Atholton Grad Makes First Major League Hit

Last week, Steven Lombardozzi got the call he had undoubtedly been waiting for when The Washington Nationals officially added him to the team roster. This week he showed the team exactly why he belongs there.

According The Washington Post, Lombardozzi or ‘Lombo,’ made his first big league hit during the seventh inning of the game against The New York Mets, Monday night. Lombo knocked a knuckleball into leftfield helping the team secure a 3-2 victory over the Mets. 

An athletic career almost didn’t happen for Lombo. Born with club feet, Lombo’s legs were confined to casts for the first three months of his life, . 

Lombo grew up in Fulton, MD and graduated from in Columbia. He was drafted by the Nationals in 2008 and began working his way through the minors. There, Lombo continued to demonstrate his talents, making a definite impression on team officials along the way. So much so, the Nationals named him the 2011 minor league player of the year, reported The Post.

Before making his first hit, Lombo had seen 15 outs at the plate as an official major league player. As the infielder took the plate for the fourth time Monday night, the pressure was on. Luckily the switch-hitter was able to deliver. Lombo drove the ball into left field, which gave leftfielder, Brian Bixler just enough time to reach home plate giving the Nats a 3-2 lead and eventually the win.

Lombo’s father, also named Steven, was at the game to see his son’s first major league hit, reported The Post. The senior Lombardozzi also played in the majors helping the Minnesota Twins with their 1987 World Series victory. Not the only athlete in the family, Lombo’s sister played soccer at River Hill High School before attending James Madison University, reported .

The Nationals will continue their series with the Mets this week finishing up Friday. They will then return home to Washington, D.C. to battle the Florida Marlins. View the team's full schedule here.