Duke Sends Shortstop
Waynesboro, Virginia
After Duke University sent us Player of the Year nominee Chase Cheek last year, they’re sending another top talent our way this season. Duke competes in the ACC, which is one of the Power 5 conferences. The Generals will have players from two of the five this season. The Blue Devils will send their starting shortstop to Waynesboro that happens to be fairly local. Please welcome, Ethan Murray!
Ethan Murray – Shortstop
The 5’11 180 pound freshman is from Crozet, Virginia and a graduate of The Miller School. He is the son of Christine and Kevin Murray. While in high school, he helped win two state championships, was named Honorable Mention All-America by Perfect Game, and was ranked at the number 34 prospect in the state of Virginia. So far this season, Ethan has been penciled in at shortstop for every contest in his freshman season. He’s second on the team with a .321 batting average. He’s hit seven doubles, two triples, and four home runs with 32 runs driven in. He currently leads the team in runs with 39. He’s also been a solid defender for the Blue Devils. He’s only made five errors in 167 chances this season for a fielding percentage of .971. The smooth fielding shortstop will look to solidify the defense behind what looks like a pretty good pitching staff for the Generals this summer. Please welcome to Waynesboro, Ethan Murray!
Tyler Bielamowicz Throws No-Hitter vs. Front Royal
In one of the most masterful pitching performances you will ever see, Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) chucked a No-Hitter with 15 strikeouts.
We’ll cover the offense of the Generals before diving into Bielo’s performance. The Generals put up 9 hits and 4 runs in the victory. Neither team had scored until the top of the 6th. The Gens were able to change that when Alex Brait (FGCU) was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning. He moved to third base on a single by Bryce Teodosio (Clemson) and scored on an RBI groundout by Alex Webb (Chipola). They manufactured another run in the top of the 8th when Alex Brait delivered a 2 out double and came in to score on an error by the right fielder on Bryce Teodosio’s fly ball. After 8 innings, the Gens lead 2-0 while Bielo was dealing. In the 9th, the Gens loaded the bases with 2 outs in the inning. Blake Johnson (UAB) delivered a double into the right center gap to score 4-0.
Now for the performance of the night. Tyler Bielamowicz pounded the zone all night in his outing. He was perfect going into the 9th inning. He had faced the minimum to get out every single batter he had faced. The Cardinals broke up the perfect game on the first batter of the 9th on an error by the General third baseman. They also worked a walk in the inning with 2 outs. But Bielo was able to finish out the game in only 111 pitches after striking out 15 batters. Not only was it one of the most dominant performances, it was one of the most efficient performances in recent memory.
Key Perfomers for Front Royal:
- Rob Griswold: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston): W (1-2), No-Hitter, 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 15 K
- Chase Cheek (Duke): 2-4, 2B, BB
- Blake Johnson (UAB): 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI
- Alex Brait (FGCU): 1-4, 2B, 2 R
The Generals (19-15) will be back at home when they take on the Strasburg Express on Monday night.
Covington Snaps 5 Game Win Streak of Waynesboro
In a back and forth battle for first place with Waynesboro, who was only a game back of Covington for the lead in the South division, Evan McAndrew from the Lumerjacks threw the last 5 innings in no-hit fashion to shut down the Generals in a 7-5 loss.
The Gens started out hot in the bottom of the first inning by scoring 2 to take the lead. It all started with a 2 out hit-by-pitch to Alex Brait (FGCU). Andrew Orzel (Wofford) followed him up with a walk. Alex Webb (Chipola) drove in the first run with a single to center. 2 pitches later Orzel came in to score on a wild pitch. The 2-0 lead would stand until the top of the third.
In the top of the third, Covington evened the score at 2 on the strength of 3 base hits. With one out, the Jacks delivered back-to-back singles to start things out. A fielder’s choice on a slowly hit ground ball scored the first run. After the runner moved to second base on a wild pitch, a ground-rule double drove in the tying run. They then took a lead in the top of the 4th. The first two runners reached in the inning and were sacrificed to second and third on a well-executed bunt. A sacrifice fly drove in the run to put them in the lead.
The Generals would tie the game in the bottom of the 4th when the first two runners also reached. However, when trying to bunt for the first two strikes, the hitter was unsuccessful. He would end up grounding into a double play, but the run would score on an RBI single by Blake Johnson (UAB) to tie the game back up.
