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By Jerry Shank
MD/VA Director

Abbott’s Two Hit Shutout Leads Halifax

Andrew Abbott struck out 11, giving up two hits and Josh Barker drove in all Halifax runs as the Comets defeated Prince George 2-0 in Game 1 of the 5A State Semifinals.

The game one matchup between 5A South Champion Prince George and 5A North Runner up Halifax saw Halifax go to their left-handed ace Abbott, who arguably is the top pitcher in the state against a talented lineup of Prince George who were 23-1 heading into the contest.

The game started quietly in the first as Prince George starting pitcher Jonathan Walton quieted the Halifax lineup in the first and Abbott went 1-2-3. Halifax tould not waste anytime, striking early in the game after Drew Harlow led off the inning with an infield single. After a sec bunt moved Harlow to second, Barker drove a double down the left field line for a double and scored Harlow, giving the Comets an early 1-0 after two.

That would remain the score until the sixth inning, as both starting pitchers competed well in the game, keeping it a close contest. Abbott cruised relatively, not giving up a hit until the fourth inning when Tevin Tucker hit a one out single to right. Tucker would steal second and third, moving into scoring position with one out. Abbott would get a strikeout and a fly out on a well hit ball by Walton to end the threat, which would be the biggest scoring threat from Prince George in the ball game.

Walton pitched well for Prince George, spreading out four hits through four inning, and shutting down a bases loaded threat from Halifax in the third inning.

Halifax added an insurance run in the fifth inning after Harlow reached base on an infield error to lead off the inning. Another sac bunt would move Harlow to second, bringing Barker up to the plate with one out again. This time Barker, a 2018 left handed hitter, drove the ball down the right field line this time, again knocking in Harlow and rolled into second with his second double of the game and second RBI as well.

Abbott would shut down Prince George in the sixth and seventh inning, facing the minimum amount of hitters in both frames. Abbott only had one inning where he faced more than one hitter in the game, when Tucker reached base and moved to third. Abbott picked off the runner for Prince George who led off the fifth inning with a single through the 5-6 hole. Abbott had no walks in the contest.

Barker and Harlow led the Comets with two hits apiece, while Abbott helped his own cause with two hits as well.

Tucker and Tucker Majetic had Prince George’s two hits

Briar Woods Too Much For Menchville in State Semifinals

The Briar Woods Falcons offense score six runs on 11 hits  en route to a 6-1 victory over Menchville in the 5A State semifinals.

Briar woods got he scoring started off in the second inning of the game. As the Falcons would put up three runs, all with two outs in the inning. After Pat Dengler reached on a fielders choice to get two out, Jack Jaekle walked to get two on. Ty Germanowski would then drive a double to deep right of center field to score two and take an early 2-0 lead. Alex Bjornsen would then knocked in Germanoski on a single to left to make the score 3-0.

The score would remain that way for two innings when Menchville would strike back in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly from the bat of Riley Sweeney to cut the Briar Woods lead to 3-1. After a scoreless fifth inning, Briar Wood was able to add insurance in the form of three runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Dengler had a sacrifice fly  to score George Rosales, and then add another run on a botched double play. In the seventh Bjornsen would lead the inning off on a double and later score to make the score 6-1.

Wilson Ayers got the win for the Falcons, going 5.2 inning, scattering four hits with seven strikeouts. The junior lefty did an excellent job keeping the Monarch’s lineup off balance throughout the game, using a steady mix of his change up and locating his fastball to both sides of the plate.

Bjornsen and Rosales led the Falcons with three hits apiece. Germanoski went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Kyle Ortiz and Austin Spivak each had two hits apiece for Menchville.