Heritage Tops Menchville 21-20

 NEWPORT NEWS – In both teams’ Peninsula District opener, Menchville, behind the power of Charlie Wilson’s 241 rushing yards, held on for a one-point win over city rival Heritage.

In a game married by 24 penalties, the Monarchs (1-1) were never in charge of the game until Corey Harris intercepted a Derrick Gurley Jr. pass in the game’s final minute. At the time, the Hurricanes (0-2) had just converted a 4th-and-3 from the 33, as Gurley’s pass was snared just inside the sideline by Sterling Anderson who landed right on the 30 before being pushed out of bounds.

The loss for Heritage overshadowed a sparkling game from Anderson, who scored on a 91-yard pass play, set up by Menchville’s failure to drop anyone back at safety. The senior also followed up Wilson’s 62-yard touchdown run with a 94-yard kickoff return for a score.

Wilson carried the ball 33 times, including eight for 51 yards on the game-clinching scoring drive. But the senior, who also plays free safety, was quick to recognize the defense.

“Defense wins championships,” said Wilson, who also made some notable tackles on Gurley (12 carries, 106 yards), who escaped the pocket on numerous occasions, leading to several games of cat-and-mouse with the Monarch defenders.

Coach Rodney Wilson praised his team, telling them after the game – “we could have given up, but tonight we showed our heart!”

Menchville held a tenuous 7-6 lead at the half, but passed up numerous opportunities to extend the margin. Three of Gurley’s first four passes were almost intercepted by Monarch defenders, and most of the seven first-half penalties came during long gains, including a 47-yard touchdown run by Amir Harrison, which was called back due to a holding call.

Yet, the Menchville defense held tight. Aside from a 70-yard dash by Gurley, the Hurricanes managed just 54 yards in the opening half. However, Gurley’s long run, from the Heritage 17 to the Monarch 13, set up an eight-yard pass between Gurley and slot receiver Zachary Ray, who connected on a crossing pattern. The Canes quarterback provided most of the offense for his team in the first half, with 93 rushing yards on six carries.

On the Monarch side, Harrison, who rushed for 104 rushing in the season opening loss to Western Branch, opted to hand off to Wilson, who picked up 108 yards rushing on 14 first-half carries.

                    Her.    Men.

1st Downs    8,  14   

Rush – Yds   20-115, 49-376  

Pass Yds.       140, 29       

C- A – I        6-19-2, 4-13-1 

Punts – Avg.   5-31, 4-28

Pen. Yds.       10-65, 14-145

Fumb – Lost   2-1, 1-0

Heritage          0, 6, 7, 7 -- 20

Menchville      0, 7, 7, 7 -- 21

M – Shane Reimann 7 pass from Amir Harrison (Edwin Baker kick)

H – Zachary Ray 8 pass from Derrick Gurley Jr. (kick failed)

H – Sterling Anderson 91 pass from Gurley (kick failed)

M – Charlie Wilson 62 run (Baker run)

H – Anderson 94 kick return (Cunningham pass from Gurley)

M – Wilson 4 run (Baker kick)

Lionsbridge FC Reaches National Soccer Final

Lionsbridge FC 1, Villages SC 1 (Lionsbridge wins 4-3 on penalty kicks)

NEWPORT NEWS – On the biggest day of his team’s history, the newest member of the Lionsbridge FC delivered the most important kick in its five-year history.

Coleman Jennings nailed the fifth of five penalty kicks for Lionsbridge, breaking a 3-3 draw in the final round and sending the hosts to the USL League 2 national championship against Ballard FC, which will be held on Saturday in Seattle, Washington.

Jennings, who just joined the club last week, was even keeled about his new place in the team’s five-year history.

“I just wanted to deliver for the boys,” said Jennings, who hit a perfect line drive into the right side of the net sending the home crowd, which filled the TowneBank Stadium bleachers, into a frenzy.

Davide Materazzi, Sam Hall, and Andrew Bennett also scored on penalty kicks for Lionsbridge.

Jennings’s game-winner was preceded by a crucial save from goalie Tyler Hogan who stopped a grounder by Pedro Santos to keep the bonus round tied.

Asked if Santos tipped him off about which direction he might send the ball, Hogan said, “I know where I’m going before they (kick) it.”

For Lionsbridge (14-2-3), the win extended its streak to eight, as well as its home unbeaten run, which now stands at 32 games. 

The win ends a rugged nine-day stretch for the Eastern Conference champions, who played four games, including two overtime matches this weekend, the first of which lasted until 1:30 am.

