Cardinals Pitching and Defense Shuts Down General Offense
Front Royal’s Christopher Krennrich had it going Tuesday night as he maneuvered his way through an impressive outing. Krennrich threw 6.2 innings, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits. He struck out 9 en route to his first win of this Valley League season.
As for the scoring, it all happened in 2 innings. For Waynesboro, their run came in the 3rd to put them up 1-0. Jackson Webb (UCF) drilled a double into the left field gap to lead off the inning, and on the very next pitch, stole third. After Krennrich struck out a General hitter, Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary) hit a fly ball to straight away right field. Webb was able to score well ahead of the throw. Other than that sequence, the game was all decided in the top of the 5th.
Front Royal started the frame out with Spencer Packard singling to left off of Generals starter Matt Ellmyer (Wofford), who had been dealing to this point. The next hitter hit a ground ball to second that would have most likely been the third double play ball Ellmyer had induced. However, an error put runners on first and third. Two pitches later, brother of starting pitcher Chris, Brandon Krennrich doubled off the wall in right center for 2 RBI, but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple. The double was followed up by a single to put a runner on first with one out. Ellmyer then got yet another ground ball, this time to third base, only for another General error to pop up. One more run came in on an RBI groundout by Andrew Burden. That put our score at 3-1 and that is where it ultimately finished up.
Nathan Schneider gave the Gens a strong 4.2 innings to keep them in the ball game. Waynesboro was able to threaten a couple of times in the 8th and 9th innings, but nothing came out of either inning. The final score came out to be 3-1 in favor of Front Royal.
Key Performers for Front Royal:
- Christopher Krennrich: W (1-0), 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 9 K
- Brandon Krennrich: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
- Andrew Burden: 1-4, RBI
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Matt Ellmyer (Wofford): L (0-2), 4.1 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K
- Nathan Schneider (St Marys): 4.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K
- Alex Webb (Chipola): 3-4, 2B
- Jackson Webb (UCF): 2-3, 2B, SB, R
Head Coach John Jeans’ team will be back in action tomorrow night when they travel to Rebel Park to take on New Market.
Season Preview for 2018 Waynesboro Generals
The Generals are coming off a 2017 season that saw them earn a record of 20-22, good enough for third place in the South division. After a two game sweep of Harrisonburg in the first round of the playoffs the Gens were ousted by eventual VBL Champions, the Charlottesville Tom Sox. With the new operation team of Brent Ward and Kathleen Kellett-Ward, along with new head coach John Jeanes from Chipola College in Florida, the new-look Generals will look to compete for the organization’s 4th VBL Championship in the last 10 years, and 7th in its history.
The Wards feel confident that the Generals will have a terrific season with their new coach. “John has a diverse and successful record in playing, coaching and recruiting baseball,” said the Wards. “We are very excited to see how he inspires our team!”
Coach Jeanes shares that same excitement and eagerness. “I’m extremely excited to accept the position as Manager for the Waynesboro Generals. It is a honor to be a part of a first class organization,” Jeanes stated. “I hope to lead these young men in the right direction not only to make them better baseball players on the field, but better human beings off.”
With an off-season filled with tweaks and changes, the Generals welcome back two returners from last year’s squad.
Tyler Thompson, from Knoxville, Tennessee, and Austin Peay State University, returns to the Generals this summer after a stellar 2017 campaign where he posted a 2.97 ERA in 13 appearances. “I’m super excited to come back to Waynesboro,” said the 6-6 right-hander. “Last year was an awesome experience that came up too short. I’m excited to be back with new teammates and blessed to be staying with the Hendersons once again. I have the best 50/50 stretch in the league, so make sure you come out for the raffle! Go Gens!”
Patrick O’Shea, the Concord, California, native has come back for another year in Waynesboro. Pat hails from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, and was a mainstay in the General bullpen, throwing 26 innings in 11 appearances. “I came back this summer because of how much fun I had last year,” said O’Shea. “I had a great experience, and one of the best summers of my life. I can’t wait to get back to Kate Collins field!”
General Manager, Tyler Hoffman, says he’s excited for another summer with Waynesboro. “We feel as if we’ve put together a great new staff and a roster that will represent this community well,” said Hoffman. “We will strive to not only put a premier product on the field, but give everyone affordable, family-friendly entertainment. We can’t thank this community enough for giving these players an opportunity.” The Gens open up Friday night June 1st in Covington. The home opener is Saturday night June 2nd at 7 pm against the reigning VBL champions, Charlottesville Tom Sox.
The Generals invite you, your family, and friends to Kate Collins field for a fun-filled summer!
John Jeanes Hired as New Head Coach for the Waynesboro Generals
Waynesboro, Virginia
John Jeanes has just been hired to coach next season’s Waynesboro Generals. New leadership Brent Ward and Kathleen Kellett-Ward feel confident that The Generals will have a terrific season with their new coach. “John has a diverse and successful record in playing, coaching and recruiting baseball,” said the Ward’s. “We are very excited to see how he inspires our team!”
John was a four-year starter at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut where he received his Bachelors in Sports Management. As a pitcher, he finished 4 th in career innings pitched and 5th in strikeouts, as well as 6th in all-time appearances. The staff set the three lowest team ERAs in program history. John began his coaching career with the Ohio Warhawks; where his staff won the Past-Time National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana. In his two summers with the Warhawks, their combined record was 90-7 with a sub 2.50 ERA.
Jeanes’ first stint in collegiate coaching was in 2014 at the University of The Cumberland’s in Williamsburg, Kentucky where he took a pitching staff with only 1 senior and no returning starters and was able to produce a staff that tallied 31 wins. The staff included 3 sophomores who logged 180 innings and still had the lowest walk total since the 2009 season. Following his 2014 season, Jeanes was hired as the Recruiting Coordinator/Pitching Coach at Middle Georgia State University where he led the Knights to 2 regional appearances, a .710 winning percentage, 4 All-American Awards and 12 All-SSAC Players, including a Pitcher of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Freshman of the Year in only 2 recruiting classes.
In August of 2017, Jeanes was hired as the Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at Chipola College in Florida. Shortly after, Jeanes posted a nationally ranked recruiting class for the defending NJCAA Division 1 National Champions.
“I’m extremely excited to accept the position as Manager for the Waynesboro Generals. It is a honor to be a part of a first class organization,” John stated. “I hope to lead these young men in the right direction not only to make them better baseball players on the field but better human beings off.”
John plans to bring this organization and community a product they can truly be proud of as well as be involved with for many years to come.
Coach Jeanes, General Manager Tyler Hoffman, and new leadership Brent Ward and Kathleen Kellett-Ward look forward to a great season and a successful future with the Waynesboro Generals. Waynesboro Amateur Athletics Inc is a 501(c)(3) corporation. Your donation is greatly appreciated. Visit waynesborogenerals.net for more information and game schedules.
