All Things Valley League

Pictures from the Championship Game

Haymarket Joe might be best known for his ringing "Let's goooooo, HAYMARKET!" at Senator's games, but he's also carrying around a camera. He shoots excellent action pictures during the games he covers. All of the pictures that follow are from Joe; if you want to see his entire collection, click on "Haymarket Joe's Pictures" on the left, and enter "Senators" as the password.  If you use any, make sure to give him credit! 

I'm having issues with putting captions to these pictures, so.... The pictures, in order, are: Russ Brewer (my MVP for the game); Waynesboro's Pat Irvine; Luminaries at the game: President David Biery (left) and "Legend of the Valley" Mo Weber; Waynesboro's starter Trey Webb; Luray starter Donald Jordat; winning pitcher Danny Williamson; losing pitcher Kenny Cedel; Drew Pirtle tagged out at home; Luray coach Mike Bocock; Kurt Davidson; Tyler Kuhn; one of my new favorite players, Thomas Nelson (story some other time); Gus Miller; Waynesboro coach Lawrence Nesselrodt with some blogger; Andrew Frezza; your 2007 Valley League Champions!

The Waynesboro Generals: 2007 Valley League Champions

When Russ Brewer connected with a Kenny Cedel fastball with one out in the top of the 8th inning, no one was sure it would clear the fence. The line drive streaked towards left field, but it almost looked too low. "I wasn't sure it was gone," Russ said after the game. "I knew I hit it well, but I was watching the left fielder when I saw it go over the fence."   When the ball, in fact, did actually clear the left field fence, for all intensive purposes, the Waynesboro Generals were the 2007 Valley League Champions.  Six outs later it was official, and the Generals were dogpiling on the mound.

Luray opened the scoring off Waynesboro starter Trey Smith in the 3rd inning, when Tyler Kuhn singled down the left field line to score Alec Lowery, and Gerard Hall scored on Grant Buckner's error in left. Waynesboro answered right back in the 4th when Russ Brewer singled up the middle with 2 outs, scoring Ryan Adams and Thomas Nelson.

Luray reclaimed the lead when Justin (Gus) Miller drove a Trey Smith pitch over the left field fence in the bottom of the 4th, but the Generals re-tied the game in the top of the 5th when Ryan Adams singled off reliever Nolan Cain, scoring Chris Anninos.

The teams then settled down for several innings, as Luray's Cain and Waynesboro's Danny Williamson put goose eggs on the board through the 7th.

Enter Russ Brewer leading off the 8th. After his home run, the Generals added 2 more runs as Grant Buckner and Chris Anninos singled (Chris's 4th time on base), and Kurt Davidson doubled in the right-center field gap. Davidson was subsequently thrown out at third trying to advance on a wild throw, but the Generals had a 3-run lead with 6 outs to go.

Williamson set down the Wranglers 1-2-3 in the 8th, and closer Jimmy Stanley did the same in the 9th inning, making sure there would be no last second heroics. After that: dogpiling on the mound, and posing for pictures, before everyone heads back home.

Observations

• Russ Brewer is the hitter of the game, as he went 2-4, with 1 run, 3 RBI, and the aforementioned home run.  Interestingly, both of his hits came off the first pitch.
• The pitcher of the game is Waynesboro's Danny Williamson. He came in and restored order to the game, retiring every batter he faced over 3 innings. He received the win.
• Waynesboro's coach, Lawrence Nesselrodt, named coach of the year in the Valley, was obviously celebrating after the game.  How did they win it all?  "We just kept driving until everyone else quit," he said. "We had a great group of returners; they were the glue that solidified the team.  They showed up every night and stayed on task."  For the record, those returners were Kurt Davidson, Chris Anninos, Brandon Sizemore, Bryan Bokowy, and Jon Dages. All played important roles with the team this year.
• Luray shot off fireworks before the game as their starters were announced!  My daughters are going to be upset that they missed it.
• Haymarket Joe was there taking pictures, which makes my job much easier (I don't even bother to touch my camera when Joe is there). (The photo above is his)
• I sat next to Gerard Hall's father during the game, and it was nice to have an intelligent baseball conversation, instead of some of the drivel I sometimes hear from the stands.
• I spoke with Luray's Rob Gilliam before the game- he wasn't pitching because he's dealing with some arm trouble. He's going in for an MRI next week. Hope everything's ok....

Can it be that the season is over?  No more games?  Wow- it went fast. When Haymarket Joe gets his pictures up online, I will post several pictures from the game. 

Congratulations to the Waynesboro Generals for their championship, and to the Luray Wranglers for their very successful season!

Jim Lineweaver Cup Game 3: Waynesboro Holds Serve

To use a tennis analogy, the Waynesboro Generals held serve against the Luray Wranglers last night in Waynesboro, holding on to home field advantage in the best of 5 series.

Amid some rain and a 30-minute lightning delay, Waynesboro's Russ Brewer threw 6 excellent innings, giving up 5 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and striking out 7. He left the mound with a 3-1 lead, but Luray touched reliever Pete VandentBout for two runs, 1 each in the 7th and 8th innings, to tie the game at 3. Jimmy Stanley earned the win with 1 2/3 shutout innings.

