Battling injuries out of the gate of the young 2024 campaign, the hobbled Quakers of Sidwell Friends gave the Crusaders of Riverdale Baptist School a great game on a picture-perfect early-March afternoon.

After another nifty double-play by second baseman Jack Ewers to double-up the Crusaders in the top of the first inning, his second in as many games, third baseman Daniel Piho opened scoring in the leadoff spot of the home half, launching a towering blast over the new left field fence for the first Quaker homerun of the season. With good "juice" from the dugout, Sidwell wasn't finished scoring, with power hitting Alex Fagell singling out of the cleanup position and scoring shortstop Cody Encarnacion, notching an early 2-0 lead.

Starting pitcher Jake Levine would do all he could to keep the Crusaders off balance, working through three tough innings with hard hit balls in play to just about every field. Down 6-2 in the later half of the game, new catcher Encarnacion, showing off his arm from the behind the plate, would go on to pick off a pair of Crusader batters on the deal, as the depleted Sidwell squad did all they could to find outs wherever they could.

With daylight fleeting, Piho took over pitching duties from Levine to work through three more quick innings and keep the game close, but in the end it was three homeruns from the Crusaders that would make the difference with Riverdale ending up on top by a score of 8-3.

Despite the loss, the team stood up to the challenge and enjoyed the opportunity to soak up some early-season sun and will look to bounce back with a win on Friday at Landon.