Generals Post 7-4 Win Over Harrisonburg

Entering the game, Waynesboro led the season series with Harrisonburg 3 games to 1. The Generals offense would bust out 7 runs on 10 hits and the pitching staff would do a lot of “bending but not breaking” to bring home their 4th win in the series.

The Generals would take the lead early on with 2 runs in the bottom of the first inning and wouldn’t look back. Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) would lead things off with a single to left. He would be followed up with what looked to be a routine single to center by Chase Cheek (Duke), but the ball got underneath the glove of the Turks centerfielder and allowed runners to advance to make it second and third with nobody out in the inning. Alex Brait (Florida Gulf Coast) wouldn’t waste much time and would single to center to drive both runners in.

The Turks would turn right around and make things a bit closer by scoring in the top of the second. They used back-to-back one-out singles to get a rally started. Generals starter Fred Villarreal (Houston) would do a nice job at minimizing the inning, and would only allow a sacrifice fly to the next hitter and would put out the next batter for out number 3. Heading to the bottom of the second, the score read 2-1 in favor of the Gens.

In the bottom of the second, the Generals would get the run they gave up right back. Dalton Wingo (UCF) would lead things off with a single. He would work his way all the way over to third via wild pitches and passed balls. Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St) would bring in Wingo with a double down the left field line. The Generals got the score back up to 3-1.

Things would settle down a bit after the first two. Villarreal would start to cruise, as would Eli Ellington for Harrisonburg. Ellington was subbed in after just 2 innings out of the Harrisonburg starter. Hits and runs would begin to resurface again for both teams in the 5th. The Turks would pull a bit closer after a lead-off single and a hit batsmen would move to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. With one away in the inning, the Turks looked prime to tie the game when Austin Embler would shoot a single to center to drive in one. However, Villarreal then got a tapper back to the mound for out number two and would punch out the 3-hole hitting player for the Turks with 2 runners in scoring position. The Gens would cling to a 1 run lead after 4 and a half innings.

The Gens would answer right back in the bottom half of the 5th. Chase Cheek would work his way on by way of error. Ellington and the Turks would record 2 harmless outs after Cheek. Andrew Orzel (Wofford) would wear his league leading 16th pitch to make it first and second with 2 away. Jackson Webb (UCF) would load the bases with a walk to end Ellington’s night on the mound. Dalton Wingo would draw an RBI bases loaded walk to bring in the first run. He would be followed up with an RBI single by Joe Bellini (Cincinnati) but the inning would end on that play when the center fielder for the Turks threw out Webb trying to score. After 5 complete, the Generals would lead by a score of 5-2.

In the 6th, things would get a bit sticky. Villarreal would leave the game after only being able to record 1 out in the 6th. He left with the bases loaded and one out. Matt Nickles (Randolph-Macon) would come in and get the ground ball he was looking for. The Gens would turn a smooth 6-4-3 double play to escape with no damage done. The Generals would ride that momentum in the bottom of the 6th and would lengthen their lead by another run. Tyler Bielamowicz would single with one out in the inning. After a passed ball moved him to second, Chase Cheek came up with a double to left center to bring him in. The score would stand at 6-2.

The Turks would crack Nickles in the 7th inning and would touch him up for 2 innings. But when the duo of Alex Harper-Cook (Tennessee) and Aron Solis (Texas Southern) came on, the Turks didn’t have an answer. In the bottom of the 7th, the Gens would add an insurance run for a little more breathing room. Dalton Wingo would work his way on base yet again in the inning. He walked with one out. After a passed ball, Joey Bellini moved him to third on the strength of a base hit to right. Bruno Teramoto was able to bring in Wingo by sending a slow groundball to the third baseman. The Turks weren’t able to turn the double play quick enough for the speedy Teramoto. The score would move to 7-4.

From there, Aron Solis came on in the 8th and threw 2 dominant innings to pick up his second save of the year.

Key Performers for Harrisonburg:

  • Austin Embler: 2-5, RBI
  • Andrew Llewellyn: 2-2, Sac Fly, RBI
  • Paul Castillo: 1-4, SB, R

Key Performers for Waynesboro:

  • Fred Villarreal (Houston): W (1-1), 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
  • Aron Solis (Texas Southern): SV (2), 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
  • Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston): 2-5, 2 R
  • Chase Cheek (Duke): 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R
  • Alex Brait (FGCU): 1-3, BB, 2 RBI
  • Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St): 1-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, BB

The Generals (16-13) win their 3rd in a row and 6th out of their last 7. They’ll take their win streak on the road Wednesday night when they travel up to Bridgeforth Field in Winchester when they take on the Royals.


