Jimmy Perez Drives In 4 To Lead CCBC Essex Past CCBC Catonsville

Rosedale, MD — Sophomore Jimmy Perez (Queens, NY / High School for Arts and Business) powered CCBC Essex past CCBC Catonsville, driving in four runs on one big swing — a grand slam in the fourth inning — to lead the Knights to a 14-1 victory on Thursday at CCBC Essex.

CCBC Essex wasted no time jumping on the board in the first inning. Freshman Connor Bailey (Salisbury, MD / Parkside) singled down the right field line, and sophomore Rafael Castillo (Queens, NY / High School for Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture) followed with a two-run homer to left field, giving the Knights an early 4-0 lead.

Sophomore Eduardo Zayas (Cidra, PR / Bilingual Education School at Cidra) grounded out to extend the lead to 5-0 in the second inning.

The Knights piled on in the third inning. Sophomore Hiyu Ota (Sammu Chida, Japan / Chiba Prefectural Naruto Senior HS) singled home a run, and an error allowed two more to cross the plate, making it 8-0.

The offensive explosion continued in the fourth as CCBC Essex scored six more runs on three hits. Freshman Lorenzo Rodriguez Pozo (Orlando, FL / Lake Nona) singled in a run, sophomore Maxwell Urena (Brooklyn, NY / Christ the King) drew a bases-loaded walk, and Perez capped the inning with his grand slam to right field.

Freshman Drew Rommel (Fallston, MD / Fallston) earned the win for CCBC Essex, tossing five innings while allowing only two hits and one unearned run, striking out two and walking one. Chase Becker took the loss for Catonsville, allowing six runs on three hits in just 1.1 innings. Tapia Melo started for Catonsville, giving up three hits and five runs (four earned) in two innings.

Bailey led CCBC Essex with two hits in two at-bats, while Urena paced the team with three walks. The Knights were disciplined at the plate, drawing seven walks overall and stealing three bases.

Palumbo and Jake Long each recorded one hit for Catonsville, with Palumbo driving in the lone run for the Cardinals.

With the win, CCBC Essex improves to 23-23 overall and 21-15 in Region 20 play. The Knights closed the season series against CCBC Catonsville trailing 3-1.

CCBC Essex will travel to face the AACC Riverhawks in their next Region 20 matchup on Sunday.