By Rodney Young
NRVSports.net
The first game of the Class 1 State Semi-finals pitted Rappahannock against the Warriors of Chilhowie.
Rappahannock (21-4) scored two runs in the first inning. The Raiders’ leadoff man, Chase Self, singled to center. Davis Richardson also singled to center. Both runners would move up a base on a wild pitch. Self would then score on another wild pitch. Carter Sullivan hit a sac fly to center field that scored Richardson.
Their third run was produced by Landen King, drawing a walk, a single by Self, and Richardson walking. King would then cross the plate on a passed ball, 3-0 Raiders.
Chilhowie (19-9) got on the scoreboard with Dylan Martin scoring on a walk, a balk, and scored on an inference call on a Warrior runner.
They would then tie the game in their half of the fifth with Gavin Walker hitting a 350-foot home run, Martin walked, and stole second and scored the tying run on a hit by Brent Kilbourne.
Then, in the bottom of the fifth, the Raiders got a single from Daniel Morrison, but he was forced out at second. Dayne Keyser would then hit a two-run homer over the left field fence to put the Raiders up 5-3, and for the win. Rappahannock’s Evan Douglas picked up the win, tossing five innings. He allowed two runs, three hits, and struck out five. Keyser has two RBI on his home run. Self had two hits.
Chilhoiwe head coach Jeff Robinson remarked, “ We fell behind early, but this team fought back. Rappahannock is well-coached and very disciplined. I’m so proud of my team, and I’ve been with these seniors since t-ball. They have left a mark on this Warrior program.”
The Warriors had RBI from Walker and Kilbourne. Freshman Bryce Robinson took the loss after pitching 5.2 innings. He gave up two runs, three hits, and struck out six.
The second Class 1 semi-final saw the Patrick Henry Rebels demolish the Riverheads Gladiators 13-1 in five innings. The Rebels ( 25-3) jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first and four more in the second. Their four runs in the second inning were knocked in by Carter Brown’s grand slam. Brown was two for four, four RBI, and scored twice. Hank Rutherford went three for three, scored three runs, and knocked in two. Trajan Cannon got the win as he threw five innings, allowed five hits, one run, and struck out eight. The Rebels put the game away, scoring four more runs in the third and a single run in the fourth and fifth innings.
Riverheads’ only run came in the second inning on an error, allowing Jackson Berkstresser to score. Cason Croft was the losing pitcher. He went just one inning. He gave up three runs, two hits. Five different Riverheads players got a hit.
Class 1 Championship will be played at 10 am Saturday, at Kiwanis Park in Salem as Patrick Henry takes on Rappahannock.
