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Thomas Johnson would score three runs in the first two inning then hold on to their lead behind a gutsy performance from senior RHP Tyler Rhoderick as the Governor Thomas Johnson Patriots defeated the Huntintown Hurricanes 3-2 in the 3A State Championship.

The Patriots struck early in this game after Jacob Orr (Maryland) reached on a 1-out single up the middle. A walk would put two runners on then Gabe Stitley would single to left field to get Thomas Johnson on the board. Matt Fowkes would hit into a fielders choice beating out the double play to allow the second run to score and give the Patriots a quick 2-0 lead.

Huntingtown would respond quickly with a run of their own as Caleb Karbowsky would walk to lead off the inning and move to third after a Cy Harwood double off the left field wall. Karbowsky would score on a Clay Wargo sacrifice fly to make the score 2-1 after one.

Justin Bolden would lead off the Patriot top of the second with a single through the right side  and advance to second on a wild pitch. he would later advance to third after a scrifice bunt. Collin Bitler would ground out to short and get the RBI as Thomas Johnson took a 3-1 lead.

The score would remain that way until the bottom of the fifth inning when Jayson Burnclik singled to left field to start the inning. he would advance to second on a wild pith then score as Karbowsky singled to center to cut the Patriot lead to 3-2. Karbowsky would advance to second on the throw to the plate.

At this point was when Rhoderick's performance began to stick out. As the game got later it looked as if the Patriot lead would soon break, but the senior righty made key pitch after key pitch holding the Hurricanes at bay. In that fifth inning after Karbowsky singled, a walk would put runners at first and second with two out and Huntingtown looking to grab momentum. Rhoderick would get a well hit ground ball to the third baseman Stitley, who stepped on third and threw across to first for an inning ending double play. Huntingtown would then load the bases in the sixth inning with 1-out again, but Rhoderick was able to get out of the jam getting a one hop ground ball that went to shortstop Orr who stepped on second and threw to first for another inning ending double play. 

Rhodericks day ended in the bottom of the seventh after getting two outs. Fowkes would enter the game in relief and face two hitters to close out the game and preserve the Patriot victory.

This victory marks the fourth state championship in school history for Gov. Thomas Johnson and their first since 2002.