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.


Generals Snap 3-Game Skid In Win Over Front Royal

The Generals had lost 3 straight games to drop under the .500 mark coming into the game Sunday night against the Front Royal Cardinals at Bing Crosby Stadium. The bats came alive for 13 hits to propel them to a win over the North Division leaders.

The scoring started in the top of the 3rd. With one out in the inning, Dalton Wingo (Central Florida)

Dalton Wingo: 3-3, 2B, HR, 3 R

connected on his 2nd homer of the season to begin his fantastic night at the plate. Then in the third inning, Jackson Webb (Central Florida) led off the inning with a single, stole second, and was brought into score on a Chase Cheek (Duke) grounder that couldn’t be handled by the second baseman. The lead after 4 complete innings was 2-0 in favor of the Generals.

Once again, the 5th inning began with a lead-off single. This time it was Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) getting things started. Dalton Wingo then doubled off the wall in left field to put runners at second and third with nobody out. Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary) came through next with a single to score Bielo. After the RBI single, Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss) hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Wingo. Going to the bottom of the 5th, the Generals led 4-0.

The Cardinals wouldn’t go away quietly. Evan Gillespie (Faulkner U) was throwing a gem, but would stumble just slightly in the 5th. After getting the first hitter of the inning to fly out, Gillespie gave up a walk and 2 doubles to the next three hitters. However, he would do a nice job working out of the inning with the last double being left stranded at second base. The lead was still intact at 4-2 Waynesboro.

In the top of the 6th, the Generals would make it 4 straight innings with a run. Tyler Trovinger (Oakland) would start the inning off with a single to left. 2 batters later, Dalton Wingo would contribute his third hit in as many at bats. That brought Kyle Wrighte to the plate with runners at first and second with 2 outs. After going down 0-2 in the count, Wrighte scorched a double off the wall in right field to bring in both runners.

Matt Nickles (Randolph-Macon) would sub in for Gillespie in the 6th. He worked a perfect two innings, facing the minimum 6 batters. After 7 complete innings, the Generals led 6-2.

In the bottom of the 8th, the Generals ran into some trouble. The inning seemed to be all but over after recording outs on the first two hitters of the inning. However, Spencer Packard drilled a home run to start a string of 5 straight 2-out hits. Christian Avant hits a double 2 pitches later, followed by Kendall Small hitting a no-doubter to right field. The Generals would then bring in Patrick O’Shea (St Mary’s) for the struggling Jacob Weirich (Southern Miss). O’Shea would surrender 2 straight singles and his night would be finished as well. So with 2 outs in the inning, Coach John Jeanes (Chipola) would turn to his closer Gio Soto (Florida International) for a four out save.

Soto came on, got out of the inning, and then threw a dominant 9th inning to lock down his 3rd save of the year.

Key Performers for Front Royal:

  • Andrew Burden: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
  • Spencer Packard: 1-3 HR (1)
  • Kendall Small: 1-4, 2-Run HR (1)

Key Performers for Waynesboro:

  • Chase Cheek (Duke): 2-5, 2 SB(3)
  • Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary): 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI
  • Dalton Wingo (Central Florida): 3-3, 2B, HR(2), 3 R
  • Evan Gillespie (Faulkner U): W (1-0), 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Gio Soto (Florida International): SV(3), 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K 

The Generals (5-5) will be looking for back-to-back wins tomorrow, Monday June 18th, when they take on the South Division leaders, the Charlottesville TomSox (8-3). Come out this week and support your Generals. They will have home games Monday and Tuesday (Charlottesville both nights), Thursday (Strasburg), Saturday (Staunton), and Sunday (Purcellville).

Bring your friends and family to Kate Collins field for some high-quality baseball this week. Hope to see you there!


Generals Use Huge 6th Inning to Top Purcellville

The Generals found themselves trailing 1-0 after 5 complete on the road in Purcellville. A big 6th inning, along with a solid outing from the pitching staff, prevented them from losing their third straight.