Covington would take the lead 4-3 in the top of the 5th. Covington hit a leadoff single to right that would end up playing into a 2 base error to put the leadoff runner on third. Eventually he would score on a one out single up the middle. The back and forth continued with the two top teams. Waynesboro scored 2 to take the lead back at 5-4. Chase Cheek (Duke) would reach on an error and would be followed up by another free pass to Alex Brait. Orzel would attempt to lay down a bunt and would do so successfully. When the Covington third baseman would make the throw, it would sail over the first baseman’s head. Cheek and Brait would both score on the play but the Generals would not capitalize and would be struck out twice to end then inning.
Covington drove in another run to tie the game again at 5 in the 6th inning. They would also tack on 1 run in both the 7th and 8th innings to take a 7-5 lead. It capped off a came where Covington scored in 6 straight innings.
Key Performers for Covington:
- Evan McAndrew: W, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
- Bennett Hostetler: 2-4, 2B, RBI, R
- Connor Hood: 2-5, HR, RBI, 2 R
- JC Santos: 3-3, BB, 2 R
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Jackson Webb (UCF): 1-2, BB, HBP, R
- Alex Brait (FGCU): 0-1, 2 BB, HBP, 2 R
- Aron Solis (Texas Southern): 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Waynesboro (18-14) will be back in action Saturday night on the road in Charlottesville when they take on the TomSox.
Gens Score 16 to Beat New Market to Stay Hot
New Market fans had to be feeling a bit of deja vu when the Gens put up a 7 spot in the first inning. The last time the two teams matched up, Waynesboro won by busting out 18 runs on 20 hits. Tonight, the Generals would put up 16 in the winning effort.
The night started with a bang for Waynesboro. After starter Tyler Thompson (Austin Peay) worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first, the offense came alive. Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) started things off with a single. Chase Cheek (Duke) would then send a swinging bunt up the third base line. The third baseman would field it and throw it away to allow Bielo to come all the way around to score and Cheek to make it to third. A hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases for Alex Webb (Chipola). Webb shot a single up the middle for an RBI and the second run of the inning. Jackson Webb (UCF) worked a bases loaded RBI walk for the third run. Bryce Teodosio would then hit a high fly ball down the right field line into foul territory for a sacrifice fly that all runners advanced on. The next batter would strike out for out number two and New Market looked as if they could get out of the inning by only giving up 4 runs. However, Joe Bellini (Cincinatti) drilled a triple into the right center field gap for 2 RBIs. He would also end up scoring 2 pitches later on a wild pitch. The score would stand at 7-0 after 1 complete inning.
New Market would respond quickly with 2 runs in the top of the second inning. After a lead-off single, a fielder’s choice, and 2 stolen bases, there was a runner at 3rd base with only one out in the inning. The Rebels would shoot a single through the left side to score their first run. Two batters later, Andrew Eyster would drill a double down the right field line to drive in the other run of the inning. The score after 2 complete was now 7-2.
The Generals would bust things back open in the bottom of the 4th with 3 more runs. Alex Brait (Florida Gulf Coast) would start things off with a 1-out single to right and would advance to second later on a wild pitch. However after a strikeout, there were 2 away in the inning with Brait standing on second base. Alex Webb would walk and Brait would steal third to put runners at first and third for Bryce Teodosio. Teodosio was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St) would get hit by a pitch for an RBI, and finally, Joe Bellini would be the third consecutive batter to be hit by a pitch and would bring in another run. The score moved to 10-2 after 4 innings.
In the top of the 5th, the Rebels would tack on a run to make the score 10-3. It started with a lead off single by Oraj Anu. That was one of 4 hits by Anu on the night. He was moved to second base on a tapper back to the mound. He eventually scored on a single to right field with two outs in the inning. But there would be no further threat.
In the bottom part of the 5th, the Generals would put up another 4 runs. Alex Brait was the man to start things with one out in the inning again. He drew a walk. Andrew Orzel (Wofford) would move him to third base on a single to right. With runners on the corners and 1 out in the inning, Alex Webb would ground into an RBI fielder’s choice. Jackson Webb would once again draw a walk to get runners on first and second for Bryce Teodosio. On a 2-2 count, Teodosio unloaded on a ball that disappeared into the night sky. The 3 run shot would move the score to 13-3.
