Williamsburg Post 39’s American Legion baseball team suffered a heartbreaking season-ending loss in extra innings after falling to Leesburg Post 34 9-8 in the third round of the state tournament Thursday.
Post 39 held a two-run lead with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning before Leesburg rallied for three runs to walk off with a dramatic 9-8 victory
“Miserable,” was how head coach Tom Richardson characterized his feelings after the loss, although he offered nothing but praise for his club’s resilient effort.
Post 39 trailed 6-2 after six innings before clawing back to tie the game during its final at-bat.
After Williamsburg scored three runs in the seventh, Austin Carter led off the ninth inning with a triple before scoring on Michael Brumfield’s sacrifice fly to pull Post 39 even and force extras.
In the 10th inning, Post 39 plated two runs in the top of the frame to take an 8-6 lead. Williamsburg seemed all but ready to advance into Friday as Leesburg, still behind 8-6, was down to its final out with two runners on base.
After scoring one run on a balk by Williamsburg’s pitcher to cut the deficit in half, 8-7, Mikey Pugh drove in the game-tying and game-winning runs with an RBI single.
Despite the painful ending, Richardson applauded his team for never quitting and continuing to show the one quality he has used to characterize them all season.
“I’m extremely proud because this team has continuously shown great character,” Richardson said. “When you have that, you’re never out of a game and today was a perfect example. To see these guys come from all different schools and bond together like a family, that’s what it’s all about.”
Although he voiced displeasure regarding his team’s drop off in offensive production during the state tournament, Richardson added that one loss does not define his team’s entire body of work.
Post 39 concludes the season with a 20-2 overall record, went unbeaten during the regular season and did so in a fashion more dominant than any other has during Richardson’s 12 years as head coach.
“It was definitely a successful season,” Richardson said. “Only one American Legion team can win its last game.”
