4A BASEBALL STATE FINAL CAPSULE

When: 4 p.m., Friday Where: Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen Road to final: Urbana seems to have found another gear in the playoffs. The Hawks have outscored the opposition 33-6 through four playoff games on their way to their second straight state final and third in the last four years. In Tuesday’s state semifinal in Rockville, fourth-seeded Urbana shut out top-seeded Broadneck 5-0. Similarly, Dulaney has sailed through five playoff games so far by a combined score of 54-8. The Lions’ 2-1 victory Tuesday over Walt Whitman in the state finals was (see BASEBALL B2)

Urbana’s Ryan Yagesh Staff photo by Ric Dugan

(Continued from B1)

the first time they had been held under double-digit runs in these playoffs. Dulaney is back in state final for the first time since back-to-back trips in 2000 and 2001. The Bruins were in the state semifinals as recently as 2021 and 2022.

Both schools are in search of their first state titles in baseball.

Top players: Urbana — Kayden Lipscomb, senior, shortstop; Billy Swaney, senior, right fielder; Evan Zarroli, senior, pitcher; D.J. Staub, senior, catcher; Jake Allen, senior, center fielder. Dulaney — Drew Ranck, senior, pitcher; Dylan Park, freshman, third baseman; Dylan Townsend, senior, first baseman.

Outlook: After coming very close in recent seasons, can Urbana finally do it? Can the Hawks erase any doubts and fling the monkey off their backs to finally capture that elusive first state title in baseball? With a capable pitching staff and no obvious outs in a powerful lineup, they believe they finally have the team to do just that. The Hawks can’t afford to take Dulaney lightly.

But they have been on this stage much more recently than the Lions. Will their advantage in experience pay dividends for the Hawks and play a role in the final outcome?

— Greg Swatek