Covington Takes Game One
HAYMARKET, Va. - Eighth-seeded Covington won its fourth straight game of the 2009 Valley League playoffs with a 10-1 win over Haymarket in game one of the championship series.
The ‘Jacks (26-24 overall, 5-1 playoffs) scored three runs in the fourth and one in the sixth to take a lead it would not relinquish over Haymarket (26-23, 4-1).
The win also gives Covington home-field advantage in the best-of-five series. Game two is Sunday night at Casey Field in Covington.
Ryan Durrence plated the first run of the game with a bases loaded groundout before Adam Browett had a two-run single two batters later that put the Lumberjacks on top to stay.
Durrence made it 4-0 with a solo HR in the sixth and then the ‘Jacks pulled away two in the seventh, one in the eighth and three more in the ninth.
The Senators scored their only run in the seventh when Mike Demma led off with a walk and eventually came home on a passed ball.
Danny DeSimone improved to 2-0 in the playoffs by striking out seven against five hits and three walks in 7.0 innings. A pair of ‘Jacks relievers allowed just one hit and retired the final four batters in order to finish off Haymarket in the opening game of the series.
JJ Muse joined Browett and Durrence with two RBI each for the victors while Andrew Lawrence was 2 for 4 for the hosts.
Matt Benedict took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and four walks in 5.0 innings. He also struck out three.