Four local teams advance to Bull Run semifinal
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, May 20 — The Bull Run District quarterfinal between rivals Luray and Page on Monday evening proved to be everything one would expect from two teams coming off a loss, with identical 7-7 district records, and struggling to close out a season with lots of highs and lows. Both teams were hungry for a win, and an opportunity to advance to a district semifinal matchup with Madison County on Tuesday.
For the most part, the rivalry postseason game was evenly played. Fourth-seeded Luray recorded six hits, while fifth-seeded Page had five. Both teams committed two errors, and the game was knotted up at 2-2 midway through the sixth inning. The key difference…the Panthers gave up six walks and hit three batters, while Luray rendered no walks and hit no batters.
A two-run home run by Luray catcher and clean-up hitter Cameron Weaver in the bottom of the first opened up the scoring, as Luray took a 2-0 lead all the way to the fourth. A big double by Page County senior Noah Lucas in the top of the fourth drove in senior Sean Cave, who showed some aggressive base running and good speed to get the Panthers on the board.
Page tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth off an RBI-single from junior catcher Tyler Monger. The Panthers earned the run after belting three consecutive hits — a single to centerfield by senior Jordan Foster, a triple to the right field fence by Cave, and a drive to left field by Monger.
However, Luray also had a big inning in the sixth, with a little help from Page. Hood College-commit Landon Vile beat out an infield dribbler to get on base, but he remained at first with two outs when things started going the Bulldogs way. Over the next four batters, Page would give up an RBI-single and a walk, while also committing their only two errors of the entire game. Luray’s last run was unearned in the 4-2 win.
Senior Jacob Shenk closed out the game on the mound, picking up the win in only 1-1/3 innings of work. The senior struck out three of the four batters he faced. Sophomore Connor Hilliard threw a solid 5-2/3 innings, allowing only one earned run and five hits, while striking out three and giving up no walks.
Foster gets the loss on the mound in relief. The Page senior only allowed one earned run and two hits in three innings of work. Junior Tyler Shifflett got the start, giving up two runs on only three hits in three innings on the mound.
Weaver produced the best day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Vile also went 2-for-3 for the Bulldogs, while Hilliard and sophomore Tristan Haddock produced Luray’s other two hits.
The Panthers had five players record a hit, with Monger and Lucas recording RBIs.
No. 4 Luray (8-7, 9-10) now advances to a Bull Run semifinal matchup at No. 1 Madison (10-4, 11-9) at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21. The winner advances to the district championship on Thursday at the higher seed. Monday’s win also gives Luray a greater chance of making the cut for next week’s Region 2B tournament.
With the loss, No. 5 Page County (7-8, 10-11) will have to await Region 2B seedings at the end of the week. There are several teams “on the bubble” that are competing for the last three spots — Luray (9-10), Page (10-11), Fort Defiance (8-11), Stuarts Draft (7-12). The top five spots will likely go to … Buckingham (16-0), Riverheads (15-5), Madison (11-9), Strasburg (12-8), Clarke (9-10).
OTHER DISTRICT QUARTERFINALS
The Luray girls and Page boys soccer teams were the only other local teams to advance to Tuesday’s Bull Run semifinals. Following a 4-2 quarterfinal win over No. 5 Strasburg at Bulldog Field, No. 4 Luray (9-6) will travel to No. 1 Clarke (11-1) on Tuesday. The Page boys upset No. 3 Central, 1-0, on Monday and now face No. 2 Madison on Tuesday.
The two other local soccer teams lost in the first round of district and will likely not make the cut for the Region 2B tournament next week.
However, the Page County softball team is the top seed in the Bull Run tournament and received a bye during Monday’s quarterfinals. On Tuesday, they host Clarke County for a semifinal matchup at 6 p.m.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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