Offense Explodes for 12 Runs On 14 Hits
The Generals jumped all over Purcellville’s pitching staff tonight for 12 runs. The pitching staff for Waynesboro was equally impressive with 16 strikeouts.
After a clean top of the first, the Gens wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Kobe Lopez (Florida International) led off the game with a walk, worked his way to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by the second hitter, Joe Kinker (Florida Gulf Coast). Kinker would steal second base two pitches later and would move to third on an infield single by Elijah Quiceno (Gannon U) and then throwing error. Jackson Tate (Alabama) would ground into an RBI fielder’s choice to tack on the second run of the inning.
Purcellville would bounce back in the third inning with a run of their own. Things got started with a lead-off double by Kyle Hayes. He would be brought in to score two batters later on a single by Michael Brewer. Not to be outdone, the Generals would get the run right back in the bottom of the third. When Jackson Tate grounded into a fielder’s choice for the second out of the inning, it looked as if the Gens would go quietly. However, Wes Clarke (South Carolina) hit an RBI triple to deep centerfield. That brought the score back to a 2 run cushion of 3-1.
The game remained close until the bottom of the 5th. The Generals would strike for 5 runs to blow the game open. Cole Jackson (Young Harris) would start things out with an infield single. Jackson Tate would double down the left field line to put runners on second and third. Wes Clarke then singled to bring both runners in for the first 2 runs of the inning. After a fielder’s choice, a Cannons error, and a strikeout, Kobe Lopez would double off the wall in left field to bring both runners in. Kobe would score a few pitches later on a single by Joe Kinker again. The score now read 8-1.
The Generals would tack on another run in the 6th. Cole Jackson started things off with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. After Wes Clarke walked, Jack Murphy (St. Mary’s) grounded into a fielder’s choice to bring in Cole Jackson.
The 7th inning proved to be another fruitful one for Waynesboro as they put up three more runs. Kobe Lopez would get a one-out infield single and would steal second when there was nobody around to cover the bag. Joe Kinker would reach on an error by the shortstop. Santiago Garcia (Alabama St.) stepped up in his pinch hit opportunity and drilled a two RBI single to right field after the right fielder missed the ball, allowing two runs and Garcia to get to third base. Cole Jackson would pick up his 3rd hit of the night to drive in Garcia to make the score 12-1.
The Cannons would add 3 runs in the top of the 8th, but overall, the pitching staff for the Gens was impressive as well. Eric Sapp (Gannon U) led the way with 5 strong innings where he struck out nine batters and picked up his first win of the season.
Key Performers for Purcellville:
Michael Brewer: 3-4, RBI, R
Jose Gutierrez: 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
Kobe Lopez (Florida International): 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
Joe Kinker (Florida Gulf Coast): 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R
Cole Jackson (Young Harris): 3-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R
Wes Clarke (South Carolina): 2-3, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Eric Sapp (Gannon U): W (1-0), 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Dylan Nix (Young Harris): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
The Generals will take tomorrow off but will be back in action at Integrity Home Mortgage Park at Kate Collins Field on Tuesday when the Covington Lumberjacks come back to town.
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 Put Up 20 Runs In Win Over Woodstock
Monday night in Woodstock was the second time this summer that the Gens have put up 20 hits in a game. Both have come within a week of each other. To go along with those 20 hits, they also put up 20 runs.
The Generals started the second half of the year with a bang. They put up 5 runs in the top of the first inning. The first batter of the game was Tyler Bielmaowicz (Houston) and he drew a walk. After recording an out, Bryce Teodosio (Clemson) walked to put runners at first and second. Alex Webb (Chipola) would single to load the bases. Andrew Orzel (Wofford) would be hit by his league leading 14th pitch to bring in the first run. Jackson Webb (UCF) would single through the left side to bring in another run with only one out in the inning. His teammate at UCF, Dalton Wingo, would follow him up with an RBI bases loaded walk. Joe Bellini (Cincinnati) would ground into an RBI fielder’s choice, but when Woodstock tried turning two, the throw was wide of the first baseman to allow another run to score. That would make the score 5-0.
Woodstock showed some fight early by getting on the scoreboard early. It started with a lead-off single by Anthony Cuozzi. He would move to second on a wild pitch, to third on a groundout to the right side, and would score on a 2 out single by Alex Goebel. The score after 1 complete would be 5-1. After the first, the game started to get ugly little by little.
In the second inning, Tyler Bielamowicz led off the inning with his first home run of the summer to make the score 6-1. We move on to the third where the Generals would score again. Dalton Wingo would start things off with a double. Joe Bellini would follow him up with a single. With runners on first and third, Tyler Bielamowicz would bring in another run by way of groundout. A close play at the plate would go in favor of Waynesboro. In the 4th innning, the Generals would score once again. This inning started with another double. This time it was Bryce Teodosio. Teodosio would steal third for Andrew Orzel who would single to bring him in.
It was in the 5th that the Generals started to score more than just one in an inning. They put up 4 runs in the 5th and 4 more in the 6th. The 5th started out with a lead off walk by Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St), a hit-by pitch for Tyler Bielamowicz, a strikeout, and a single by Teodosio to load the bases. After another strike out to make it two outs in the inning, Andrew Orzel drew a bases loaded walk for an RBI. Jackson Webb would try his hand at the bases loaded situation and would also work a walk. Tyler Trovinger (Oakland) would be subbed into the game and would promptly follow suit with another bases loaded walk. Joe Bellini would make it 4 straight with a walk to bring in the 4th and final run of the 5th inning.
