Walk-Off Home Run Propels Generals Over Winchester 4-3

Tracy Hadley’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth gave the Generals the victory over Winchester.

A no-doubt, walk-off solo home run by Tracy Hadley in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Waynesboro Generals (10-3) their fourth straight win and a 4-3 victory over the Winchester Royals (7-6).

Hadley was appearing in his first game for the Generals, and the home run gave him his first hit of the season.

“I finally made up my mind that I was gonna sit on the fastball, I set back, and I hit it,” Hadley said of his late-game heroics in a post-game interview.

Winchester got on the board early after three straight walks to open the game by Waynesboro starting pitcher Tyler Davis loaded the bases and a sacrifice fly made the score 1-0.

The Generals struck back in the bottom of the inning, though, with three runs to claim the lead. Starting pitcher Joey Jones for the Royals also issued the three walks to open the game and loaded the bases allowing T.J. Condon to put Waynesboro ahead with a two-RBI single. After a throwing error by the second baseman on an attempted double play turn, the Generals extended their lead to 3-1.

Winchester came back to tie the game in the top of the fifth with two runs of their own. After a leadoff walk, pitcher Merritt Huber threw the ball away at first on a bunt attempt by Kevin Suarez allowing the runner to score. Suarez advanced to third and would score in the next at bat on an RBI groundout by Trevor Jensen to tie it at 3 before Hadley would end the game in the ninth.

Davis would go four innings for the Generals and, despite early struggles, limited Winchester to just one run on two hits with three strikeouts and five walks. Huber would come on in relief to pitch four innings allowing two runs, one of which was earned, on one hit with one walk and one strikeout. Zach Neff got the win after pitching the ninth inning allowing one hit with two strikeouts.

Jon Peterson was the losing pitcher for the Royals.

Coach Matt Williams Player of the Game: Tracy Hadley (Walk-off home run in bottom of the ninth)

UP NEXT: The Generals will play their second straight home game when they face the New Market Rebels Sunday, June 19 at 7:00 pm.