After going 1-3 in the last four outings, Gloucester’s April 10 varsity baseball game with Phoebus was going to be a proving ground for the Dukes’ morale and their playoff potential. Gloucester prevailed, getting by the homestanding Phantoms, 5-4.

The Dukes jumped to an early 3-0 lead. After base hits from Michael Clements and Ethan Sabo, a sacrifice bunt by Adam Baldwin scored Clements and sent Sabo to second. Jacob Houston walked and stole a base before an error by the Phoebus catcher allowed him to score the third run of the game.

On the mound, Michael Clements held the Phantoms scoreless in the bottom of the first. Tyler Wood and Matt Contreras were in scoring position for the Dukes in the top of the second but were left stranded.

Phoebus got a spark in the bottom of the second and tied the contest, 3-3, sending Jacob Brown to the mound for Gloucester. Brown escaped a jam in the bottom of the third when the Phantoms had runners at first and second with no outs. ...