The Boys Varsity Baseball team beat the ever improving Andover Barrons, 5-4, on an eighth inning, bases loaded, walk for senior Keith Otterbein, boosting the Maples record 19-7, 12-3 in the division.
Currently they sit in second place in the OAA Central Division, two games behind first place, Farmington High School, and remain tied with cross-town rival Groves.
The game sat at a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning, before the Maples were able to produce offense, scoring three unanswered runs in the fifth inning.
After Otterbein and senior Jack Quigley drew walks, junior Derreck Amboyan hit a single, leaving the bases loaded for senior Bill Getschman, who was able to draw yet another walk to score a run, making the game, 2-1.
Junior Jay Gersonde singled in a Quigley run, followed by senior Kyle Eick hitting a deep double to the fence to make the game, 4-1.
After pitching five solid innings, Otterbein let in three runs in the sixth, allowing three walks, a grounded single, and a passed ball.
Andover was able to tack on another run off senior pitcher Eric Sherman in the seventh to send the game into extra innings.
Junior pitcher Bobby Willen took over on the mound and retired five straight batters, earning the win after Otterbein drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth.
“Keith Otterbein has been one of our best pitchers,” Getschman said. “[Greg] Schwartz and Quigley have also been stepping up a lot.”
Last weekend the Maples split two games in the Chuck Jones Tournament at their home field, losing to eventual tournament champ, Saline high school.
Previously, the Maples lost the three games of the week, to Stoney Creek, Farmington, and Royal Oak.
“That week was pretty rough for us,” Getschman said. “We had some close losses. Hopefully we can regroup before Districts. We’re definitely capable of being a very good team.”
The Maples will try to prove that this weekend at the Marysville Tournament, where they plan on improving their status as a league contender.
“We just need to keep confidence and keep doing the little things,” Sherman said.
