Generals Win in Walk-Off Fashion Over Strasburg in 11
In a game that saw Strasburg out-hit Waynesboro 14 to 6, both teams were stuck on 3 after the first 9 innings. In the bottom of the 11th, it was a sacrifice fly from Joe Bellini (Cincinnati) that walked it off and gave the Gens their 2nd win in a row.
Both teams started quickly by scoring in the first frame. After 1 full inning, the score was tied 1-1. Strasburg manufactured their runs by picking up a few infield singles. The first was a liner off of the starting pitcher Nathan Schneider (St. Mary’s) with one out in the inning. He was moved to second base on a groundout and ended up scoring on a weird play that resulted in an RBI infield single.
In the bottom of the inning, Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) led the game off with a walk and Blake Johnson (Alabama Birmingham) followed him up with a single to center. Later in the inning, Andrew Orzel (Wofford) came through with a two out RBI single but Johnson was thrown out at the plate attempting to score. The Gens would also score in the bottom of the 2nd inning to take a 2-1 lead. They were able to load the bases but only scored one on the strength of a sacrifice fly by Tyler Bielamowicz.
The Generals would lengthen their lead by scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the 5th. Blake Johnson would work his way on with 2 outs in the inning by way of a walk. When the Strasburg pitcher attempted to pick off Johnson, the first baseman assumed he was throwing to the plate. The ball sailed way down into the right field corner. Johnson, who was stealing on first movement, was able to come all the way around to score on the play.
The Express were able to tie the game in the top of the 6th after the rally started with a two out single. It was followed with another single, but the runner moved up to second on the throw to third. A run scored on a dropped third strike and followed with an RBI single. After 6 the score was tied at 3. Neither team was able to push across any more runs until the bottom of the 11th inning. The first two runners worked their way on by drawing a walk and forcing an error by the shortstop. After 2 failed bunt attempts by Joe Bellini, the Gens caught a break with a wild pitch. Bellini then hit the next pitch into right center. Justin Hayes, the Strasburg centerfielder made a highlight reel type catch, but Keegan Morrow (Alabama Birmingham) was able to easily tag up and score the winning run.
Key Performers for Strasburg:
- Colton Schultz: 3-6, RBI
- Hogan Brown: 2-6, RBI
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Hunter Shuff (USC Aiken): W (1-2), 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
- Aron Solis (Texas Southern): 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
- Nathan Schneider (St. Mary’s): ND, 6+ IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
- Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St.): 2-4, BB
- Joe Bellini (Cincinnati): 1-2, Walk-Off RBI
The Generals (20-15) will be back in action tomorrow night at home when they take on the Woodstock River Bandits.
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.
Gens Outlast Turks In Walk-Off Fashion
After what turned into a little bit of a chippy affair between the Generals and Turks, Alex Brait (FGCU) delivered a walk-off single to get the last laugh over the Turks.
Both starting pitchers had their good stuff working for the first half of the game on Monday night. Jake Brace for the Turks was the first to be cracked, while Nathan Schneider (St. Mary’s) was a bit more masterful in what was originally a pitcher’s dual. Schneider actually worked the first 4.2 innings in perfect fashion until he gave up back-to-back singles with 2 away in the inning. He was able to keep the shut-out in tact by stopping the threat there with one of his seven punch outs on the night.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Gens drew first blood by starting a rally with 2 outs in the inning. Joe Bellini (Cincinnati) started things off with his first hit of the summer since joining the Gens only 2 games prior to Monday night. The hit was a double down the right field line to get him into scoring position for the top of the lineup and the hot-hitting, Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss). Montenegro was able to hit one into the hole at shortstop, but it was fielded cleanly by the Turks. However, the long and off-balance throw across the diamond was a bit wide of the mark. This errant throw allowed Bellini to score from second on an infield single. The Gens kept the line moving on a single to right by Chase Cheek (Duke) that brought Montenegro to third for Andrew Orzel (Wofford). Orzel promptly singled for the Generals 4th straight hit in the inning to score Montenegro. The Generals now had a 2 run lead for Nathan Schneider.
