35 hits and also led the Bruins with 19 stolen bases. He posted a .538 slugging percentage and .955 fielding percentage.

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John Greenawalt, Arundel, senior, second base

Greenawalt was described as an “old school, throwback grinder” by head coach Frank Hood. He hit .440 with nine doubles, 21 RBIs and 34 runs. He also finished with 14 stolen bases.

Severna Park Falcons’ Luke Herz (12) gestures, believing that he was safe on a pickoff that ended the inning against the Sherwood Warriors during the MPSSAA Class 4A state final Fri., June 18, 2021. Sherwood took extra innings to halt the Falcons’ perfect season, 5-4 in eight innings. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) (Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun)

Luke Herz, Severna Park, senior, first base

Herz hit .377 with 11 doubles, 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored. He posted a .933 fielding percentage as the team’s starting first baseman and is set to play at Washington College.

Ty Jacoby, Old Mill, senior, pitcher

Jacoby was recognized by Anne Arundel coaches as one of the county’s top starters despite a modest record (2-2) this spring. Notched 59 strikeouts in 41 ⅓ innings and posted a 2.88 ERA.

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Chesapeake’s Nick Karls delivers a pitch to a Towson batter during the 3A state baseball championship game in Waldorf on Saturday, May 28, 2022. (Brian Krista/Baltimore Sun Media)

Nick Karls, Chesapeake, senior, pitcher

The ace pitcher for the Class 3A state champs posted a 10-0 record with a 1.05 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 66 ⅔ innings. He bated .365 with three homers and 15 RBIs and played solid defense at shortstop when not pitching.

Michael Martin, Southern, senior, outfield

Martin did not striking out once in 96 at-bats, hitting .439 with eight doubles, four triples and 30 runs scored. Played outstanding defense in center field and recorded four saves as the team’s closer.

Ethan McNally, Spalding, junior, catcher

McNally posted a .993 fielding percentage and threw out 65% of attempted base-stealers. He totaled 22 assists with three pickoffs and allowed only one passed ball in 144 innings. The James Madison commit hit .271 with 13 RBIs and scored 15 runs.

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Armand Ortiz, Key School, junior, pitcher

Ortiz went 9-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 44 ⅓ innings. He posted a .347 average with three home runs and 18 RBI. Also led the MIAA C Conference champions with 19 stolen bases.

Seamus Patenaude, Severna Park, junior, third base/pitcher

Patenaude batted .317 with five extra-base hits, 17 RBIs and 11 runs scored out of the clean-up spot. He was also a top pitcher for the Class 4A finalists, finishing with a 3.00 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 23 innings.

Brendan Phillips, Chesapeake, senior, first base/pitcher

The No. 2 starter during the regular season, Phillips became the team’s closer in the playoffs and earned saves in three of five games, including the state final. He hit .374 with 14 RBIs and went 3-1 with 36 strikeouts in 33 innings on the mound.

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Nick Pratt, Indian Creek, senior, catcher

Pratt led the league with a .461 batting average, 11 home runs and 36 RBIs. He also pounded out eight doubles. He threw out 25 of 32 attempted base stealers. A unanimous All-MIAA B Conference selection, Pratt will continue his career at UMBC.

Eddie Sargent, Spalding, senior, outfield/pitcher

The left-hander used a four-pitch mix to compile a 9-0 record with a 1.04 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 53 ⅔ innings. He sparked the offense with a .516 on-base percentage, leading Cavaliers with 30 runs scored.

Nick Stergiou, Broadneck, senior, first base

He posted a perfect fielding percentage at first base and hit .443 with seven doubles and 22 RBIs. On the mound, he went 6-1 with 41 strikeouts and just 11 walks in 35 innings.

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Spalding pitcher Parker Thomas throws in the first inning. The Spalding Cavaliers played the visiting Calvert Hall Cardinals in an MIAA Class A quarterfinals baseball game, May 19, 2022. (Paul W. Gillespie/Capital Gazette)

Parker Thomas, Spalding, junior, utility

Thomas was dominant on the mound in amassing an 8-0 record with a 0.36 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 38 ⅔ innings. The East Carolina commit batted .362 with five extra-base hits, 15 RBIs and 18 runs.

Corbin Warner, Arundel, senior, outfield

Warner hit .403 with 16 extra-base hits, including seven triples and three homers. He drove in 30 runs and scored 40, while drawing 22 walks.

Michael Bowles, Senior, Pitcher, Severna Park

Josh Ehrlich, Senior, Second Base, Broadneck

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Alan Fangman, Senior, Utility, Glen Burnie

Kyle Garrett, Senior, Outfield, Spalding

Riley Handwerger, Sophomore, Shortstop, Indian Creek

Thor Hildebrand, Junior, Pitcher, North County

Justin Knapp, Senior, Outfield, Southern

Jake Long, Senior, Outfield, Arundel

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Thomas Loughry, Senior, Third Base, Arundel

Kyle Lowman, Junior, Designated Hitter, North County

Colin McNabb, Junior, Catcher, Key School

Sean Murphy, Junior, Pitcher, Broadneck

Kevin Santos, Junior, Shortstop, North County

Cody Sharman, Junior, Pitcher, Spalding

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Brendan Sweeney, Senior, Catcher, Arundel