Luray advances with thrilling 3-2 victory over George Mason

Luray opened what the Bulldogs hope to be a deep run into the playoffs by edging visiting George Mason 3-2 in high school baseball action today in Luray.
Ryan Carroll sent a flair just out of the reach of Mustang second baseman Michael Ward to score Jeremy Leake with the deceiding run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Leake walked with one out and stole second base (1 of 6 steals for Luray) to set-up the big monent for Carroll.
The single by Carroll was one of just six hits allowed by Mustang starter Michael Straub. Straub went the distance and fanned 12 of the 18 Bulldogs retired during the contest but lost the pitching duel with Bulldog starter Richard Galindez.
Luray scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and appeared to have the #2 seed from the Bull Run on the ropes. Lucas Dickson walked and Johnny VanWyck singled and both Bulldogs came around to score on a double to the right field wall by Leake. Leake advance to third on a single by Billy Foley but Straub struck out the side to keep his club in the game.
George Mason tied the score in the second inning when Brian Lubnow singled home Michael Ward and Peter Campanelli scored on a throwing error to tie the game.
Both pitchers settled into a groove with Galindez avoiding disaster by retiring Lonnie Millard on a 3-2 count in the fourth inning with the bases loaded. Millard drilled a line drive to center field but VanWyck made the catch to end the rally and keep the score tied at 2-2.
Luray missed an opportunity to add some insurance when the Bulldogs had runners called out at home plate on back to back pitches in the bottom of the sixth inning. T.J Noser was tagged out after a failed squeeze bunt attempt and Dickson was out when he tried to score on a past ball.
The day belonged to Leake as the senior switched from short stop to the pitching mound in the top of the final inning. Leake shook off a 40 minute rain delay to earn the save with a pair of strike outs, including fanning Andrew Lieber to end the game with the tying run on second base.
For the afternoon Leake went 1-2, 1 run, 2 rbi and one save- not a bad line for a Memorial Day baseball game.
The victory allows Luray to return to action on Wednesday at home against the winner of Goochland- Dogwood.
Tommorrow will have Waynesboro playing it's opening playoff game at Kate Collins field at 6:00 p.m.

Dallas Baptist U. earns #2 seed / UVA heads west!

Dallas Baptist University picked-up their very first invitation to the NCAA baseball tourney. The Patriots will make the short drive to College Station as the #2 seed. Texas A+M (#1) and Houston (#3) are potential road blocks in the regional round. Illinois-Chicago rounds out the bracket as the four seed.
The opening round games will begin on Friday May 30,2008 with Dallas Baptist squaring off with the Houston Cougars. With any luck the Patriots (4 Luray 2008 players) will have an extended run into the tournament!
James Madison University (#4 seed) stays close to home but will have to face #1 N.C. State in the opening game of the Raleigh bracket.
University of Virginia players will score some frequent flyer miles as the HOOS head west as the #3 seed. UVA opens with #2 seed UCLA and also will deal with #1 seed (#5 overall) Cal-State Fullerton and Rider.
Good luck to all the players from the 64 teams! Visit www.ncaa-baseball.com for full brackets!

Kouz goes upper deck (412 Feet) in support of Maddux

Kevin Kouzmanoff (Winchester) is quickly becoming one of my favorite former Valley players! Once again the Nevada Wolf Pack star has homered with Greg Maddux on the mound. Kouz's blast put Maddux (350 wins & counting) up 4-1 after 4 innings. The first time in a long long
time Maddux has some breathing room.
UVA spotted Miami a 7-0 lead before rallying late and the Cavs dropped the ACC Championship game 8-4 to the Hurricanes. Consecutive losses take a bit of the shine off
back to back upsets over UNC & FSU but it should still give the Hoos a boost heading into the
regionals.

Jefferson and LU force 1 game show down for Big South crown

Jeff Jefferson (Luray,2008) led the Liberty University attack again as the Flames defeated #1 seed Coastal Carolina (46-12) 13-1 Saturday afternoon. The victory was the fourth straight for the Flames (35-25-1), with each one coming in a win or go home contest.
Jefferson followed up his Friday performance by going 2-4 with 3 rbi's and 1 run scored. The right fielder from Danville is now 12 for 20 (.600) with 7 runs scored and 7 rbi's for LU. The Flames took the diamond at 4:45 p.m. today in search of a five straight win and the opportunity to take the Royal Purple Big South Championship trophy back up US-Highway 29 to Lynchburg.

Wrangler to be Jeff Jefferson has huge day for Liberty/ DBU update

Liberty University (34-25-1) relied on former Wrangler Dustin Umburger to remain alive in the Big South tourney in Danville,Va. earlier today but Wrangler in waiting Jeff Jefferson stole the show in the night cap. Jefferson was playing in his hometown and he made the home folks proud as the right fielder went 5 for 5 with 4 runs scored in LU's 15-3 victory over Winthrop.
#2 seed LU advances to the final Saturday against top seed Costal Carolina after capturing three straight wins in do or die games. The Flames must defeat CC in the 1:00 p.m. contest to force a second game for the Big South trophy.

Playing as an independent has Dallas Baptist University sitting out this week with no conference tourney to try and capture. DBU moved up to #31 on the RPI rankings this week (best of all D-1 independents) and await word from the NCAA on Monday as to there Big Dance invitation. The Patriots will be sending a fourth player to Luray this week or next. 6'3 pitcher Jeremy Parrish (Texas City, Texas) will be joining Clay Kelly, Josh Wilson and Chris Haney in making the 1,800 mile journey. I guess Drew Pirtle and Wayne Dowling must of gave great reviews on the town of Luray and the Valley Baseball League.
Dowling broke away from his busy schedule to offer his thoughts on the Patriots chances to make the field of 64...
"Baseball America says we are a lock but rivals says we are in the last five in category," Dowling said. "I am getting kinda nervous but we will find out Monday."

Former Wrangler Dustin Umberger tosses complete game

2007 Wrangler pitching star Dustin Umberger (8-3) took to the mound earlier today with his Liberty Flames season on the line. Liberty (33-25-1) faced Radford in an elimination game in the Big South tourney down in Danville and Umberger went the distance in an 11-2 victory.
The celebration will be short lived as LU will be back on the diamond later tonight for a 7:00 p.m. game against the loser of the Winthrop - Coastal Carolina match-up. Umberger going the distance was big as LU skipper Jim Toman will have his entire bullpen available for the next round. Radford defeated LU 15-4 earlier in the tourney to push the Flames into the win or go home phase of the tourney earlier in the week.
Umberger carried a no hitter into the fifth inning and cruised home with the same type of dominating performance that ruled the Valley League last season. Despite the loss Radford (24-32)concludes a positive season which included capturing two games in the Big South event.
You can follow the remainder of the tourney by checking in at http://www.bigsouthsports.com/
Congrats to Dustin !

Opening Night with the Fauquier Gators 5/31/08

While in Warrenton yesterday I picked up a flyer describing the day that Alison, Cecil and company have planned for the Gators opening night. There would appear to something for all
ages so if you're in the area please stop by the field at Fauquier High School.

3:00 to 4:45 - Free Baseball Clinic (Registration 2:30-3:00) All children K-8 are welcome.

5:00 p.m. - Batting Practice

All clinic participants will be invited to join the Gators on the field for the National Anthem @ 7:30 p.m.

Concessions will be open early for this event....

For more information on opening night or the Gators visit http://www.fauquiergators.org/