By Todd McElwee | Staff Writer

The Maryland School for the Deaf’s baseball season didn’t end the way it would have preferred.

California School for the Deaf-Freemont drubbed the Orioles 16-1 in the championship game of eighth annual Dummy Hoy Tournament Saturday. Regardless of the setback, the Orioles’ weekend and overall return to the diamond proved a resounding success.

Meanwhile, in the events’ softball competition, MSD rolled to an undefeated weekend and the Dummy Hoy Championship. The Orioles, who finished with four wins and a tie, scored the tournament-winning run in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Freemont 5-4 Saturday.

‘‘I am extremely proud of this bunch of players that stayed together to surprise everyone and make it to the final game,” Orioles head baseball coach Scott Morrison said.

‘‘Not having a team for two years and going this far says a lot for the athleticism of these players, some who had very little experience playing baseball.”

Ten was the magic number Friday. The Orioles opened the tournament with a 10-6 victory over Indiana School for Deaf. Later that afternoon they topped California School for the Deaf-Riverside 10-7 before escaping DC’s Model School for the Deaf 10-9 in the nightcap.

MSD’s baseball squad returned to action Saturday afternoon in a meaningless outing against Freemont. Both outfits had already clinched their slots in the tournament championship, so their first meeting was wrapped up before it’s official conclusion with MSD leading 6-5. The Orioles wouldn’t fair as well in the title game, relinquishing 10 hits and seven walks in the finale.

‘‘Since we came from behind to win two of the games including one where we had to rally for three runs in the last inning against Model,” head coach Scott Morrison said.

‘‘I believe the players took to heart the quote from Winston Churchill to ‘never, never, never, never, never give up’ as this was instilled in them from day one when I looked over a small squad of 13 players that ended up being 11 when it came time for the tournament.”

Ryan Bonheyo ended the weekend with a .833 (5-for-6) batting average, three runs batted in and a pair of runs scored. Cody Blazer drove in four runs while Mark Korn had a home run and four RBI.

Justin Wiener drew six walks and scored six times. Bonheyo, Korn and Wiener were named to the all-tournament team.

Now MSD looks to the future. Two years removed from their previous campaign, the Orioles finished at 6-3 (7-3 including the shortened game). Bonheyo and Weiner are amongst those who return for next season, richer from the experience of playing in the Hoy.

In the softball championship game, Claire Tucker singled, then scored the deciding run in the final.

Jessica Israel went 2-for-3 while Michelle Mansfield-Hom collected the win. MSD is now 12-3-1.