Hanover and Liberty Christian Academy appear to be headed for a rematch of their thrilling 2016 State championship as both teams won their Region tournaments.
The defending 4A champion Hanover Hawks needed two extra inning games to reach the State playoffs. They defeated Jamestown 2-1 in a 13-inning affair to earn a trip to the Region title game. Antonio Balducci pitched eight shutout innings while striking out eight to earn the win. Back-to-back 2-out doubles by Brian Sisson and Will Lopez produced the game-winning run. Sisson scored both runs for the Hawks. Hanover won the Region by defeating Great Bridge 5-4 in the 8th inning. The Wildcats tied the game 3-3 in the top of the 7th inning then took a 1-run lead with a run in the 8th inning. Three errors scored a run and a walk to Camden Grimes loaded the bases with only one out. Josh Plummer singled to end the game.
Harrisonburg reached the State semi-finals with a 10 innings 14-13 win over E.C Glass. The score was tied 11-11 after seven innings and both teams scored two runs in the 9th inning. Cade Templeton singled home the game winning run while collecting three hits. Marcus Robinson-Jenkins added four RBI and three hits while Malachi Simmons belted a solo homerun.
Liberty Christian Academy won two 1-run games to win the 4A West Region championship. The Bulldogs defeated Freedom 1-0 with Hunter Johnson delivering a walk-off single. Austin Roach and Pearce Howard combined to strike out eight batters while not allowing a run. In the Region final, Liberty Christian Academy duplicated their 1-0 win by defeating Harrisonburg. Howard again combined with Christian Gordon for the shutout. Noah Cook provided the only scoring with a 3rd inning homerun. The Bulldogs will face Great Bridge at 10 AM at Salem Stadium on Friday.
The defending 4A champion Hanover Hawks needed two extra inning games to reach the State playoffs. They defeated Jamestown 2-1 in a 13-inning affair to earn a trip to the Region title game. Antonio Balducci pitched eight shutout innings while striking out eight to earn the win. Back-to-back 2-out doubles by Brian Sisson and Will Lopez produced the game-winning run. Sisson scored both runs for the Hawks. Hanover won the Region by defeating Great Bridge 5-4 in the 8th inning. The Wildcats tied the game 3-3 in the top of the 7th inning then took a 1-run lead with a run in the 8th inning. Three errors scored a run and a walk to Camden Grimes loaded the bases with only one out. Josh Plummer singled to end the game.
Harrisonburg reached the State semi-finals with a 10 innings 14-13 win over E.C Glass. The score was tied 11-11 after seven innings and both teams scored two runs in the 9th inning. Cade Templeton singled home the game winning run while collecting three hits. Marcus Robinson-Jenkins added four RBI and three hits while Malachi Simmons belted a solo homerun.
Liberty Christian Academy won two 1-run games to win the 4A West Region championship. The Bulldogs defeated Freedom 1-0 with Hunter Johnson delivering a walk-off single. Austin Roach and Pearce Howard combined to strike out eight batters while not allowing a run. In the Region final, Liberty Christian Academy duplicated their 1-0 win by defeating Harrisonburg. Howard again combined with Christian Gordon for the shutout. Noah Cook provided the only scoring with a 3rd inning homerun. The Bulldogs will face Great Bridge at 10 AM at Salem Stadium on Friday.