In the 6th, the inning was started by Tyler Bielamowicz with more of the same… A walk. Dylan Cloonan (Miami) would then double to put runners at second and third. Teodosio would load the bases with a hit-by-pitch. Alex Webb would contribute a sacrifice fly for the first run in the inning. Orzel would re-load the bases with another walk. Jackson Webb would draw his second bases loaded walk in the last 2 innings. Joe Bellini would hit a 2-out 2 RBI single to right field to bring in the final run of the 6th inning. After 6 complete, the score would read 16-1 in favor of Waynesboro.
The top of the 7th was the only inning the Generals didn’t score in. No worries though, they scored 2 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th. Alex Webb started the 8th with a single. He was followed by a flyout, a walk to Jackson Webb, and a single by Tyler Trovinger to load the bases. Joe Bellini would drive in another run with a single to centerfield. Bruno Teramoto would get in on the fun and drive in a run with a single to left field. That would be the end of that threat. In the 9th, Coach Jeanes would turn to an almost complete pitcher’s lineup. Right Handed Pitcher Fred Villarreal (Houston) would start things out with an infield single. Villarreall would be brought in by a Nick Parr (Oakland), a Right Handed Pitcher. Parr ripped a double over the head of the right fielder to bring in Villarreal. Parr reportedly went to Oakland as a two-way player but the coaching staff elected to keep him as a pitcher only. Hunter Shuff (USC Aiken), another Right Handed Pitcher, would also get in the fun with a single through the right side. Finally, Joe Bellini would drive in Parr for his 6th RBI of the night to bring the score to 20-1. That would be the final score in Woodstock.
Key Performers for Woodstock:
- Brock Johnson: 2-4
- Alex Goebel: 1-2, RBI
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Joe Bellini (Cincinnati): 4-6, 6 RBI, BB
- Bryce Teodosio (Clemson): 3-4, 2B, HBP, BB, 4 R
- Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston): 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, HBP, 4 R
- Jackson Webb (UCF): 1-2, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 2 R
- Andrew Orzel (Wofford): 1-2, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 3 R
- Nick Parr (Oakland): 1-1, 2B, RBI, R
- Graham Ashcraft (Mississippi St): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
- Jacob Weirich (Southern Miss): W (1-1), 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
- Pat O’Shea (St. Mary’s): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The Generals (15-13) will return home on Tuesday night at 7 pm for a divisional match-up with the Harrisonburg Turks at Kate Collins Field.
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.
Comeback Victory Over Harrisonburg Snaps 3-Game Skid
The Waynesboro Generals found themselves in familiar territory Tuesday night at Kate Collins Field. Through 3 and ½ innings, the Gens had the same amount of hits, but were trailing on the scoreboard 3-0. But this time things proved to be a good kind of different as the game went on.
Harrisonburg had scored two in the top of the second after Nick Parr (Oakland) had recorded the first two outs of the inning. The Turks came up with a single to right, a walk, an RBI single, and then the sacrifice the runner on first play came into effect. There were runners on first and third. The runner from first steals second. When the throw from the catcher goes to second base, the runner from first stops in his tracks. This allows time for the runner on third to attempt a steal of home. In this case, it worked successfully for Harrisonburg. After the steal of home, the score was 2-0 in favor of Harrisonburg.
The Turks would score their 3rd unanswered run in the top of the 4th after once again recording the first two outs of the inning. A 2-out hit-by-pitch, a walk, and an RBI single was enough for the Turks to make the score 3-0.
The Gens had been hitting just as much as the Turks, but hadn’t gotten the key hit…. Until the bottom of the 4th. Dalton Wingo (UCF) started things off with a double to right center. Alex Brait (FGCU) drilled a triple into the right center gap right after. Two pitches later and Tyler Trovinger (Oakland) hit an RBI groundout to bring in Brait and tighten the score to 3-2.
In the middle innings, things got a little quiet with 4 half innings in a row of no scoring. In the top of the 7th, the Turks were able to lengthen their lead to 4-2 on the strength of back-to-back singles by Austin Embler and Zach Little, followed by another single by Elian Merejo.
However in the bottom of the 7th, the Gens were able to put together one of their most impressive innings all year. It started with a 1-out single by Jackson Webb (UCF) followed by another single by Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston). During the next at-bat, the Gens performed a double steal with Webb and Bielo. Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary) hit the ball to the shortstop to bring in Webb and move Bielo to third with the score now sitting at 4-3. The Gens would turn to Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss) for the big two-out hit that they had been searching for what felt like all year. On a 1-0 count, Montenegro scorched a single into centerfield to tie the score at 4. The Gens weren’t quite finished yet. Andrew Orzel (Wofford) talked about his prior at-bat in an interview after the game. He said the pitcher threw him a fastball in a good spot to hit, but he was late. He vowed that if he threw him another pitch like that, he would make him pay for it. He did just that on the first pitch of the at-bat. Orzel unloaded on an absolute no-doubter to deep left field to take the lead in the bottom of the 7th 6-4.
A leadoff walk in the top of the 8th would come around to score on 3 wild pitches and would make things a little more interesting. Starting the top of the 9th, the score was 6-5 and Pat O’Shea (St Mary’s) was on for the save. After getting the first 2 Turks out, he allowed a two out single and a walk to put the tying run on second and the go-ahead run on first. Fortunately for the Gens, he got a ground ball to second base to pick up his first save of the year. The win helped Waynesboro snap a 3 game skid.
Key Performers for Harrisonburg:
- Caleb Walls: 2-4
- Austin Embler: 2-5
- Zach Little: 3-5
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Andrew Orzel (Wofford): 3-4, 2B, Go-Ahead 2-R Homer
- Dalton Wingo (UCF): 2-4, 2 2B, R
- Jackson Webb (UCF): 2-3, R
- Pat O’Shea (St Mary’s): SV (1), 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 1 K
The Gens will look to build on Tuesday night’s victory when the Charlottesville TomSox come to town Wednesday night at 7 pm.
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.
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!