After the Cannons scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the third, Generals starting pitcher, Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston), worked his way through his outing with 6 strikeouts. He went 4 innings, allowed 2 hits and a run. Matt Nickles (Randolph-Macon) came in to relieve while the Generals were behind 1-0. He threw 2 innings and only gave up a single hit. He earned his first win of the year. Patrick O’Shea (St Mary’s) was the bridge to the 9th. He managed to throw 2 innings, giving up 3 hits, a walk, but striking out 4. This paved the way for Gio Soto (Florida International) to throw a clean 9th for his 2nd save of the year.

As for the offense, Jordan Ammons (Mercer) stepped in to start off the 6th, and immediately drilled a double into the right center gap. He was moved to third by Kyle Wrighte (W&M) on a ground ball to the right side. 2 batters later, Chase Cheek (Duke) drove in Ammons with an infield single. Cheek’s single was the beginning of 4 straight two out hits, including RBI doubles by Alex Webb (Chipola) and Tyler Trovinger (Oakland).

Key Performers for Purcellville:

  • Jacob Freeland: 3-4, 2B
  • Blade Baker: 1-2, BB, R, SB

 

Key Performers for Waynesboro:

  • Chase Cheek (Duke): 3-4, SB, R, RBI
  • Tyler Trovinger (Oakland): 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI

 

The Generals (4-3) will be back in action tomorrow night at home vs. the Covington Lumberjacks (6-3) at 7 pm. Waynesboro will turn to Justin Beyer (Niagara County CC) on the hill.


Generals Hold Off Cannons in 9th for Third Straight Win

The Purcellville Cannons entered the 9th inning needing 3 to tie the game. They loaded the bases with no outs, but the Generals managed to hold on to gain their third win in a row.

There was no shortage of hits in the ball game with the teams combining for 24 hits. There were only 3 full innings that didn’t see at least one team scoring, making for a fun night for a big crowd at Kate Collins Field.

The Generals wasted no time getting on the board. In what became a familiar sight during tonight’s ball game, Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary) worked his way on in the first with a walk, stole a base and eventually came around to score on a Tyler Trovinger (Oakland) single. Then in the 3rd inning, Wrighte worked his way on with another walk, stole second and third on consecutive pitches, and was brought in by a Trovinger single. Trovinger also scored in the 3rd on a sacrifice fly to right by Andrew Orzel (Wofford).

Tyler Thompson (Austin Peay) started the game on the mound for the Gens, and worked a stellar four innings in his first appearance back in Waynesboro. When he gave way to Alex Harper-Cook (Tennessee) in the 5th, the Cannons put themselves on the scoreboard with a 2 RBI single from Dillon Reed to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Gens. In the bottom half of the 5th, Dalton Wingo (UCF) stole second to get into scoring position after his infield single to give Orzel another RBI opportunity. Orzel took advantage with a single to center to bring around the speedy Wingo. Orzel, after moving to 2nd base on the play at the plate on Wingo, stole third and was able to score on a throwing error by catcher TK McWhertor to move the score to 5-2.

Purcellville put up runs in the 6th and the 8th innings. Both were Matt Koehler coming around on two Blake Simmons singles. We headed to the bottom of the 8th with the Generals clinging to a one run lead. After a one-out double by Cody Warner (VMI), Kyle Wrighte came up large, once again, with an RBI single to left field. He ended up scoring on a bloop single by, you guessed it, Tyler Trovinger.

However, Purcellville didn’t go away quietly. Matt Nickles (Randolph-Macon Col.) threw an effective two innings but ran out of gas in the top of the 9th after surrendering a walk and a single. Patrick O’Shea (St Mary’s) came in to provide relief for a second straight night. O’Shea came in and immediately gave up an RBI single to Kenny Oyama and walked Jacob Freeland. The bases were loaded, nobody was out, and the Cannons were down two. O’Shea struck out the next two batters on 3 ball 2 strike counts, and finished the game by getting a ground ball to third.

Key Performers for Purcellville:

  • Blake Simmons: 3-4, 2 RBI
  • Dillon Reed: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI

Key Performers for Waynesboro:

  • Tyler Thompson: (ND) 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
  • Kyle Wrighte: 2-3, 2 1B, RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 SB
  • Tyler Trovinger: 3-5, 3 1B, 3 RBI

The Generals will look for their 4th straight win tomorrow night in Charlottesville when they take on the Tom Sox. Something has to give, as the Sox have a 4-game winning streak. The Generals will send right-hander Matt Ellmyer (0-1) to the mound for a good Friday night South division matchup.