Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net

David Gibson pitched seven strong innings, and Staunton took advantage of six walks surrendered by Waynesboro starter Michael Reed, as the Braves held off the Generals, 6-3, before a season-high crowd of 1,561 at John Moxie Memorial Stadium Friday night.

Waynesboro jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a two-run first-inning homer by third baseman Grant Fillipitch, his sixth of the season. The Braves tied it in the second at 2-2 on a pair of RBI singles by Brian Collins and Stephen Branca, then took control in the fifth, loading the bases with nobody out off Reed (0-5), then scoring when reliever Tim Leather hit Todd Brazeal with an 0-1 fastball and two outs later when Steve Scoby scored from third on a passed ball by catcher Alan Stoupa.

The lead was 6-2 in the seventh on a pair of run-scoring singles by Alex Guerra and Justin Bagbey. Waynesboro loaded the bases with nobody out in the eighth off Gibson (1-1), but could only manage one run, on a two-out walk to T.J. Kuban by reliever Tyler Deetjen. Stoupa grounded out to end that threat, and Deetjen retired Waynesboro 1-2-3 in the ninth to close it out.

A Luray doubleheader sweep of Woodstock and a come-from-behind win by league-leading Haymarket over New Market Friday night has Waynesboro’s magic number for a playoff berth at one. The Generals are off on Saturday, and return to action on Sunday with a day-night, two-team doubleheader at Mathers Park, playing Covington in a makeup game for an early-week rainout at 1 p.m., then hosting Staunton at 7 p.m. in the regular-season home finale.

Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net

The Staunton Braves might still be on the outside looking in as far as the 2010 Valley League playoff picture is concerned, but they also still own the Waynesboro Generals.

The Braves blasted Waynesboro 12-1 Thursday night in front of 1,111 at John Moxie Memorial Stadium to post their 10th win in the last 12 games in the rivalry series.

It was done largely with small ball. Only one of Staunton’s nine hits went for extra bases, but the Braves stole 11 bases on 12 attempts.

Jarryd Summers (1-1) took the loss for Waynesboro, giving up four runs on two hits and six walks in six innings pitched.

Ben Alsup (4-0) picked up the win for Staunton with five and a third innings of shutout baseball.