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A five run sixth inning for the Stone Bridge Bulldogs was the difference in the game as Stone Bridge defeated the Broad Run Spartans 6-5 for the Class 5 region C championship on Friday night.

It was a quiet game at first as both starters, 2020 RHP Ethan Snyder for Broad Run and Dalton Hines for Stone Bridge, had yet to give up hits through three innings apiece in the game. The Bulldogs were the first team to strike in the top of the third inning when Michael Knipple came up with a two out RBI single through the right side that scored Mitchell Colombo who doubled to lead off the inning, giving Stone Bridge a 1-0 lead.

Broad Run would respond immediately in the bottom half, loading the bases on the first three hitters of the inning. Another walk would allow the Spartans their first run of the game, and an Anthony Puma RBI single gave Broad Run the lead at 2-1. Quinn Stromberg would hit a sac fly to extend the lead to 3-1, and Adam Chow safety squeezed in another run and reached safely via fielders choice on the play to make it a 4-1 game. Broad Run would leave the bases loaded with 1-out that would eventually end up costly.

A quiet fifth would ensue in the game and then Stone Bridge attacked quickly in the top of the sixth. Tyler Scott led the inning off with a single and Colombo would reach via an HBP after. Derek Planty would load the bases on an infield single. The Bulldogs would then score two runs on a Zach Mazur double to right-center, cutting the Broad Run lead to 4-3. After a strikeout, Conrad Mason would execute a squeeze bunt, allowing Plenty to score and tie the game at four. After a strikeout, Paul Moore would be intentionally walked and he would immediately steal second base to put runners at second and third. An infield single from Ryan Provencal on a ground ball that took a wicked hop at short kept the inning alive and allowed the go-ahead run to score. Moore, who was at third, would score on a wild pitch to make the score 6-4.

Broad Run was able to get one back in the bottom of the seventh inning off a Snyder RBI double, but that was all that they could muster as the game-tying run was held at third base as Stone Bridge reliever Kyle Lewis was able to shut the door and hold on to the Bulldog victory.

Mazur led the Bulldogs going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Puma and Snyder each had two hits apiece for the Spartans.

Both teams advance to the state tournament beginning next Tuesday. Stone Bridge will host Halifax County, the Region 5D runner up, while Broad Run will Travel to Stafford, the Region D champion.