This time it was Bradley Roberts' turn to be mobbed and dragged all around the field as the now-graduated right-fielder sneaked a two-out hit right up the middle in the bottom of the 7th to give Riverheads a tense 1-0 win over the Chargers. RHS will now host a state quarter-final on Tuesday against either West Point or Northumberland as those two teams play later today for the Region A title. Lunenburg also advances to state play as they will travel to face the winner of that game.
Despite an earlier start time of 3:00, there was a decent crowd on hand, even a respectable number from Victoria, and everyone was treated to a classic pitchers' duel in which the teams combined for only seven hits on the day. Each team had opportunities earlier in the game before the Gladiators finally capitalized, perhaps helped along by a controversial play at second that brought the Charger skipper out of the dugout for a lengthy discussion.
Jakob King, the RHS starting pitcher who had been relieved by that time, worked the Chargers' number 18 for a one-out walk in the 7th. While attempting to steal second, the throw appeared to be in plenty of time to nail him and the out sign was initially given. However it was soon changed to safe and some fans were claiming to have seen the ball dropped.
The discussion ensued, complicated a little further by King apparently being hurt on the play, which led to him strolling all over the infield trying to shake it off. For what seemed like 10 minutes, there was uncertainty as to whether he was in fact out or staying on second. Finally, it became clear that he was staying in the game, and he was then sacrificed to third and came around to score on Roberts' clutch hit.
Prior to that game-winning play, the Chargers actually had one more opportunity than Riverheads to score, but King worked out of a couple of jams to keep the shutout intact. In the fifth, CHS' humongous first baseman, Ethan Hoover, opened the inning with a deep double to centerfield but was left stranded where he stood. Then in the sixth, the visitors loaded the sacks with only one out, but King struck out the next guy and induced Hoover to fly out to end that threat.
Meanwhile, number 18 (sorry do not remember the name) pitched a great game and allowed only four hits on the day. Prior to Roberts' big moment, the Gladiators had advanced only one man as far as third. King and his seventh-inning replacement Casey Butler combined to hold Lunenburg to only three hits to earn the hard-fought victory.
Despite the lack of scoring, each team made significant contact with the ball as just about every outfielder earned his paycheck today. Walks and strike-outs were few and far between and there was not a single hit batter today, after what has seemed like a ton of them this season. All things considered, it was a classic game, the kind you hate to see either team lose, and we are lucky that we beat whatever storm may be on the horizon tonight.
Best wishes to both teams moving forward, and who knows they could meet again before all is said and done. That has happened before.
Despite an earlier start time of 3:00, there was a decent crowd on hand, even a respectable number from Victoria, and everyone was treated to a classic pitchers' duel in which the teams combined for only seven hits on the day. Each team had opportunities earlier in the game before the Gladiators finally capitalized, perhaps helped along by a controversial play at second that brought the Charger skipper out of the dugout for a lengthy discussion.
Jakob King, the RHS starting pitcher who had been relieved by that time, worked the Chargers' number 18 for a one-out walk in the 7th. While attempting to steal second, the throw appeared to be in plenty of time to nail him and the out sign was initially given. However it was soon changed to safe and some fans were claiming to have seen the ball dropped.
The discussion ensued, complicated a little further by King apparently being hurt on the play, which led to him strolling all over the infield trying to shake it off. For what seemed like 10 minutes, there was uncertainty as to whether he was in fact out or staying on second. Finally, it became clear that he was staying in the game, and he was then sacrificed to third and came around to score on Roberts' clutch hit.
Prior to that game-winning play, the Chargers actually had one more opportunity than Riverheads to score, but King worked out of a couple of jams to keep the shutout intact. In the fifth, CHS' humongous first baseman, Ethan Hoover, opened the inning with a deep double to centerfield but was left stranded where he stood. Then in the sixth, the visitors loaded the sacks with only one out, but King struck out the next guy and induced Hoover to fly out to end that threat.
Meanwhile, number 18 (sorry do not remember the name) pitched a great game and allowed only four hits on the day. Prior to Roberts' big moment, the Gladiators had advanced only one man as far as third. King and his seventh-inning replacement Casey Butler combined to hold Lunenburg to only three hits to earn the hard-fought victory.
Despite the lack of scoring, each team made significant contact with the ball as just about every outfielder earned his paycheck today. Walks and strike-outs were few and far between and there was not a single hit batter today, after what has seemed like a ton of them this season. All things considered, it was a classic game, the kind you hate to see either team lose, and we are lucky that we beat whatever storm may be on the horizon tonight.
Best wishes to both teams moving forward, and who knows they could meet again before all is said and done. That has happened before.
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