2019 Regular Season Recap
The Generals put together their best regular season since the team was created in 1935. They finished with the best record in the league of 31-11. After starting the year 6-5, the Gens won 25 out of their last 31 games. They had three separate winning streaks of at least five games. Those three streaks include the last five games of the regular season that the Gens were able to win. They enter the playoffs hot at the right time.
Offensively, the Gens put up a .285 batting average with just under 100 doubles and 41 long balls. A big contributor in those categories was Wes Clarke (Forest, VA | South Carolina). Wes finished fifth in the league in hitting with a .364 batting average. He led the team in doubles with 14 and home runs with six. Other key players in getting the batting average up to that high number of .285 were Connor Norby (Kernersville, NC | East Carolina) with a .333 batting average with 4 triples and 4 homers, Jack Murphy (Orinda, CA | St. Mary’s) with a .314 batting average with 11 doubles, three home runs, and 25 RBI, and finally, Gunner Peterson (Salem, WI | Illinois St.) with a .321 batting average with three home runs. The team didn’t just sit around and wait for extra base hits either. They were able to steal 65 bases. Jackson Tate (Pike Road, AL | Alabama) stole 12 to lead the team. Kobe Lopez (Orlando, FL | Florida International) stole 11 bases to follow up Tate. Finally, Bryson Worrell (Sims, NC | East Carolina) stole eight to round out the top three. With all these extra base hits and stolen bases, it should come as no surprise that the team averaged right around eight runs per game. The top five run scorers on the team were Kobe Lopez with 37, Wes Clarke with 33, Jackson Tate with 32, Connor Norby with 31, and Jack Murphy and Joey Kinker (North Port, FL | Florida Gulf Coast) tied with 30. The people with the highest amount of runs driven in looks pretty similar to the people that have scored the most runs. Top five RBI men were Jackson Tate with 31, Wes Clarke with 29, Jack Murphy with 25, Kobe Lopez with 23, and Eli Quiceno (Berryville, VA | Gannon University) with 21. Finally, the Gens organization wants to thank our top five guys in games played. These guys brought it every night for the team and never complained once. Kobe Lopez and Joey Kinker with 40 games played, Jackson Tate and Jack Murphy with 38 games played, Wes Clarke with 37, and Ethan Cady (Soddy Daisy, TN | East Tennessee State) with 32.
Those offensive numbers were phenomenal considering the team’s pitching was so dominant. There were some nights where the pitching had to carry the load, and this team could do it with starters or a suffocating bullpen. Our top 5 pitchers for wins include Deven Judy (Belle Vernon, PA | Gannon University), Zach Kirby (Upland, CA | East Tennessee State), Zach Blankenship (Fleming Island, FL | Valdosta St), Luke Short (Los Gatos, CA | St. Mary’s), and Tyler Shuck (Cape Coral, FL | Florida Gulf Coast). The five-man tie for the team lead in wins saw them get three wins. As for the suffocating bullpen, the team picked up a total of nine saves. McLain Harris (Griffin, GA | Young Harris Col) led the team with three, Christian Edwards (Hartselle, AL | Jacksonville State) had two, and a host of players with one apiece. They include Nick Zegna (Newark, DE | George Mason), Christian Dearman (Pembroke Pines, FL | Florida International), Jan Figueroa (Trujillo Alto, PR | Florida International), and Matt Mercer (Chattanooga, TN | East Tennessee State). The team’s ERA was 3.72 and the total amount of runs given up per game sat at just 4.70. The top five players in ERA for the team were Christian Dearman with a 0.45 ERA, McLain Harris with a 0.85 ERA, Luke Short with a 2.18, Jan Figueroa with a 2.82 ERA, and Deven Judy with a 3.21. The staff was able to strike out a little over nine per game to take pressure off the defense. The top five strikeout men were McLain Harris with 31, Zach Kirby with 29, Deven Judy and Daniel Casto (Olive Branch, MS | Memphis) with 27, and Tyler Shuck and Luke Short with 26.
With the playoffs set, let’s look at how the Generals fared against the possible opponents from both divisions.
#2 Seed in the South: Charlottesville Tom Sox
The Gens were 4-2 against their rivals from just down I-64. However, the Generals won their last four decisions against the Tom Sox. The last time the Tom Sox were victorious over the Gens, it took 10 innings on June 21st. The Tom Sox scored an unearned run in the 10th to win by a score of 2-1. That moved the season series to 2-0 in favor of the Tom Sox. However, the Generals rattled off four straight wins to win the season series. That included three consecutive games for the Generals from July 4th to July 8th.