In the 6th is where the in-game drama began. A 1-out single started the inning for the Turks. The runner then moved up to second on a pickoff attempt that trickled into the dugout. After Schneider got another Turk to go down swinging for out number 2, he gave up an infield single to Zach Little. Runners were now on the corners for Paul Castillo, the cleanup hitter for Harrisonburg. After a 2-0 pitch caught the corner, Schneider called his catcher Alex Brait (FGCU) out to the mound. Nate had noticed that the hitter Castillo was peaking at Brait’s pitch calling signs. When Brait confronted Castillo, things got a bit heated. Brait and Castillo had to be separated, and both coaches came out to calm their players down. Once things got settled down, the very next pitch to Castillo was hit into left field for an RBI single. When Castillo got too big of a round of first, he got caught in a run down that allowed Little to score on a single from 1st base to tie the game at 2.
The Generals would bounce right back, but the chippyness continued. Jackson Webb (UCF) started the hitting with a 1-out infield single. Tyler Trovinger (Oakland) then drilled another single to center to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Bellini would come up with his second hit to make it 3 straight singles, but this time, the centerfielder botched the ground ball rolling towards him to allow both runs to score and Bellini to move up to second. Gabe Montenegro then worked a walk off of the new pitcher Connor Roberts. With men on 1st and 2nd, Chase Cheek ripped a single to right that scored Bellini and moved Montenegro to 3rd. During Andrew Orzel’s at-bat, Cheek stole second to open up a base. After Orzel struck out, the next hitter was Alex Brait. It all seemed to be a perfect storm for Harrisonburg. The player that confronted a Turk was at the plate with a base open and 2 outs in the inning. On the very first pitch of the at-bat, Alex Brait was hit by a fastball. Home plate umpire Mike Mackey immediately ejected Roberts for what looked to be an intentional bean ball. With all this told, the Generals had scored 3 runs to put themselves on top, 5-2.
After a clean 7th by both teams, Schneider would be back on the mound to try for his 8th inning of work. After a lead-off walk in the inning, the Gens would turn to Hunter Shuff (USC Aiken) to try and strand Schneider’s runner. Unfortunately, Shuff had some issues. He walked the first batter he saw to put runners on 1st and 2nd and then gave up a single to load the bases. He was able to get an out on a fielder’s choice, but a run scored. The score was now 5-3 with runners on the corner and 1 out. Shuff then walked the next hitter to load the bases again. Luke Nussman got another run in on a sac fly, but there were now 2 outs and runners at first and second. Elian Merejo came up huge with a sharply hit single to right field that was able to score Little on a close play at the plate. The score was now tied after the Turks had their chance to hit in the 8th.
In the bottom half of the 8th, it looked like the Gens were destined to score when they loaded the bases with nobody out. Harrisonburg turned to Cade Bullinger to try and get them out of a tough mess. He did just that with a strikeout, a pop-up in the infield, and a ground ball to third base to not allow a run. Alex Harper-Cook (Tennessee) came on to try and hold off the Turks to give his offense a chance to win it in a walk-off. He did just that by working 2 perfect innings in the top of the 9th and 10th.
In the 10th the Generals would have to try and figure out Bullinger, who was looking dominant. But after the lead-off double by Gabe Montenegro down the left field line, Bullinger’s job would become much tougher. Cheek was the next batter and successfully sacrificed himself to move Gabe to 3rd. The Turks chose to intentionally walk Andrew Orzel to get to the controversial figurehead of the night, Alex Brait. On a 1-2 count, Brait was able to put good wood onto a fastball to single to left to end the ball game. The Generals had walked it off in the 10th to win 6-5 for their second straight win.
Key Performers for Harrisonburg:
- Elian Merejo: 3-4, 2B, RBI
- Zach Little: 1-5, SB, RBI, 2 R
- Cade Bullinger: L (0-1), 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 IBB, 3 K
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Alex Brait (FGCU): 3-5, Walk-Off RBI
- Chase Cheek (Duke): 3-5, 2B, SB, RBI
- Nate Schneider (St. Mary’s): ND, 7+ IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
- Alex Harper-Cook (Tennessee): W (2-0), 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
- Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss): 3-5, 2B, 2 R
The Generals (11-12) will try to get back to the .500 mark with their game at Rebel Park Tuesday night when they take on New Market. The game is slated for 7:30. A win would make 3 in a row for the Generals.
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.