For good measure, Waynesboro would pile on their final 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning. Joe Bellini would work a leadoff walk and would score on a first pitch RBI triple by Tyler Bielamowicz. Chase Cheek would send a groundball to the right side for an RBI groundout. The score stood at 16-3. The Rebels would manage to score one in the top of the 8th by way of an RBI groundout to third base to move the score to where it would ultimately finish. Final Score: 16-4.
Key Performers for New Market:
- Oraj Anu: 4-5, R
- Kobe Lopez: 2-2, BB
- Henry Moore: 2-2, RBI
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Jackson Webb (UCF): 2-3, 2 RBI, 3 R, SB
- Alex Webb (Chipola): 1-4, 2 RBI, 3 R
- Bryce Teodosio (Clemson): 1-3, HR, Sac Fly, 4 RBI
- Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston): 2-6, 3B, RBI, 2 R
- Alex Brait (FGCU): 1-3, SB, HBP, BB, 3 R
The Generals will have the opportunity to catch Covington in the standings tomorrow when they take on the Lumberjacks head-to-head at 7 PM at Kate Collins Field. Matt Ellmyer (Wofford) is scheduled to be on the mound.
Pitcher’s Dual Finishes In 4th Straight Win For Waynesboro
In a game that only saw 5 hits between the two teams combined, timely hitting was the key factor in deciding a winner in the tightly contested ball game in Winchester Wednesday night.
Before General starter Nathan Schneider (St. Mary’s) settled into one of his best outings of the summer, they got to him for a run in the first. The first batter of Schneider’s night reached base via the walk. He later stole second before a bouncer up the middle scored him from second base. The Royals had jumped out to a 1-0 lead after 1 complete inning.
As mentioned, both pitchers would be stellar. The only time the Generals scored was in the 4th inning. The inning would start with an airmailed throw on a slow roller hit by Bryce Teodosio (Clemson). Andrew Orzel (Wofford) would then walk to put runners at 1st and second with one out in the inning. After a chopper to third base advanced both base runners safely, Dalton Wingo (UCF) would work a full count walk to load the bases with two outs in the inning for Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St.). Bruno would rip a 1-1 pitch down the third base line that would rattle around in the left field corner. All 3 runners would come around to score and after the top of the 4th, the Generals would lead 3-1.
Nathan Schneider worked his way through the 5th with a 3 up, 3 down, showing. However, things got a bit messy in the bottom of the 6th inning. With the Royals only down 2, the go ahead run would be brought to the plate after Schneider hit the first batter and walked the second. He would manage to get a line drive out to left field for out number one. He would then get the next hitter to hit a line drive right at the third baseman. If caught, the Gens would’ve had a double play because the Royal runners had started to run to the next base and would have been doubled off for sure. However, when the ball was booted, the Gens had their hands full with the bases loaded and one out. But just like the night before at home vs. Harrisonburg, Head Coach John Jeanes turned to the bullpen, and his reliever worked an inning ending double play to avoid the danger. This time it was newcomer Austin Hohm (Georgia Southern).
Hohm would make pretty easy work of the Winchester Royals for the rest of the game. He would go on to pick up the 11 out save by finishing out the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th innings.
Key Performers for Winchester:
- Dylan Gentry: L (0-1), 6 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 8 K
- James Grant: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
- Jake Posey: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Nathan Schneider (St. Mary’s): W (2-0), 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
- Austin Hohm (Georgia Southern): SV (1), 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
- Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St.): 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI
The Generals (17-13) have moved into 2nd place and are within a game of the South Division leading Covington Lumberjacks. Waynesboro will be back in action at home on Thursday night when they welcome the New Market Rebels into town for the first time all summer.
Generals Drop 3rd Straight in Charlottesville
Back-to-back 3-run innings were too much to handle for the Generals on Monday night in Charlottesville. The Generals were only able to muster 4 runs on 13 hits.
Things looked promising in the early going for the Generals. They were looking to snap a minor 2 game skid heading into the home of the most recent Valley League Champions in Charlottesville. In the top of the 2nd, the Gens were looking for a huge inning after a leadoff single from Andrew Orzel (Wofford) was followed by a double by catcher, Alex Brait (FGCU). The Generals ended up only getting one run in the inning after a pop up to short, a sacrifice fly to deep left by Jackson Webb (UCF), and a strike out.
