Western Branch needed a come-from-behind 6-4 win over the Cox Falcons in the 6A State championship game. It was the second time Western Branch celebrated a State title while playing at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax. The Bruins won the 2014 6A State championship.
The match-up was a rematch of the Region championship game won by Cox last week.
The Bruins trailed Cox 3-1 heading into the top of the 6th inning but they loaded the bases thanks to two walks and a double from catcher Ethan Alexander. With the bases juiced, Phillip Gottlieb grounded out to 3rd scoring Old Dominion commit Rufus Hurdle from 3rd. Trent Jones lifted a fly ball that fell in front of three Cox fielders that scored another run for the Bruins and cut the deficit to 4-3.
With two outs, leadoff hitter Connor Rhem hit a seeing eye single to center field which scored two runs and gave Western Branch a 5-4 lead. The next batter, Conner Butler, added an insurance run with a single to score Rhem from 3rd base. Rhem had a big game finishing with three hits, two RBI and a run scored.
Sophomore Antonio Velasquez completed five innings and earn the win after giving up six hits and three earned runs. Bryce Sommerfeldt was credited with the save after throwing two scoreless innings.
Cox scored four runs in the middle three innings to take a 4-1 lead thru five innings. Colton Harris delivered a two-run single while Austin Cabone and Andrew Teixeira each drove in a run. VCU commit Hogan Brown finished with three hits and two runs scored.
Peyton Porter pitched well until they fateful sixth inning. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs. Kole Register got the final four outs.
The match-up was a rematch of the Region championship game won by Cox last week.
The Bruins trailed Cox 3-1 heading into the top of the 6th inning but they loaded the bases thanks to two walks and a double from catcher Ethan Alexander. With the bases juiced, Phillip Gottlieb grounded out to 3rd scoring Old Dominion commit Rufus Hurdle from 3rd. Trent Jones lifted a fly ball that fell in front of three Cox fielders that scored another run for the Bruins and cut the deficit to 4-3.
With two outs, leadoff hitter Connor Rhem hit a seeing eye single to center field which scored two runs and gave Western Branch a 5-4 lead. The next batter, Conner Butler, added an insurance run with a single to score Rhem from 3rd base. Rhem had a big game finishing with three hits, two RBI and a run scored.
Sophomore Antonio Velasquez completed five innings and earn the win after giving up six hits and three earned runs. Bryce Sommerfeldt was credited with the save after throwing two scoreless innings.
Cox scored four runs in the middle three innings to take a 4-1 lead thru five innings. Colton Harris delivered a two-run single while Austin Cabone and Andrew Teixeira each drove in a run. VCU commit Hogan Brown finished with three hits and two runs scored.
Peyton Porter pitched well until they fateful sixth inning. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs. Kole Register got the final four outs.