Waynesboro Tops Staunton On the Road
There wasn’t much hitting going on Wednesday night at John Moxie Stadium at Gypsy Hill Park. However, the hitting that did happen was in timely situations. The teams combined for 7 hits all night.
The Generals struck quickly with a 2-out homerun from Chase Cheek (Duke) to move the score to 1-0 early on.
The story of the ball game came from Waynesboro starting pitcher Nathan Schneider (St Mary’s). He threw 5 innings of no-hit baseball while striking out 3. The one runner that reached base on him was via the walk in the third inning. Schneider has now put together some impressive outings. In his last 9.2 IP, he’s only allowed 1 hit.
The 5th and 6th innings are where the Generals did most of their damage. In the 5th, one-out back-to-back walks to Alex Brait (Florida Gulf Coast) and Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) started the inning. Two batters later, a walk for Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss) loaded the bases. Jackson Webb (UCF) came through with a 2 RBI single. Gabe Montenegro also scored in the inning on a wild pitch. The score moved to 4-0 through 4 ½ innings. As mentioned, Schneider continued his dominance in the bottom of the 5th to set his team up for another good inning in the top of the 6th.
A walk to Dalton Wingo (UCF) with one away in the inning was the only baserunner on for Alex Brait, who unloaded on a full count pitch for his first homer of the year to move the score to 6-0. The Generals seemed to be in complete control.
The Braves managed to manufacture a run in the bottom of the 8th with a lead-off walk moving to second on a wild pitch, advancing to third on a long fly ball to center field, and scoring on a single. Through 8 innings, the score was 6-1 and the Generals had held the opposition to only 2 hits.
The Braves also tacked a run on in the 9th to make the final 6-2, but never really threatened the lead of Waynesboro.
Key Performers for Staunton:
- Dean Hermanson: 2-2, RBI
- Ryan Flores: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Jackson Webb (UCF): 1-4, 2 RBI
- Chase Cheek (Duke): 1-4, Solo HR (1)
- Alex Brait (Florida Gulf Coast): 1-3, 2-R HR (1), BB
- Nathan Schneider (St Mary’s): W (1-0), 5 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K
The Generals were rained out on Thursday night at home vs. the Strasburg Express, but will be back in action Friday night on the road in Harrisonburg. The Generals will be looking to avenge the loss they took at the hands of the Turks a week ago.
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.
Trio of Gaels Heading to Waynesboro; O’Shea to Return
Waynesboro, Virginia
For the fourth consecutive summer, the St. Mary’s College Gaels will be sending players across the country to Waynesboro. St. Mary’s College and Coach Valenzuela’s staff, which even features former Generals’ pitching coach, Ross Gusky, has become a loyal partner of the Waynesboro Generals.
Featured in the 2018 group of Gaels is left-handed pitcher Patrick O’Shea, a key bullpen arm from the Generals’ 2017 season. O’Shea will be joined by right-handed arm Nathan Schneider and infielder Bill Ralston.
Patrick O’Shea – LHP
A native of Concord, California, the 6’5 180-pound sophomore made 12 appearances out of the bullpen for the Generals in 2017. The left-handed O’Shea finished with a 2-2 record and 3.30 ERA over 30 innings pitched. O’Shea’s best outing came in the Valley Baseball League semifinals against the Charlottesville TomSox, as threw 4.0 innings of relief, giving up 3 hits, 1 earned run while striking out 4.
Nathan Schneider – RHP
A native of San Dimas, California, the 6’2 205-pound freshman came to St. Mary’s as a highly touted recruit. Schneider was ranked by Perfect Game as the 417th best right-handed pitcher in the country’s class of 2017. He was also ranked by Perfect Game as the state of California’s 54th best right-handed pitcher and 169th overall recruit. The 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American is expected to be a key part of the Gaels’ future.
Bill Ralston – INF
A native of Clayton, California, the 6’0 180-pound freshman came to St. Mary’s after stand-out career at Clayton Valley Charter, where he was ranked by Perfect Game as the state of California’s 81st best shortstop and 393rd overall recruit. Ralston, a versatile left-handed hitting infielder will be another key contributor to the Gaels’ future.
Waynesboro Amateur Athletics Inc is a 501(c)(3) corporation. Your donation is greatly appreciated. Visit waynesborogenerals.net for more information and game schedules.
