Sometimes it is the oldest trick in the book that ultimately proves to be most successful, which was true during the seventh inning of a high school baseball playoff game in Maryland earlier this week. St. Michaels used the hidden ball trick to beat Pikesville on a walk-off fake error.
The Saints (yes, they are the Saint Michaels Saints) ran the play to perfection with their backs up against the wall.
They will play for a high school baseball state championship because of the electric win. It was a gutsy decision!
🚨PLAYOFFS!!
— St. Michaels Baseball (@GoSaintMichaels) May 20, 2025
**Class 1A State Semifinals**
🗓 | Tue (5/20) ⏰ | 4pm
🏟 | McCurdy Field (Frederick, MD)
🆚 | Pikesville Panthers (11-7)
🌡 | 70 🌥 Wind NW 2mph
💪 Probable Starters:
STM: '25 RHP Will Sherwood (5-2, 1.24 ERA)
PKV: '25 RHP Isaac Garonzik (3-2, 3.18 ERA)
Historic… pic.twitter.com/WrFvn5AmSi
Head coach Brian Femi called for the trick play during the top half of the final frame. The Panthers, who trailed 4-0 through six, cut the deficit to just one run in the top of the seventh inning. They had the tying run on second base with two outs. A deep base knock to the outfield likely would’ve tied the game.
Femi decided to go out on a limb and called for the hidden ball trick. Starting pitcher Will Sherwood turned back toward the runner behind him to mimic the pickoff throw. Second baseman Brock Grow and shortstop Ethan Royer were there to field the throw that did not exist. Grow dove head-first into the dirt to try and stop the phantom ball from reaching the outfield. Royer ran into the outfield as if to chase down the errant throw that Grow could not stop. They completely sold it as if the ball was loose.
Pikesville’s baserunner initially ran back to second base. He took off for third as soon as the ball reached the outfield on the error. Except it never did! Sherwood had the ball in his glove the whole time.
St. Michaels’ pitcher took off toward third base and tagged the runner before he reached the bag for the final out of the inning and the final out of the game. The Saints went bonkers.
🚨Ballgame🚨
— Prep Baseball Maryland (@PrepBaseballMD) May 20, 2025
Absolutely UNREAL ending to the first 1A State Semifinal of the day. @GoSaintMichaels runs a fake pickoff to perfection with the game tying run on second to end Pikesville’s furious 7th in ing rally.
Will Sherwood ends with a complete game for the Saints as they… pic.twitter.com/QBApOA6sGl
I do not know how long Femi had this one up his sleeve but the team had obviously practiced its acting. The head coach pulled out the trick play at the perfect time and his players executed to perfection. Their performance, which is deserving of an Academy Award, secured the win for St. Michaels. The Saints will play for the Class 1A state championship because of the hidden ball trick. Classic.