Championship Series Set

Haymarket 5, New Market 3

Haymarket clinched its spot in the 2009 VBL Championship series by finishing off New Market with a 5-3 win Friday night in Haymarket.

With the score tied at 1-1, the Senators took the lead for good with a three-run sixth. Greg Hopkins scored the run that put the hosts up for good when he came home on a passed ball before Mike Demma laced a two-run double that plated the eventual winning run.

Robert Van Woert, who pitched Haymarket into the playoffs on the final night of the regular season with a win over Fauquier, struck out four and allowed one run on four hits in 6.0 innings to earn the victory.

Mark Andrews struck out three to get the Senators to within one out of the clinching victory and Jack Leathersich got that out by striking out Richard Gonzalez to end the contest.

Covington 6, Winchester 3

Covington joins Haymarket in the 2009 VBL Championship by eliminating Winchester with a 6-3 victory.

The ‘Jacks victory means the two bottom seeds in the eight-team playoff will play for the championship.

Leading 4-3 in the sixth, JJ Muse gave Covington some much-needed breathing room with a bases loaded, ground-rule double to push the advantage out to 6-3.

Mike Pierce struck out five in 6.0 innings before Bryce Robinson struck out another five in the final three innings to earn the save.

Steve Sabins had a two-run HR for the Royals.