Marlboro Mustangs catcher Brendan Corbett fires throw to third base.

By Sean Reilly

A trip to Diamond Nation may be just what DCP 2028 15U needed to get its summer campaign in gear.

After struggling in the month of June, the team based in Bishopville, Md. came to ‘The Nation,’ to compete in the 15U Northeast Classic. 

Two games in, DCP had two confidence-building victories. And even though contributions came from throughout the lineup, one player was a particular spark. 

Drake Trotter was 2-for-4 with five RBI when DCP opened with a 13-3 triumph over the Berks County Bulls Black on Tuesday, and then went 1-for-3 with two RBI as DCP beat the Marlboro Mustangs on Wednesday morning.

Against Marlboro, his two-run double in the top of the third gave DCP a 2-0 lead.

Austin Callaway allowed one hit over three innings for DCP 2028 against the Marlboro Mustangs. 

“I’m letting the ball travel and seeing it well off the pitcher’s hand,” he said.

DCP also received quality pitching in the five-inning victory over the team from Monmouth County.

Austin Callaway started, and allowed one hit over three innings, with seven strikeouts and three walks. Nicky Soares worked the last two innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts and two walks. 

DCP got started in the third inning with a leadoff walk to Bryce Baker, who was sacrificed to second by Adam Lawson. 

With the top of the order now up, Baker moved to third on a wild pitch before Connor Calloway was hit by a pitch. Trotter was up next, and after Calloway stole second, he delivered his two-run double to left. 

“I was looking for a fastball that I could do damage on,” he said.

Trotter stole third before Dave Smith walked, and Tristen Johnson followed with an RBI groundout to second. 

DCP pulled away with a five-run fourth. 

Tommy Hoopes led off with a walk, and Baker followed with a sacrifice bunt that ended with Hoopes hustling continuously to third base. Lawson hit a grounder to third, and was safe on a fielder’s choice while Hoopes scored after a high throw to the plate.

Bryce Baker pulls into third base for DCP 2028. 

Calloway hit a single to left which sent Lawson to second, and after a fly out, a passed ball advanced both. Smith was then safe on an error which scored both for a 6-0 lead. 

Johnson walked and Austin Kinhart was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ronan Diaz followed with an RBI base on balls, and Tanner Edelmann had an RBI single to shortstop to round out the scoring. 

James Barsky singled in the second inning and Jimmy Adamo had a base hit in the fifth for Marlboro.