VA/DC Quick Hits: VHSL 3A State Semi's Abingdon at Liberty Christian
June 22, 2021
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First things first, kudos to the fan bases of Abingdon and Liberty Christian for providing a truly electric environment on Tuesday evening at Liberty University. This was a high intensity, competitive 3A State Semifinal that did not disappoint. After a scoreless first inning, Abingdon struck first on a Brody Dotson single that scored Ethan Ketron. Two batters later Jake Thacker grounded into a fielder's choice, but after the backside of the potential double play was thrown away the Falcons would end up scoring two more to make it 3-0. That score would hold until the top of the fifth when senior VCU commit Chase Hungate would work a nine pitch at bat, fouling off three two strike pitches, to get a slider that he would line into right field for a RBI single scoring Caleb Collins (SWCC). The Falcons would hold tight to that 4-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth. The Bulldogs of LCA would rally for two runs on back to back sac fly's by 2021 Will Thomas and 2022 Dillon Stowers. LCA reliever Sully Holmes (Liberty) would work around two walks in the top of the seventh and strike out Ketron to end the Falcon threat and bring the Bulldogs back to the plate with a two run deficit. Seth Abe got a leadoff walk and he would score two hitters later on a Logan Duff double making it 4-3. With the tying run on second base Abingdon sophomore and Virginia Tech commit Ethan Gibson would backpick a runner at first and then strikeout Andrew Burns (Liberty) to finish off his complete game and send Abingdon to the 3A State Championship.
Now for some recap videos and notes on a few players.
2021 Will Thomas (@LCA_Athletics) gets us started in the @VHSL_ 3A semi’s.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
Fastball has been 84-85 through the first inning. (K, 5-3, and 4-3)@PBRVirginiaDC #VHSL3AStates #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/ypfgv8CE64
2023 John Simmons (@LCA_Athletics) gives this 3-2 FB a ride but it is ran down by Caleb Collins for @AtownBSBL and we are scoreless after 1 complete. @PBRVirginiaDC #VHSL3AStates pic.twitter.com/JnidnjWbFc
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
Brody Dotson hits a flare single to RF that would score Ketron, who reached via error. @AtownBSBL adds 2 more on a FC 6-4 that had a throwing error.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
3-0 Abingdon headed to B2. @PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_ #PBRIsThere #VHSL3AStates pic.twitter.com/HwQZ85pRyN
2023 Ethan Gibson (@HokiesBaseball commit)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
Has been scattered a bit early but has battled his way through the first 2 IP. 3 pitch mix and intense competitor on the mound.
FB 84-87 T88-89x1 a piece
CB 69-72 gradual 12/6
CH 75-78@PBRVirginiaDC #VHSL3AStates #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/lIXE5YMLXq
2023 Ben Blair comes on in relief for @LCA_Athletics in the 3rd.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
LOVE this arm. Quick whippy L3/4 arm. FB has life and frame has plenty of room to add strength.
FB 87-89 (85x1) spin 2381-2561
SL 76-78
CH 81@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt #PBRIsThere #VHSL3AStates pic.twitter.com/aKfDAYiim7
Gibson worked a quick B4. Velo still holding, 85-87 in the 4th. @PBRVirginiaDC https://t.co/I7RsE1rCM5
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
. @VCUBaseball commit Chase Hungate with a big QAB here. Fouls off multiple 2K pitches and gets to this slider for a RBI single into RF.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
4-0 @AtownBSBL leads in the T5. @PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_ #VHSL3AStates #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/0jaR0t37qa
. @LibertyBaseball commit ‘22 Sully Holmes comes on and gets out of the T5 w/o allowing any more damage.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
The @LCA_Athletics Jr. was 86-89 with a FB that played downhill from a higher slot. @PBRVirginiaDC #VHSL3AStates #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/GYuGibsms2
‘22 Tanner Thomas leads off the B6 for @LCA_Athletics with a laser single through the middle.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
Bulldogs now have them loaded w/ nobody out. @PBRVirginiaDC #VHSL3AStates pic.twitter.com/Sxc9KO8otB
. @LCA_Athletics answers w/ 2 in the B6.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
Will Thomas hits a SF9 and then this Dillon Stowers SF7 makes it 4-2.
Headed to T7 with Abingdon leading. @PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_#VHSL3AStates #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/dG9PNcM71T
Holmes keeps it at 4-2 ending the T7 with this punchout.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 23, 2021
Gibson comes back out for @AtownBSBL as they lead @LCA_Athletics heading the B7. @PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_ #PBRIsThere #VHSL3AStates pic.twitter.com/xdmCmwMrGD
2022 Logan Duff extended the @LCA_Athletics inning with this double to deep LF and took the score to 4-3z @PBRVirginiaDC #VHSL3APlayoffs #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/m7P3Uf0Net
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 23, 2021
The tides turned quickly in the favor of LCA, but Gibson gets a back pick at 1B & then this K to end it & send @AtownBSBL to the #VHSL3AStates Championship game.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 23, 2021
Gibson throws a CG and showed big moxie for a sophomore.
Final 4-3 Abingdon@PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_ #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/uqKxf6Pry4