Late rally lifts Rockbridge, ends Waynesboro’s 2011 season

A two-out, four-run seventh-inning rally erased a 4-3 Generals lead and lifted the #6 seed Rockbridge to a 7-4 win over the #3 seed Waynesboro, sending the Rapids to the Valley League semifinals and ending the Generals’ 2011 season.

Waynesboro, the South Division champion, had taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch that allowed pinch-runner Jeb Weymouth to score and an RBI fielder’s choice by Travis Echolsthat scored Keith Picconi.

Devin Smith (3-1) struck out the first two Rapids hitters in the seventh before giving up an infield single to Zach Leach, who advanced all the way to third on the play on a throwing error by third baseman Chase Worthington. Smith walked Tanner Lovick and Clinton Freeman to load the bases before being lifted for Andrew Blackwell, who hit Brody Greer on a 3-2 pitch to tie the game at 4. Blackwell walked Tyler Molinaro on another 3-2 pitch to give Rockbridge a 5-4 lead, and an Andrew Montague two-run single made it 7-4 Rockbridge.

Scott Wilcox led off the eighth with a walk but was stranded at first. The ninth saw Travis Echols single with two outs to give Waynesboro one last glimmer of hope before Dykota Spiess flew out to right to end it.

Kerry Doane (2-1) picked up the win in relief for Rockbridge, which had won Game 1 11-3 in Waynesboro Saturday night.