The 2024 JV season of Sidwell Friends Baseball got off to a good start on a cloudy and cool afternoon at the ballpark, facing off against the neighboring Bulldogs of St. Albans School.

Always the gracious hosts, the home team Quakers spotted the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning, but came back with a fury in the bottom half, plating four runs on three hits to turn a quick deficit into a 4-2 lead. Starting the scoring for this year was designated hitter and leadoff bat Owen Liu-Bailey, trotting home after a line-drive single from shortstop Tommy Levy. After another few runs were awarded on balks, starting pitcher Cody Encarnacion would end the busy first inning with a barrel to center, plating classmate and third baseman Daniel Piho.

Encarnacion would work four innings of tough Bulldog hitters, relying on big plays Piho, gloving up everything hit his way, along with second baseman Jack Ewers, ending a Bulldog threat in the third with an unassisted double play. After Encarnacion’s day was done, starting catcher Stephen Koopersmith would team up to call a great game with the ultimate teammate and utility player, Ari Gedan, pitching to contact and preserving the tight contest in the later innings. With the game tied at 5-5, both defenses would not break, with darkness ultimately ending the game in a tie after seven full innings.

The Quakers welcome the start of daylight savings and visiting Crusaders from Riverdale Baptist School at the friendly confines (of Sidwell) on Tuesday.