After winning the Class 2A West Region I baseball championship on Wednesday with a 4-1 victory over Century, Middletown baseball coach Andy Baker and senior outfield and leadoff hitter Joey Nicholson are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast.

Baker and Nicholson chat with host Greg Swatek about the bond, camaraderie and depth of talent on this senior-laden Middletown team and how that has carried the Knights to a 16-5 record and a trip to the Class 2A state quarterfinals.

Nicholson talks about how his love for the sport was born out of hitting crabapples in his grandmother's yard with a stick. He discusses how he gradually got better and stepping into the leadoff role for Middletown at the start of this season.

Meanwhile, Baker talks about challenging this team to help it reach its potential and what winning another state title, the school's first in baseball since 2017, would mean to him and his players.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss the state of the spring playoffs for Frederick County teams in baseball, softball and boys and girls lacrosse.

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