By: Jackson Hephner
Lumberjacks topple Generals 4-2
The Covington Lumberjacks (2-3) picked up a 4-2 win against the Waynesboro Generals (2-3) on Tuesday.
It didn’t take long for Covington to open up the scoring with a two-RBI single from third baseman Gregory Melo (Tallahassee CC) in the first inning. The Lumberjacks’ 2-0 lead was cut to 2-1 Waynesboro left fielder scored in the third before first baseman Alexander McCoy (Maryland Eastern Shore) scored in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2.
The Lumberjacks took back the lead in the sixth with a single-RBI home run from first baseman Wesley Parker (Toledo). Waynesboro failed to respond with any scoring, and Covington shortstop Trent Turner’s (Western Carolina) run in the ninth capped off the win for the Lumberjacks.
Tom Sox defeat Braves 7-3
The Charlottesville Tom Sox (3-2) defeated the Staunton Braves (1-4) 7-3 on Tuesday.
Staunton opened up the scoring early with an RBI single from shortstop Cooper Clapp (Notre Dame) in the first inning, Charlottesville responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs of its own, then added two more in the second to take a 4-1 lead. The Braves scored one run in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the deficit to 4-3, but the Tom Sox scored their final three runs in sixth to expand its lead to 7-3.
Staunton was unable to mount a comeback, thanks in part to Charlottesville pitcher Ryan Lynch (Notre Dame) entering in the sixth and thowing three hitless innings.
Purcellville scores five runs in the tenth to take down Waynesboro 12-9
The Purcellville Cannons (5-1) earned a road win against the Waynesboro Generals (2-4) in dramatic fashion after scoring five runs in the tenth on Wednesday.
Purceilville scored one run in the first then three runs in the second to take a quick 4-0 lead, but Waynesboro shortstop Julian Uejima (Felician College) hit a two-RBI home run in the fourth. The Generals scored four more unanswered runs to take a 6-4 lead entering the ninth. Then the Cannons’ bats heated up.
Purcellville scored three runs in the ninth to take a 7-6 lead before Waynesboro scored one run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game and force extra innings. In the tenth, the Cannons scored five runs to take a commanding 12-7 lead, capped off by a three-RBI homer from third baseman/center fielder Mikey Brinton (Arkansas Ft. Smith). Down but not out, the Generals scored two runs in the bottom of the inning before pitcher Jose Torres (Louisiana) entered the game and forced two straight putouts to give Waynesboro the 12-9 win.
Charlottesville survives seven run inning from Woodstock to win 10-9
The Charlottesville Tom Sox (4-2) held on to its early lead against the Woodstock River Bandits (4-2) to win 10-9 despite Woodstock scoring seven runs in the sixth inning on Wednesday.
Charlottesville scored all 10 of its runs across the third, fourth and fifth innings to take a 10-1 lead entering the sixth inning. First baseman Hollis Porter (Mississippi State) led the Tom Sox in hits and runs with three each.
Staunton scored one run in the fourth, but then scored seven runs in the sixth to cut the deficit to just two. During the inning, the River Bandits made four different offensive substitutions and used 16 different batters throughout the course of the entire game. Among them, third baseman Derek Bermudez (Nova Southeastern) led Woodstock in RBIs with two.
Despite the seven runs, The River Bandits were still down two and only scored one more run in the ninth after pitcher Braden Halladay (High Point) entered during the inning and didn’t allow a single hit, securing the save.
Harrisonburg holds onto early lead to defeat Covington 4-3
The Harrisonburg Turks (4-2) defeated the Covington Lumberjacks (2-4) 4-3 after each team scored all of their runs in a single inning on Wednesday.
The Turks were the first team to put their runs on the board, scoring four in the third inning before the Lumberjacks scored three in fourth. Those were the only runs scored all game.
Covington relievers Campbell Cleveland (Tennessee Martin), Alexander Llinas (Nicholls State) and Waylon Sebren (Memphis) combined to pitch five complete innings, allowing just four hits and nine walks while throwing eight strikeouts. Harrisonburg relievers Dominic Castellano (UCF), Casey Smith (JMU) and Garfield Johns (South Alabama) combined to pitch six complete innings, allowing five hits and one walk while throwing nine strikeouts.
Despite the impressive effort from both bullpens, Harrisonburg’s one run lead was enough to give them the 4-3 win.