#3 Seed in the South: Covington Lumberjacks
The Gens were 5-1 against the Jacks on the season. The one victory that the Jacks had against the Gens came on June 4th. They also had a very good opportunity to win a back end of a double header vs. the Gens on July 18th, but the Gens mounted a comeback from three runs down in the top of the sixth of a seven inning game with five runs to win the game 5-4.
#4 Seed in the South: Staunton Braves
The rivalry was a bit one-sided in the regular season. The Gens won all six matchups between the two teams. The Braves had a very good chance on June 26th. The bases were empty in the ninth with two outs in the inning and they were leading by three runs at their home ball park. However, the Gens mounted a comeback that was highlighted by a game-tying 3-run homer by Joey Kinker to tie it up. The Gens would eventually win in the 10th.
#1 Seed in the North: Strasburg Express
The Gens were 3-0 against the North division’s top team. This includes the 17-4 victory in Strasburg on the final day of the regular season for the Gens to clinch the best win-loss record in team history. The other two matchups between the teams saw the Gens winning by a margin of four runs each time.
#2 Seed in the North: Woodstock River Bandits
The Gens finished 2-1 against the River Bandits this season. The two wins they had against Woodstock were both high-scoring affairs. The Gens took the first matchup 20-10 in Woodstock. They mounted a five run comeback in the ninth to tie and eventually win the game in the 11th inning in the second matchup. Finally, the River Bandits came up with a victory against the Gens in Woodstock.
#3 Seed in the North: New Market Rebels
The Gens lost the season series 2-1 to the Rebels this season. The Rebels were only one of two teams in the entire Valley League that had a winning record vs the Generals. The Gens took the opening game in New Market on June 6th by a score of 13-5. But The Rebels swept a double header at Kate Collins Field on June 16th. The Rebels took both games by one run. The first game finished at 5-4 and the second finished at 2-1.
#4 Seed in the North: Winchester Royals
The Winchester Royals were the other of the two teams that had winning records vs. the Gens this summer. The first matchup on June 27th saw the Gens pick up their one win over Winchester with a 10-6 score. A go-ahead 3-run homer by Ethan Cady in the bottom of the 5th would prove to be the game-winner. However, the Royals took the next two games of the series. The first was at Waynesboro that they connected on a couple homers to win 9-6. The other was in Winchester when they shut out the Gens 4-0. That marked the only time the Gens were shutout on the season.
Now that the scene is set, it’s time to enjoy some playoff baseball in the Valley League! Game One of the first series against the Staunton Braves is Sunday, July 28th, at Integrity Home Mortgage Park at Kate Collins Field at 7 PM. The Gens are looking for their 7th VBL Championship and first since 2014.
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.
Gens Bounce Back With Late Win Over Strasburg
Bryce Teodosio (Clemson) was cleared to play Sunday morning after the second half of his Freshman year at Clemson was ended due to a collarbone injury. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Bryce Teodosio, in only his 4th at-bat with the team, sent a go-ahead 3-Run homer over the centerfield fence in the 8th inning.
The scoring was hard to come by until the top of the 4th. Strasburg started Macklin Ohs got the first two hitters of the inning out, but Teodosio started things with a single. He was attempting to steal when Alex Webb (Chipola) singled to right. Once the ball got by the right fielder, Teodosio came all the way around to score. Dalton Wingo (UCF) followed it up with a single to drive in Webb. The Gens had struck for 2 in the top of the 4th.
Fred Villarreal (Houston) was the starter in the game for the Gens. He worked his way through 6+ innings, but when the Express struck for a double and a single to start the inning, he gave way to Aron Solis (Texas Southern) to get out of the inning. He wasn’t able to strand Villarreal’s 2 runs, but didn’t allow any more damage. The score after 7 complete innings was 2-2.
The Gens didn’t take long to answer. It all started with 2 outs in the 8th. Andrew Orzel (Wofford) walked to get the first runner on. Alex Brait (FGCU) then worked his way on with another walk. Then on a 1-2 count, Bryce Tedosio teed off on a fastball to send it over the center field fence. The 3 run homer put the Gens on top 5-2.
The Strasburg Express would add one run in the bottom of the 8th off Solis. After getting the first out of the inning, Solis let a fastball ride just a little too far inside and hit the batter. He then proceeded to get the next out. However, Strasburg wasn’t going to go away quietly. The next hitter worked a full count walk to put runners on first and second and to bring the tying run to the plate. Michael Koenig then drilled a single to left to score a run, making it 5-3 with runners on first and second again. The go-ahead run was now at the plate, but Solis kept his cool and got a fly out to left. Solis would continue to keep his cool and would work a 1-2-3 ninth to get the Generals off the 3 game losing streak.
