Harju’s Heroics Propels Cougars To Victory Over Skipjacks

FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick Community College third baseman Brady Harju is putting together quite a freshman campaign. Harju did it at the plate and scored the game-winning run as the Cougars defeated Chesapeake College 5-4 in MD JUCO conference action. WIth today's victory, this marks the 12th straight season of 32 or more wins for FCC baseball.

You hang it, he will bang it! That is exactly what Brady Harju did as he deposited his sixth long ball of the season on a hanging breaking ball off of Chesapeake starter Ty Michaud in the first frame, giving FCC a 2-0 advantage. The Skipjacks would tie the contest up at 2-2 in the top of the 4^th and would eventually take a 4-2 lead on a Tyler Galazin two-run homer in the top of the 5^th inning.

FCC would claw their way back into the contest by scoring a run in the bottom of the 5th as Brayden Lackey grounded out to 1^st base scoring  Deandre Johnson making the score 4-3. Heading into the bottom of the 6^th, this is when the game got really interesting. Jett Manning and Brady Harju both drew walks and Alex Aristy would get a base knock scoring Manning tying the game up at 4-4. Thomas Gonzalez was up next and grounded out, advancing Harju to third. The play of the game came next! An acrobatic leap by Harju on a wild pitch was the difference as the go-ahead run.

The Cougars had just four hits, however, FCC starting pitcher Kyle Raubenstine turned in a gutsy performance. The righty twirled five innings giving up just four hits while striking out five batters. David Tiskevics pitched the final two inning giving up one hit and picked up the victory. Tiskevics improves to 3-1 on the season.

Hats off to FCC shortstop Jett Manning. He was throwing some leather around on defense and made some highlight reel plays leading the Cougars to victory.

Prior to the start of today's game, the FCC baseball program celebrated Student Veteran's Day as we honored those who gave of themselves to serving our country. A special thank you to Rachel Nachlas (Director of Veteran Services) and Jim Lichtinger (Advisor) for assisting with organizing this wonderful event.

FCC Student Veterans:

Rafael Garcia
David Valenciabonilla
Zach Myers    
Peggy Trujillo 
Fernando Trujillo       
Selina Danis   
Raymond Becraft       
Nick Fischer    
Alex Bowers   
Jonathan Alexander   
Kortney McCollough