The first half was scoreless and highlighted by some rough-and-tumble play and few scoring opportunities. Villages’ Nicolai Muench had the first open shot at goal at the ten-minute mark, receiving a pass within ten yards of the Lionsbridge goal, with only keeper Hogan to beat. But his attempt from the near right side, hit the outside of the goal, getting caught in the netting.

Five minutes later, Lionsbridge midfielder Bennett hooked a 30-yard attempt over the Villages defense and directly toward the top of the Villages goal. But Mathias Tieppo leaped to bat the ball over the crossbar.

Play got chippy in the second half. At the 50-minute mark, a shoving match among several members of both teams broke out near midfield, and two minutes later, Lionsbridge’s Harri Rowe drew a yellow card for upending Muench.

“They’re a physical team,” said coach Chris Whalley. “I think we handled it well.”

Ironically, it was the hosts who eventually benefitted. Lionsbridge earned a free kick from 35 yards out after Sam Hall was pushed to the turf while dribbling. Bennett’s kick was recovered by Adam Kirkwood, who turned to deliver a line drive toward the goal. The ball hit the crossbar, but an alert Josh Baker dove to head in the rebound for a game tying score.

The good news was almost short lived. Villages dribbled into the Lionsbridge zone and sent a kick toward goal where the ball started bouncing toward the net, with Hogan caught five yards outside of the goal.  Instinctively, he turned to chase the ball, which he managed to bat out of the crease with his right hand, saving what would have been the game-winning goal as the two clubs played to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation.

York Drops State Softball Final

 

FREDERICKSBURG --- After defeating Brentsville and Cave Spring to reach the Class 3 state softball final, the York Falcons hope of claiming its first ever title fell just short on Saturday with the Falcons falling to Northside of Roanoke 3-1.

Still, for York, this season can be considered successful, as Coach Amy Hunter’s team overcame a 1-2 start with two Bay Rivers District losses and a fourth place finish in the district. Despite dropping the Class 3, Region A final to New Kent, the Falcons advanced to the state tournament as the A2 seed, and proceeded to topple a pair of #1 seeds to reach the final game.

The Falcons (18-8) were defiant to the end, scoring the first run of the game in the third inning. Brianna Petrolia walked, and scored on an RBI double from Morgan Hunter. The Falcons held the 1-0 advantage into the fifth inning when the Northside bats came to life. The Vikings struck for two runs, and added an insurance run in the seventh to claim the championship.

Sarah Witt performed admirably on the mound, allowing just two hits and striking out five, but fell victim to five walks, which put Northside runners in scoring position late in the game. For the season, Witt finished with a 2.43 ERA, while batting .485 and leading the Falcons in homeruns, slugging percentage and runs batted in.

Petrolia topped the Falcons in runs scored with 33, while Morgan Hunter hit .509 to pace an offensive arsenal that collectively batted a rousing .414. By comparison, Witt and Petrolia gave up a stingy .207 batting average to opposing batters.

Otstot, Spady Win Yorktown Freedom Run

From the Peninsula Track Club

Despite a rainy Memorial Day weekend, the 2023 edition of the Yorktown Freedom Run Memorial Day 8K was actually held under fairly good running conditions; overcast with an occasional mist and a temperature of 66 degrees at race start.  205 runners entered the 8K Run with 192 completing the 8K loop course on the scenic Yorktown Battlefield.  31 runners and walkers entered the accompanying 5K fun run with 27 finishing the 5K.  There were no awards for the fun run. 

One new 8K overall record and 11 new age group course records for the Yorktown Freedom Run Memorial Day 8K were set today.

For the second year in a row, a new course record for Women Overall was established.  In 2022, Maria Spady, 31 of Hampton VA set the Women Overall record with a time of 30:27, beating the previous record of 30:57 set by Bethany Spector in 2021.  In 2023, Bethany Spector, 33 of Virginia Beach VA returned the favor by beating the time set by Maria Spady and again setting a new Women Overall record with a time of 30:15 (6:05 per mile pace)

That time of 30:15 by Bethany Spector is also a new age group record for Women 30-34 which was also previously held by Maria Spady.

The second Woman Overall, Sabrina Little, 36 of Newport News VA set a new age group record for Women 35-39 with a time of 30:58 besting the previous record time of 32:49 set by Jessica Riggs in 2015.

The first Master Woman, Deelyn Robinson, 57 of Williamsburg VA set a new age group record for Women 55-59 with a time of 35:07, beating the previous record of 35:28 set by Mercedes Castillo-D'Amico in 2017.

Third Master Woman, Megan Schulze, 40 of Newport News set a new age group record for Women 40-44 with a time of 35:12 beating the old record of 36:14 set by Karen Sanzo in 2021.