In the 3rd inning, the Gens started with three straight hits. Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss) led off with a double and was brought in by a Chase Cheek (Duke) double. Cheek was brought around to score immediately after that on an RBI single by Tanner Thomas (Virginia Tech). The inning took an abrupt turn, however, when Thomas stole second on a 3rd strike and the home plate umpire ruled Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) leaned across the plate, deeming it batters interference. The score after 3 was 3-0 in favor of the visiting Generals.
It wasn’t until the 4th that the TomSox were able to crack Waynesboro starter Nathan Schneider (St. Mary’s). Schneider was on to work another inning and was ambushed by three straight hits and a walk to the first four batters, chasing him from the game early. Pat McColl started things out with an infield single. He was followed by two straight doubles to bring in two runs. Fred Villarreal (Houston) came on to relieve Schneider with nobody out in the inning and runners on first and second base. Villarreal was able to roll a double play ball to give him a chance to get out of the inning with the lead still intact. However, the next hitter scorched one to the right center gap. Tanner Thomas gave a leaping attempt, but couldn’t quite bring it down. The score was tied after 4 complete at 3-3.
In the 5th, the TomSox jumped right back on it. After getting the first out, Villarreal hit 2 batters and walked another to load the bases. One run was brought in on a slow roller to second base, moving runners to second and third with 2 outs. The TomSox took advantage of having runners in scoring position with a 2 out, 2 RBI single to push the score to 6-3 after 5 innings.
The Generals would make a small comeback attempt in the top of the 8th inning with 3 straight 2 out singles by Alex Brait, Tyler Trovinger (Oakland), and Jackson Webb. Webb’s was enough to bring in Brait to cut into the lead 6-4. The Generals left Trovinger stranded on third base to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 8th, the TomSox were able to do something no team has been able to do this year. They were able to get a hit and a couple runs off of closer Gio Soto (FIU). After all the dust settled in the bottom half of the inning, the TomSox lead 8-4. The top of the 9th proved to be unfruitful for the Gens and that score proved to be the final.
Key Performers for Charlottesville:
- Brett Centracchio: 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R
- Nick DiPonzio: 2-2, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, R
- Cameron Weinberger: W (3-0), 3.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 K
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Chase Cheek (Duke): 2-5, 2B, RBI, R, SB
- Tanner Thomas (Virginia Tech): 2-5, RBI
- Jackson Webb (UCF): 2-3, 2 RBI, SB
- Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss): 2-4, 2B, SB, R
- Alex Brait (FGCU): 2-4, 2B, R
- Alex Harper-Cook (Tennessee): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The Generals will look to snap out of this cold stretch with a home game against the Harrisonburg Turks at Kate Collins Field.
Evan Gillespie’s Outing Spoiled in Loss to Cannons
Gillespie held the Cannons scoreless through 6 full innings Sunday night.
Evan Gillespie (Faulkner) shined on Sunday night against the Purcellville Cannons. However, a lack of run support ended up costing the Generals late in the game.
Both Gillespie and Will Guay, the starting pitcher for Purcellville, pitched well in what proved to be pitchers dual. The first run of the game came in the bottom of the 3rd for the Generals. Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary) worked a one out walk, Tanner Thomas (Virginia Tech) sharply singled, and Andrew Orzel (Wofford) was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the clean-up hitter Chase Cheek (Duke). Cheek was first pitch swinging and hit a sinking line drive to left. Purcellville’s left fielder made a nice sliding catch but wasn’t able to throw out a speedy Kyle Wrighte on the sacrifice fly. The Generals would end up getting two more runners in scoring position, but failed to cash in. That seemed to be a theme throughout the night. However at this point, the Gens led 1-0.
Gillespie didn’t give up a hit until the top of the 4th, but still faced the minimum after he was able to pick the runner off at first base. He managed to get his 4th straight inning with only facing 3 batters. He had thrown 6 scoreless innings when he toed the rubber in the 7th. He gave up a leadoff walk that was sacrifice bunted to second. The runner then managed to steal third to set up Kam Armstrong for a sacrifice fly. The score after 7 was 1-1.
