A play not often seen sparked No. 2 Calvert Hall, as the host Cardinals defeated No. 1 Archbishop Spalding, 7-2, yesterday in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference tournament.
Shortstop Patrick Blair's straight steal of home sparked a four-run first inning, and Kevin Lingerman threw a three-hitter as the three-time defending champions advanced to the final at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cal Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.
After Blair singled in a run in the first inning, he reached third and the bases were loaded, with Spalding starter Paul DeVito using a windup. Blair told third base coach Brooks Kerr he could steal home on the left-hander.
"We looked at each other and smiled when we saw him go from the windup," said Blair, who also tripled in the game.
"I told him I could make it, and after Joe [Robak, a left-handed hitter] struck out, [Kerr] told Evan Cain to fake bunt, and we executed it well. It kind of deflated them a little bit. We wanted to set the tempo. I really get excited for Spalding because they've been our rival the last couple years."
After Blair's steal, which also enabled the other two runners to advance for what was a triple steal, Cain hit a double to right-center to score two more runs and make it 4-1.
The Cardinals (25-7) took this year's first game, 12-5, and Spalding won, 10-3, at Calvert Hall in the second game.
"Pat's steal of home was huge," Cardinals coach Lou Eckerl said. "That gave us the momentum."
Calvert Hall, the top seed in the double-elimination tournament, would have to lose twice -- on Wednesday and, if that happens, on Thursday -- for there to be a new champion.
Second seed Spalding (27-7) fell into the losers bracket and will play at home Monday for the right to play Calvert Hall at Ripken Stadium. The Cardinals are trying to match their 1988-91 teams that won four straight.
Yesterday, the Cavaliers, whose three hits were doubles, scored in the top of the first on a fielder's choice by Cody Hines after Jeff Kemp's double sent Adam Summerfeldt to third.
pat.omalley@baltsun.com