After advancing to a state final for the third time in the last four years, coach Mike Frownfelter, senior pitcher Evan Zarroli and senior catcher D.J. Staub are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast.
Host Greg Swatek asks Frownfelter and the players if this is the season the Hawks finally get the monkey off their backs and overcome that final hurdle and claim their first state title in baseball. Weather permitting, Urbana is scheduled to face Dulaney in the Class 4A championship game at 4 p.m. Friday at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.
Frownfelter and the players talk about why the team is playing its best at the right time — Urbana has outscored the opposition 25-2 in three playoff games so far — and why the program has been so remarkably consistent. Tuesday's 5-0 victory over Broadneck marked the Hawks' fourth consecutive appearance in the state semifinals.
They discuss a lineup that doesn't have any easy outs and a pitching staff that has consistently shut down the opposition when it has mattered most this season. They talk about what it's going to take to beat Dulaney, how previous adversity in big games has strengthened the team and what it would mean for all three of them to finally break through and claim that elusive state title.
Prior to that conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss state finals week for Frederick County teams in baseball, softball and boys and girls lacrosse.