Luray started Carlos Gutierrez on the mound. He struggled with control, giving up 2 hits and 2 walks but no runs in 2 innings, and left after the lightning delay. Wayne Dowling followed, and gave up 3 runs (2 earned) in 3 2/3 innings. Teddy Kaufman was saddled with the loss when he gave up 2 runs in the 8th inning.

The Generals scored three times in the 6th inning. The runs scored on a Brandon Sizemore single, and Chris Enourato and Russ Brewer both walked in runs.  In the 8th, Chris Enourato tripled in the first run, and then scored on a Andrew Frezza error.

Luray scored single runs in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings. Justin Miller tripled in Tyler Kuhn in the 6th, Andrew Frezza doubled in Brett Bowen in the 7th, and Michael Hollander created a run in the 8th, with a bunt single, stolen base (and advanced to 3rd on the throwing error), and scored on Jeremy Cruz's sacrifice fly.

Tonight, the teams play in Luray. Luray will try to send the series back to Waynesboro Saturday night, while the Generals will try to wrap up the league championship!  (And I'll be there, too!)

Jim Lineweaver Cup Game 2

Well, I'm (we're) back in town. So while I'm sitting here listening to game 3, I thought I'd update everyone (briefly) on game 2. (While I could go out to the game, after traveling for almost 10 hours today, I just....can't....get...back...in...the...car.)

Anyway, the vaunted Luray pitching staff showed up in game 2, in the body (and arm) of Dustin Umberger.  Umberger is the story of this game, as he threw 7 dominant innings, allowing only 4 hits, 0 walks, and striking out 12. David Gutierrez finished up with 2 shutout innings of his own, allowing 0 baserunners and striking out 3.

Luray's third baseman Brett Bowen gave Umberger all the offense he needed with a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning. Luray also scored single runs in the 5th and the 8th to round out the scoring, as the game ended at 5-0.

To see the boxscore, click here.

Tonight's game, in Waynesboro, has Russ Brewer on the mound for the Generals, and Carlos Gutierrez for the Wranglers.

Jim Lineweaver Cup Game 1

Well. This one, by the looks of the boxscore, had a little of everything. Luray ripped 18 hits, but left 18 men on base. There were 6 errors committed, 2 wild pitches thrown, and 4 batters hit by a pitch. Waynesboro scored to tie the game when they were down to their last out. The game lasted 14 innings, and almost took 5 hours to complete.

At any rate, Waynesboro's Kurt Davidson continued his solid hitting this season with a one-out single in the bottom of the 14th inning, scoring Grant Buckner and giving the Generals a 6-5 win in game one of the Jim Lineweaver Cup finals.

Luray jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning against General starter Bryan Bokowy when Brett Bowen doubled, and later scored on Michael Hollander's single. Waynesboro answered with 4 runs against Wrangler starter Elih Villanueva in the 7th, obviously ending his shutout bid. Waynesboro scored those 4 runs on only 2 hits, but were aided by 2 walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a Villanueva throwing error. The big blow in the inning was a Pat Irvine two-RBI single.

Luray answered right back, tying the game at 4-4 in the top of the 8th inning. Andrew Frezza tripled in 2 runs to tie the game, but was then caught stealing home, catcher unassisted. (Wish I was there for that one!)

In the 9th, each team scored a single run. Tyler Kuhn of Luray scored on Justin Miller's single, and then Waynesboro answered when Chris Anninos singled in Chris Enourato with 2 outs.

Neither team scored again until the aforementioned Kurt Davidson RBI single in the 14th. Waynesboro's Trey Smith earned the win with 2 shutout innings, while Luray's Kenny Cedel received the loss.

If game 1 is any indication, it looks like these teams are very well matched. Game 2 is in Luray tonight!

Game 3, Covington vs. Waynesboro

This is the way decisive games are supposed to go: close, down to the last at-bat, coaches going to the "best available arm" from the bullpen.  Last night, the Waynesboro Generals claimed the last spot in the finals opposite Luray with a 3-2 victory over the Covington Lumberjacks.

Waynesboro sent one of their best pitchers to the mound, Jon Dages, and he did not disappoint, spinning 6 1/3 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs (only 1 earned), 0 walks, and striking out 2. His counterpoint from Covington, Brian Bowles, also threw well, even though he was credited with the loss, finishing 6 innings while giving up 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and striking out 2. The Generals' Pete Andrelczyk was credited with the win with his one clean inning of relief, while Jimmy Stanley earned his 12th save with 1 1/3 shutout innings (Pete VandentBout got an out in there, too).

Waynesboro opened the scoring with a run in the first, after Chris Anninos walked, stole second, and scored on Brian Bowles's throwing error. Another error led to the Generals' second run in the 3rd, as Kurt Davidson reached on Stephen Cardullo's error. Ryan Adams reached on a fielder's choice (Davidson out at 2nd), and Brandon Sizemore chased Adams home with a double down the left field line.