After a 3 up 3 down inning in the bottom of the 7th for the Generals, Hunter Shuff (USC Aiken) entered the ball game. After getting the first out, a swinging bunt started things off. After a fielder’s choice by Purcellville’s leadoff hitter Kenny Oyama, Christian Garabedian stepped in to face Shuff. Oyama would eventually steal second to put himself in scoring position. 3 pitches later, Garabedian smoked a ball down the left field line to plate the go ahead run in the top of the 8th.
The Generals would mount a small rally in the bottom of the 9th, only to fall a bit short. The final score in the ball game was 2-1
Key Performers for Purcellville:
- Christian Garabedian: 1-4, 2B, RBI
- Will Guay: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
- Anthony Zimmerman: SV (2), 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Evan Gillespie (Faulkner): 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
- Tanner Thomas (Virginia Tech): 3-5
- Tyler Trovinger (Oakland): 2-4
The Generals will travel to CVille Weekly Ballpark to take on the Charlottesville TomSox on Monday night. Nathan Schneider (St. Mary’s) will be on the mound.
Late Saturday Night Contest Sees Braves Over Gens
In a ball game that didn’t get started until 8:30 due to wet field conditions, the Braves outlasted the Generals in a tightly contested Saturday night showdown.
Both teams started their offensive nights with runs in the first frame. In the top of the first, Cole Swiger singled to center to start the night for Staunton. After a walk to the next hitter, Staunton elected to play small ball early on and sacrifice the runners to second and third with one out. After a Braves strike out, Will Simoneit hit an infield single to the hole at shortstop to bring in the first run of the game.
The Generals would answer right back. Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss) singled to start the night. Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St) drew a walk to create a carbon copy of the top half of the inning. Chase Cheek (Duke) then went to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but placed it so perfectly that he was able to beat the throw for a bunt single. Andrew Orzel (Wofford) was able to bring in the first General run by taking a pitch off his back for an RBI hit-by-pitch. The bases were still loaded with nobody out when the next hitter rolled into a double play. It did, however, give the Generals the lead at 2-1.
Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) was the starter for the Generals on Saturday night. After giving up a run in the first, he was able to settle in a bit. With 4 hits and 2 walks, he did have to pitch himself out of some jams, but was able to do so masterfully with 6 strikeouts. It was after his 5 innings were up that trouble set in for the Generals. With the new pitcher in the game, the Braves struck for runs in each of the next 3 innings.
In the 6th, the Braves were able to work their first two on by a walk and HBP. They decided to go with the small ball route again and laid down a sacrifice bunt. Justin Beyer (Wagner) was the new pitcher in the game and tried to force a throw into third base, but ended up throwing the ball into left field, allowing a run to score and runners to second and third. After Beyer walked the next hitter, his night was done. The left-handed Bryan Wilcox (FGCU) came into the ball game to try and get out of the jam. He did just that by getting a shallow fly ball to left for out number one and a 4-6-3 double play for outs 2 and 3 to not allow another run to score. The score was now tied at 2-2.
Unfortunately, the 7th didn’t go as smoothly for Wilcox. After a leadoff single, the runner came all the way around to score on a double into the left field gap. Wilcox managed to strike out the next hitter, but that would be the end of his night. He would give way to Matt Nickles (Randolph-Macon). Nickles wouldn’t be able to strand Wilcox’s last runner as he surrendered a two-out RBI single to Brycen Thomas. The score after 7 complete was 4-2.
In the 8th, there was more of the same. A leadoff single started things out for the Braves. Nickles then got what looked like a 6-4-3 double play ball to delete the runner from first. Umpires came together and ruled that the throw pulled the first baseman from the bag. Cole Swiger would make the Gens pay for the mistake by ripping a double into the left center gap for an RBI. After a groundout to second base to move Swiger to third, he came in to score on a wild pitch. That put the Braves on top by 4 and they were never threatened in the late innings.
The Generals were only able to muster 6 hits total in the game. This marks the 8th time in 14 games that the Gens were held to 4 runs or less.
Key Performers for Staunton:
- Cole Swiger: 4-5, RBI 2B, 2 R
- Eric Conner: 1-4, RBI 2B, R
- Braves Bullpen: 4.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K.
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston): ND, 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
- Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss): 2-4, R
- Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary): 2-4, 2B
The Generals will have to sleep fast as they take on the Purcellville Cannons at home on Sunday night at 7 PM at Kate Collins Field.