Key Performers for Strasburg:
- Keiton Rivers: 2-3, BB, R
- Hogan Brown: 2-4
- Michael Koenig: 2-4, RBI
- Macklin Ohs: ND, 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Fred Villarreal (Houston): ND, 6+ IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
- Aron Solis (Texas Southern): W (2-0), 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
- Bryce Teodosio (Clemson): 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Alex Webb (Chipola): 3-4, R
The Generals (10-12) will try to make it 2 in a row when they return home Monday night to take on Harrisonburg at Kate Collins Field.
Generals Surge Late to Nip Strasburg
The Waynesboro Generals opened their home schedule at Kate Collins Field with a three run 7th and a four run 8th to post an 8-5 comeback victory over the Strasburg Express.
Usually in an 8-5 ballgame, there would be plenty of hitting going on. However Wednesday night, that was not the case. Strasburg opened the scoring with a bases loaded walk in the top of the second. That lead didn’t last long though, as Dalton Wingo (UCF) lead off the bottom half with a monstrous solo homer that landed, and eventually crossed, Hopeman Parkway to even the score at 1-1.
The scoring picked back up in the 4th for Strasburg when Austin Thompson ripped a 2-RBI single to centerfield off of starter Bryan Wilcox (Florida Gulf Coast). Two batters later Tyler Krabbe rolled a ball to third that was mishandled by General third baseman Tyler Trovinger (Oakland), allowing another run to score and lengthen Strasburg’s lead to 3.
After a few quiet middle innings, Waynesboro sprung for 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to tie the game at 4. Jordan Ammons (Mercer) came through with a one-out RBI single to right to drive in Jackson Webb (UCF). Later in the inning, Tanner Thomas (Tallahassee CC) hit a ground ball to Express first baseman Stephen Baughan, who threw the ball into right field to allow Ammons to score the second run of the inning. Two pitches later, a pickoff attempt caught Thomas in a rundown between first and second. When Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary) tried stealing home while Thomas was in a pickle, he was caught by Stephen Baughan. Later in the same at-bat, Thomas stole third and forced an errant throw from catcher Jimmy Jefferies, allowing Thomas to score the tying run.
Patrick O’Shea (St. Mary’s) replaced Hunter Shuff (USC Aiken) to start the top of the 8th, but allowed a leadoff walk to come around to score on another RBI single by Austin Thompson, moving the score to 5-4.
The Generals did most of their damage off of Strasburg’s Sylvester Toe in the bottom of the 8th. Toe loaded the bases and then walked in the tying run. He lasted 0.1 innings giving up four earned runs on one hit and 3 walks.
Jordan Ammons came through in another clutch situation with a sacrifice fly to right field to give Waynesboro the lead. After a balk, Kyle Wrighte hit a 2-RBI single to right field for some insurance runs. The score moved to 8-5 in favor of the Gens after 8 complete.
Gio Soto (FIU) came on to fire an impressive 9th inning to earn his first save of the summer, racking up 2 strikeouts in the process.
Strasburg Key Performers:
- Austin Thompson: 2-4, 3 RBI, 2 SB
- Jimmy Jeffries: 1-2, 2 BB, 2 R
- Garrett Richards (ND): 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Waynesboro Key Performers
- Dalton Wingo (UCF): 2-3, Solo HR (1)
- Jordan Ammons (Mercer): 1-3, 2 RBI
- Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary): 1-4, BB, 2 RBI
- Hunter Shuff (USC Aiken): 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The Generals (2-1) are back in action tomorrow night, June 7th, at home vs. the Purcellville Cannons (2-2) at Kate Collins Field.
Rain Showers and Flooding Wreak Havoc on Generals Schedule
The storms that have run through the Shenandoah Valley have put a hold on the Valley Baseball League games. A few teams have completed at least one game, while others haven’t been so lucky.
The Generals were able to get their opening night game against Covington in on Friday, June 1st. Since then, they have had three games postponed. Saturday was supposed to be their home opener vs. Charlottesville, but Mother Nature had other plans. Sunday’s game at New Market and Monday’s game at home against Strasburg have both been moved to other dates, as well.
The official make-up dates are as follows:
- Friday, June 2nd vs. Charlottesville is now Monday, June 18th.
- Sunday, June 3rd @ New Market is now Wednesday, June 13th.
- Monday, June 4th vs. Strasburg is now Wednesday, June 6th
With these make-up dates, the Generals are now slated to play a grueling 16 days in a row, starting tomorrow night at Winchester.
The much-anticipated home opener for the Generals will be Wednesday, June 6th vs. Strasburg at Kate Collins Field. The players, coaches, and staff of the Gens are all ready to start playing baseball, and hope to see a great crowd Wednesday night at 7 pm.
Generals Fall in Game 2 as Express Take Home Valley League Title
The Strasburg Express are the 2016 Valley League Champions after defeating the Waynesboro Generals 5-4 in Game 2 of the Championship Series in Waynesboro Friday evening.
