Despite allowing seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and falling behind by six runs, York rallied to defeat Grafton 13-10 on the road in a wild Bay Rivers District showdown on Wednesday.
After opening the game with an RBI in the top of the first inning, the Falcons allowed four runs in the first inning before recording a single out, all coming off bases-loaded walks.
With the bases loaded, York pitcher Josh Burgett walked three consecutive Grafton batters to put the Clippers ahead 3-1. York pitcher Colton Reilly came in to relieve Burgett, but immediately walked a batter during his first at bat.
Grafton’s Jack Daszkowski grounded into a double play that scored Michael Bailey and put Grafton up 5-1. Later in the inning, Zach Wojonowski smacked a two-run double to give Grafton a commanding 7-1 lead.
Unfortunately for the Clippers, a six-run buffer was not enough to secure the win.
York started its improbable rally in the top of the second inning as Jaime Lewis hit an RBI single that was followed by Trey Kurtyka being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
The Falcons added a run in the top of the third inning on a passed ball to cut Grafton’s lead to 7-4. In the top of the fourth inning, York added a run on a wild pitch before plating another batter on a Jonathan Moore single.
With Grafton’s lead cut to just one run, the Clippers responded with back-to-back RBI hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to slow York’s momentum — or so they thought.
Instead of being demoralized, York responded with five runs in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead.
The crucial inning started with Lewis hitting a two-run single to left field that pulled the Falcons within one run. During the next at bat, Kurtyka delivered an RBI single that tied the game at 9-9.
With the bases loaded, Ryan Jordan drew a walk that gave York its first lead since the top of the first inning. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed York’s 11th run of the game to score, a run which proved to be the game-winner.
York added a run in the top of the sixth inning before Justin Parrish capped the comeback with a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning.
A Grafton run in the bottom of the seventh inning proved inconsequential as the Falcons hung on for the come-from-behind win.
York (5-1) will host Smithfield on Friday, while Grafton (1-6) will try to snap its three-game losing streak on the road against Jamestown on Friday.
York: 121;251;1 — 13 12 0
Grafton: 700;200;1 — 10 6 1
WP: Dylan Dye
LP: Andrew Shartzer
York: Jaime Lewis (2-2, 3 RBIs, 3 BB), Trey Kurtyka (1-5, 2 RBIs)
Grafton: Zach Wojonowski (2-3, 3 RBIs), Michael Bailey (1-3, 2 RBIs)
Jamestown Avoids Late Collapse Against Smithfield
Jamestown got a late scare during Wednesday’s 9-6 road win against Smithfield.
Leading 9-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Eagles allowed five runs and needed a late pitching change to secure the victory.
The Eagles plated a run in the top of the third inning, but blew the game open in the fifth inning.
An RBI single by Garrick Colorado started a six-run inning for Jamestown, which also included a two-run single by Josh Nellis and back-to-back walks that brought home runs.
Brad Vandygriff, who pitched in relief of Jamestown starter Kent Klyman, struggled to get out of the seventh inning. Vandygriff pitched 1-1/3 innings, allowing six hits and five runs.
With Smithfield threatening Jamestown’s win, Colorado was brought in to replace Vandygriff and close the game out. Colorado recorded the game’s final out and the Eagles held on for the win.
Jamestown (6-1) will look to build on its five-game win streak Friday at home against Grafton.
Jamestown: 001;062;0 — 9 10 2
Smithfield: 000;001;5 — 6 9 3
WP: Kent Klyman
LP: Jakob Ryan
Jamestown: Josh Nellis (1-3, 2 RBIs), Garrick Colorado (2-3, RBI)
Smtihfield: Jack Darden (2-3, 2 RBIs), Jakob Ryan (2-3)
Warhill’s Struggles Continue in Loss to New Kent
Warhill’s slow start to the 2016 season continued Wednesday as the Lions fell 12-5 on the road against New Kent.
Lions starting pitcher Aharon Davidson had a tough outing, allowing eight earned runs and walking seven batters over three innings before being replaced by Ryan Creecy.
Seizing on the pitching struggles of Warhill, New Kent plated nine runs over the first four innings.
Reece Koon smacked a two-run triple in the top of the fifth inning to score Warhill’s first runs of the game. Sam Rochard followed the triple with an RBI double to left field to bring the Lions within six runs of the Trojans.
Despite two more runs in the top of the sixth inning, Warhill never truly threatened New Kent’s lead and ultimately succumbed to the Trojans.
Warhill (1-6) will face a quick turnaround as the Lions visit Gloucester on Thursday.
Warhill: 000;032;0 — 5 10 0
New Kent: 124;212;x — 12 13 3
WP: Blake Frye
LP: Aharon Davidson
Warhill: Sam Rochard (2-4, RBI), Reece Koon (1-3, RBI)
New Kent: Christian Hamby (3-4, 3 RBIs), Bryan Brooks (2 RBIs)
Walsingham Scores Big Win Over Norfolk Academy
Walsingham Academy posted a major 3-2 win at home against Norfolk Academy on Wednesday.
The win is notable because the Trojans, who play in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association’s Division III, were able to take down a top-10 team in the VISAA’s Division I.
Tredell Blow of Walsingham started the game off with a bang as he belted a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning.
Norfolk Academy responded in the top of the second inning as Luke Cromwell hit an RBI double.
Blow came up big again for the Trojans in the bottom of the third inning, delivering an RBI single into left field and putting the Trojans up 2-1.
Norfolk Academy tied the game in the top of the fifth inning, but the Trojans put the game away in the bottom of the fifth inning as JJ Burns scored Tanner Schobel thanks to a fielding error.
Walsingham (8-5) faces a quick turnaround as the Trojans visit Cape Henry on Thursday.
Norfolk Academy: 010;010;0 — 2 2 2
Walsingham: 101;010;x — 3 7 1
WP: Zach Stanko
LP: Ryder Wagnon
Norfolk Academy: Matthew Cooper (1-3, RBI), Luke Cromwell (1-1, RBI)
Walsingham: Tredell Blow (2-3, 2 RBIs), JJ Burns (1-3, RBI)
