Generals Drop Game 1 of Championship Series 7-6 at Strasburg

The Waynesboro Generals fell just short in Game 1 of the Valley League Championship Series, losing to the Strasburg Express 7-6 Thursday night.

Strasburg came out of the gate quick with a big three run home run by Brandon Quaranta to give them an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Waynesboro came ready with a response, though, as they put up four runs in the second to take their first lead. Brent Sakurai delivered a two-RBI triple to right field to score the first two and put Waynesboro on the scoreboard. Sam Palensky would follow with a two run single as the Generals took a 4-3 lead.

The Express would come back with three more runs scored in the bottom of the third inning to retake the lead, however. Strasburg used a pair of doubles and singles to take a 6-4 lead in an impressive two-out rally in the inning. They would tack on one more in the fifth when Carter Pharis took home on a wild pitch and lead 7-4.

The Generals were not done yet as Zach Sterry brought them to within one with a two-run home run, his third of the postseason, but Waynesboro was unable to complete the comeback, losing 7-6.

Brett Sasse started on the mound for Waynesboro, only going three and a third innings after allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out two batters. Dylan Burns came on in relief for three and two-thirds innings while giving up one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked one. Darren Kelly pitched the ninth and surrendered just one hit.

Waynesboro now faces elimination for the first time this postseason, as they must win the next two games to win the Jim Lineweaver Cup.

UP NEXT: Game 2 of the best-of-3 Championship series will take place in Waynesboro on Friday evening beginning at 7:00 pm