The Express take home the Jim Lineweaver Cup for the second consecutive season as they handed the Generals just their third home loss all season.
Strasburg used a big seventh inning where they scored five runs to take a one run lead that would hold until the end of the game. An RBI single by Jake Tisevich followed by a pair of RBI doubles by Tyler Green and Erick Delgado did the damage, allowing the Express to take the 5-4 lead and hold on for the victory.
The two teams traded zeroes early, but the Generals were able to break through in the fourth inning with three runs. After a single by Zach Sterry, Kyle Jackson drove in the first run with an RBI double to the left-center field gap. Andrew Bullock followed with an RBI double of his own to score Jackson, and T.J. Condon drove in Bullock with a single to make it 3-0 Waynesboro.
The Generals were able to put one more run on the board in the sixth when Condon scored Bullock again with an RBI double as the home team took a 4-0 lead before Strasburg’s big seventh inning.
Tyler Howe began the game on the mound for the Generals going six shutout innings before surrendering the five runs in the seventh. He would finish as the losing pitcher while walking two and striking out three. Tanner Kirby pitched three innings of relief, allowing only three hits with one walk.
Benjamin Dum was the winning pitcher for Strasburg with Abraham Almonte earning the save.
Generals Drop Game 1 of Championship Series 7-6 at Strasburg
The Waynesboro Generals fell just short in Game 1 of the Valley League Championship Series, losing to the Strasburg Express 7-6 Thursday night.
Strasburg came out of the gate quick with a big three run home run by Brandon Quaranta to give them an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Waynesboro came ready with a response, though, as they put up four runs in the second to take their first lead. Brent Sakurai delivered a two-RBI triple to right field to score the first two and put Waynesboro on the scoreboard. Sam Palensky would follow with a two run single as the Generals took a 4-3 lead.
The Express would come back with three more runs scored in the bottom of the third inning to retake the lead, however. Strasburg used a pair of doubles and singles to take a 6-4 lead in an impressive two-out rally in the inning. They would tack on one more in the fifth when Carter Pharis took home on a wild pitch and lead 7-4.
The Generals were not done yet as Zach Sterry brought them to within one with a two-run home run, his third of the postseason, but Waynesboro was unable to complete the comeback, losing 7-6.
Brett Sasse started on the mound for Waynesboro, only going three and a third innings after allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out two batters. Dylan Burns came on in relief for three and two-thirds innings while giving up one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked one. Darren Kelly pitched the ninth and surrendered just one hit.
Waynesboro now faces elimination for the first time this postseason, as they must win the next two games to win the Jim Lineweaver Cup.
UP NEXT: Game 2 of the best-of-3 Championship series will take place in Waynesboro on Friday evening beginning at 7:00 pm
Six Run Seventh Inning Propels Generals over Strasburg
Brett Sasse had a strong relief appearance, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing only one run in earning the win for the Generals.
Using six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Waynesboro Generals (26-10) edged out the Strasburg Express (26-11) 8-7 on Thursday night at Linco Park.
Strasburg got on the scoreboard first on an RBI groundout in the top of the first inning. Starting pitcher Tyler Elwer was able to escape further damage with runners on, though, making it 1-0. The Express would extend their lead with a big four run third inning to make the score 5-0. Brandon Quaranta had a two-run home run followed by a bases loaded hit batsman and a sacrifice fly extended the lead to five runs.
Waynesboro finally got on the board in the bottom of the third as Tanner Poole drove in Brent Sakurai with an RBI single. They would not score again until the bottom of the sixth inning when Tracy Hadley tripled and came home to score on a passed ball to make it 5-2.
Sakurai delivered an RBI single to score T.J. Condon to make it a 5-3 game. Then, back-to-back hit batsmen and a walk with the bases loaded scored another run to pull the Generals within one. Hadley then came through with a clutch two-RBI single to give the team a 6-5 lead. Andrew Bullock followed with another single to score to more, and Waynesboro ended the inning with a 8-5 lead.
Strasburg would score in the eighth and ninth inning to pull within one run, but the Generals would hold them off just enough to come away with 8-7 victory.
Elwer went just two innings, allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and one strikeout. Brett Sasse came on in relief and pitched six and one-third innings in an effort that earned him the win. He gave up two runs on three hits and struck out five batters. Tanner Kirby got the final two outs of the game in his two-thirds of an inning.
Coach Williams’ Players of the Game: P Brett Sasse (6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 5 SO) and 3B Tracy Hadley (2-4, 3B, 1B, 2 R, 2 RBI).
UP NEXT: The Generals will travel to New Market to take on the Rebels Friday evening beginning at 7:00 pm.
