Waynesboro Loses Close Game to Staunton

By: Joshua Gingrich

Waynesboro, Va. — For the second time this season, the Waynesboro Generals and Staunton Braves squared off at Kate Collins Field. And for the second time this season, the Braves defeated the Generals in Waynesboro, holding off a late Waynesboro rally to win 7-6 last night.

There was a lot of offense early from both sides. After three innings, the Generals were up 6-5. After Staunton scored twice in the top of the second, Waynesboro scored five times in the bottom half of the frame — three batters were hit and there were two walks and two hits during the rally. 

However, the Braves scored three in the top of the third to even the game up. The Generals retook the lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by outfielder Thad Ector. 

From there, however, the game became a pitcher’s duel. The Braves scored a run in the fifth and an unearned run in the sixth to take the lead, but no other runs could be scratched across. The Generals loaded the bases with two out in the ninth, but infielder Tyler Borges struck out swinging to end the game.

Outfielders Joe Delossantos and Michael Robertson each had two hits for Staunton. Robertson also drove in a pair of runs. Pitcher Brooks Helton went 3.2 scoreless innings for the Braves, picking up the win, while pitcher Marty Neal got the save with his game-ending strikeout of Borges. 

Outfielder Joseph Sullivan III went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Generals, and first baseman Braden Luke had a two-run single in the five-run second. Pitcher J.D. Price pitched well for the Generals, going four innings and getting tagged with the unearned run, but he was handed the loss.

Waynesboro (2-2) heads to Charlottesville to play the Tom Sox today at 7 p.m. The Braves (2-3) are off Friday before returning home to battle the Covington Lumberjacks on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.