Other age group records include Isabella Strumke, 9 of Toano VA who broke the age group record for Women 9 and under with a time of 32:49 bettering the record of 37:12 that Isabella herself set in 2022.

For Women 60-64, Becky Upton, 60 of Virginia Beach VA set a new age group record with a time of 40:25 beating the previous record of 42:11 set by Norma Phillips in 2021.

For Women 75 and over, Barbara Biasi, 75 of Yorktown VA established a new age group record with a time of 55:41.  Barbara is also the current age group record holder for Women 65-69 (44:36) and Women 70-74 (49:31).

For the men, Overall winner, Adam Otstot, 41 of Williamsburg VA set a new age group record for Men 40-44 with a time of 25:51 beating the time of 28:44 set by Douglas Marshall in 2015.

For Men 10-14, Dillon DeMay, 14 of Poquoson VA set a new age group record with a time of 33:45 beating the previous record of 34:34 set by Jack Strumke in 2022.

For Men 60-64, Robert Whitaker, 64 of Yorktown VA set a new age group record with a time of 32:04 besting the time of 34:34 set by by Kelvin Anderson in 2021.

Finally, for Men 65-69, Pete Gibson, 67 of Murfreesboro NC set a new age group record with a time of 32:38 beating the previous mark of 34:33 set by Stephen Chantry in 2021.

Finish line and results services were provided by the Peninsula Track Club.  A copy of the results, links to pictures from the race and listings for future road races can be found on the PTC website: www.peninsulatrackclub.com. 

Lady Captains Softball Makes Elite Eight (as seen in Daily Press and Virginian Pilot)

NEWPORT NEWS – The Christopher Newport Captains will move on to the NCAA Division III softball Elite Eight at Taylor Field in Marshall, Texas, starting June 1.

With one swing, Katie Currin made sure of it, helping CNU defeat Virginia Wesleyan 6-4 Saturday afternoon at Captains Park in a decisive Super Regional Game 3.

The Captains, who won 3-1 Friday in Game 1, needed one win Saturday to capture the best-of-three series. However, they lost Saturday’s first game by a 5-2 count, forcing Game 3.

With the season on the line, both teams matched up their aces. CNU opted for Kate Alger, Friday’s winner, and VWU reciprocated with Lauren Bible, who entered the game with a 15-1 season record.

CNU, which lost a coin flip and therefore batted first in Game 3, jumped to a 3-0 lead, then allowed the Marlins to chip away. VWU eventually tied the game at 3 in the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth, Brooke Childress drew a walk to open the inning, and Kensley Hess beat out a bunt, putting runners on first and second. Kendall Bentley’s sacrifice put them on second and third, leaving CNU coach Keith Parr to make a gutsy decision to pinch-hit Currin for Abby Rochette.

“Katie has been good in these situations. She stays ready to play, and we needed hard contact,” he said.

Parr could not have asked for a better response as Currin entered the game and drilled the first pitch over the left-center-field fence, breaking open the game into a 6-3 CNU lead.

From there, Alger could relax a bit and finish out the proceedings.

“I am so happy for Katie. No one deserved it more,” Alger said. “(The home run) helped a lot.

Currin, named the Super Regional’s outstanding player, said, “We were talking about it in the dugout and I was looking (for an outside pitch). I was ready.”

Parr, hoping for Currin to bring home a run, appreciated the outcome of his decision, saying, “The home run was a big bonus.”

The Marlins (39-13) would score one more run but could not negotiate enough of a rally to pull even.

“We knew it would be a battle,” Virginia Wesleyan coach Brandon Elliott said. “Our team could have folded, but they did everything that was asked of them. I couldn’t be more proud.”

The CNU-VWU rivalry is unique as two teams have won four of the last five Division III championships. CNU is the defending champion after last season’s historic 47-1 season.

CNU’s conference rival Salisbury and Coe, from Iowa, will be two of the three other teams in Bracket 1 with CNU in the double-elimination round.

The equalizer

Virginia Wesleyan forced the third game behind the momentum of a four-run third inning that buoyed the Marlins to a 5-2 win.

CNU threatened to put the game away early, scoring both of its runs in the top of the first inning. Bianca Palmer-Scott led off with a single and promptly stole second base. Meredith Brickner advanced Palmer-Scott to third with a sacrifice bunt. Nicole Apai walked and reached second on a fielder’s choice.

Both runners scored when Hess’ grounder to first went through the legs of the Marlins’ first baseman into right field.

Virginia Wesleyan cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second when Caitlyn Myers drilled a Jamie Martin pitch over the center-field fence.