Covington drew to 2-1 with an unearned run of their own in the 4th inning. Stephen Cardullo singled with one out, and Jason Garafolo reached on a Thomas Nelson error. Kevin Thulin then hit a double to score Cardullo.  The 'Jacks tied the game in the top of the 7th inning when Cardullo hit a lead-off double, advanced to 3rd on an Adam Doleac fly out, and scored on an Evan Noell infield single.

Waynesboro answered back in the bottom of the 7th when Pat Irvine walked, went to 2nd on a wild pitch, and scored on a Kurt Davidson single.

In Covington's 9th inning, the Generals' Jimmy Stanley shut the 'Jacks down 1-2-3, not allowing Covington to even start a rally.

Now Waynesboro will move on to take on Luray in the best-of-five finals!

Championship Series Set

Last night, Waynesboro held serve against Covington, winning the game, 3-2, and the series, 2-1. Waynesboro will now move on to face the fearsome Luray Wranglers' pitching staff in a best of five series, starting tonight in Waynesboro.

I will be on the road for a while today, but I hope to do a game recap later on when the game 3 boxscore is posted on the league website.

Game 3 Postponed

Game 3 between Covington and Waynesboro was postponed last night. The two teams will try again tonight. I can't help but wonder how this will help Luray, which is waiting for the winner of this game; Coach Bocock might have time now to set up his pitching rotation to Luray's advantage. Will we see Umberger and Gilliam in games 1 and 2?

Game 2's from Round 2

And we're down to three. The Luray Wranglers eliminated the Staunton Braves last night, while the Covington Lumberjacks held on against Waynesboro to send their series to a decisive game 3 tonight.

Recaps:

Luray 11, Staunton 7 (Luray wins series 2-0)

While Luray starter Kenny Cedel did not have a stellar game, the Wranglers received excellent relief from Brandon Wallace, Wayne Dowling, and Nolan Cain to help Luray send Staunton home from the playoffs with a second-round sweep.

Luray banged out 17 hits against four Staunton pitchers, all of whom gave up runs. The Wranglers were led by Michael Hollander, who had 3 hits, 3 runs, and 1 RBI, and Tyler Kuhn, Sean Snell, Justin Miller, Gerard Hall, and Brett Bowen all added 2 hits apiece.  Jeremy Cruz added a home run.

Staunton's starter, Tyler Truxell , received the loss. The Braves were led at the plate by Zach Barrett and Chris Wilkins, each with 3 hits, and Adam Carpenter, Josh Clendenin, and David Burns added 2 each.  Staunton had a solid year, but it's Luray who will move on to the finals!

Covington 12, Waynesboro 6 (Series tied 1-1)

Covington held off elimination with a 13-hit barrage that helped lead to a 6-run 2nd inning and a 4-run 6th. The 'Jacks were led by center fielder Eric Workman, who had the big blow in the 2nd when he hit a 3-run home run. The 'Jacks also had excellent games from Jason Kipnis (no surprise there), Adam Doleac, Josh Siebenaler (back from a hand injury), and Manuel Arrojo, all of whom had 2 hits.  On the mound, Covington's Brandon White threw 5 effective innings, while Michael Hurst and Houston Brown provided solid relief.

Waynesboro's hitters were led by Kurt Davidson's 3 hits, while Chris Anninos, Brandon Sizemore, Ryan Adams, and Grant Buckner all added 2 apiece.

The rubber game is tonight in Waynesboro!

Game One, Round 2

Both semi-final series played game one last night, with #5 Staunton playing at #3 Luray, and #7 Covington at #1 Waynesboro.

Luray 6, Staunton 1 (Luray up, 1-0)

Luray once again showed its pitching dominance by shutting down Staunton behind Carlos Gutierrez, who threw 6 strong innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 unearned run, 3 walks, and striking out 3. His brother David followed with 2 shutout innings, and Teddy Kaufman pitched a shutout 9th inning. The Wranglers chased Staunton starter Robbie Conver in the third with 3 runs on 2 hits (2 walks as well), with the big blow a 2-run home run by Justin Miller.  Andrew Frezza accounted for the last 2 runs when he hit his own home run in the 6th inning off Kyle Beerbohm, and singled in Luray's last run in the 7th.

Staunton's 6 hits were spread out among 6 players; their run was driven in on a Matt Payne single.  Game 2 will be played tonight in Staunton, where the Braves will look to stay alive in this best-of-three series.

Waynesboro 5, Covington 3 (Waynesboro up, 1-0)

Hmm. The league does not have a boxscore for this game.  This is all the information I could find on this one (from the Waynesboro Generals website):
"Adam Liberatore WP(6-1) 7IP 6H 2ER 10K, Chris Enourato S(2) 2IP 3H 1ER 2K, Thomas Nelson 2-3 2R 2RBI(25), Matt Morris 2-3 1R, Brandon Sizemore 1-3 1R 1 2B(12) 1RBI(26), Pat Irvine 1-3 1R 1 2B(9) 1RBI(30), Grant Buckner 1-4 1RBI(12)."

Waynesboro travels to Covington for game 2 tonight.