Sarah Prosser opened the bottom of the third with a chopper over Martin’s head and beat the throw to first. A stolen base followed, along with another high hopper from Laci Campbell that was bobbled by Martin, putting runners on first and third.

Campbell’s attempt to steal third was boosted when the catcher’s throw went into center field, scoring Prosser. Campbell would score next on Alison Pollack’s sacrifice fly.

Emma Adams singled and Emily Halloway came on to pinch-run, scoring on Myers’ triple. Myers scored the final run on a Julie Piotrowski double.

While Martin hit rough patches in the fourth, she settled down and held the Marlins scoreless for the rest of the game. However, the Captains’ bats never woke up. Emily Seale (16-6) gave up four hits for the win.

Trevor Binau Earns Top-10 Finish; Tribe Garners Fourth at CAA Championships

(From W&M Sports Dept.)

BEAUFORT, S.C. – For the second-straight year, senior Trevor Binau shot even par and earned a top-10 finish to lead four Tribe players in the top 20 at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships on Tuesday. As a team, the Tribe carded its second-best 54-hole CAA Championship total in program history on the way to finishing in fourth.

After a ninth-placing showing in 2022, Binau finished in eighth this year. He closed out the tournament with a 1-over 73 on Tuesday, wrapping up an even-par 216. After a 2-over 38 through his opening nine holes, Binau made eight-straight pars on the back nine, before birdieing the par-5, 558-yard 18th hole. For the tournament, he ranked fourth in par-3 scoring at 1-under and seventh in birdies with a team-high 10.
 
The Tribe shot a final round 292 (+4) on Tuesday, which was the third best final round in the tournament. W&M shot a three-round total of 878 (+14) for the second time in three years. The total is tied for the second best in the Tribe's 38-year history at the CAA Championship, trailing only an 859 (-5) in 2002.
 
UNCW held on to win the CAA Championship behind a 15-under 849, holding off a charging Elon (858). The Phoenix shot a 10-under 278 on Tuesday to move up to second place followed by Drexel (872). W&M finished in a tie for fourth place with defending league champion Charleston.
 
Graduate student Matthew Feinstein posted his best round of the tournament on Tuesday, carding a 1-under 71. He recorded six birdies during his round, including four-straight on holes 10, 11, 12 and 13 to start his back nine. Feinstein finished with the third-best single-season scoring average in school history at 72.69.
 
Feinstein and Hunter both finished in a share of 18th at 222 (+6). For the second-straight day, Hunter carded an even-par 72 that included a quartet of birdies. He increased his school-record of rounds at par or better in a season to 15.
 
Freshman Charlie Bundy shot a 76 (+4) in his final round and finished the tournament in 13th place. He finished third in the event with 38 pars, including 15 in the final round. His single-season scoring averaged of 74.1 was the fourth-best for a Tribe freshman in school history.
 
Freshman Davis Adams rounded out the Tribe competitors at the CAA Championships, finishing in 33rd at 230 (+14). He fired a 77 (+5) on the final day of the competition.
 
W&M closed out the season with a program-record scoring average of 292.24. It topped the previous mark of 293.8, set in 2021, by more than a stroke.
 
CAA Championships
Dataw Island Club
Par 72, 6998 yards
 
Team Standings
1. UNCW -15 | 849 (289-273-287)
2. Elon -6 | 858 (298-282-278)
3. Drexel +8 | 872 (285-293-294)
T4. William & Mary +14 | 878 (296-290-292)
T4. Charleston +14 | 878 (291-288-299)
6. Delaware +20 | 884 (300-291-293)
7. Towson +47 | 911 (307-291-313)
8. Monmouth +65 | 929 (313-299-317)
9. North Carolina A&T +67 | 931 (302-309-320)
10. Hofstra +105 | 969 (316-315-338)
 
Top 5
1. Patrick Sparks (UNCW) -11 | 205 (68-65-72)
2. Drue Nicholas (Drexel) -7 | 209 (71-69-69)
T3. Matt Doyle (Elon) -4 | 212 (72-69-71)
T3. Walker Isley (UNCW) -4 | 212 (76-67-69)
T5. Kieron van Wyk (CofC) -2 | 214 (70-69-75)
T5. Landon Durham (Elon) -2 | 214 (76-68-70)
 
W&M Results
8. Trevor Binau E | 216 (72-71-73)
T13. Charlie Bundy +4 | 220 (71-73-76)
T18 Logan Hunter +6 | 222 (78-72-72)
T18. Matthew Feinstein +6 | 222  (75-76-71)
33. Davis Adams +14 | 230 (79-74-77)