Bull Run match-up features 3 home runs; Hilliard gets win in complete game
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, April 28 — Luray High School senior and JMU-commit Connor Hilliard was two outs away from a one-hit shutout on the hill Tuesday, when Page County junior Alex Good jacked a two-run homer over the left field fence in the seventh. Hilliard still picked up the win, however, as the Bulldogs belted a couple of dingers themselves en route to a Bull Run District road win, 10-2, over the rival Panthers.
Luray put runs on the board in each of the first three innings — one off an error in the first, another off a Landon Wood sacrifice fly in the second, and two runs in the third when Hilliard helped his cause with a blast over the left field fence.
The Bulldogs built up a 4-0 lead that they carried into the top of the seventh, as Hilliard only allowed three batters on base through six innings via a hit, a walk and an error.
Page County only stranded two runners all game, one in the third and one in the fifth. Neither getting past second base. That is until Good pinch hit in the seventh with one out and sailed a ball over the fence to score himself and senior Isaac Foltz, who also was a pinch hitter in the Panthers’ final at-bat. Good’s 1-for-1 performance lead Page at the plate, along with freshman Collin Murphy (1-for-3), who belted a single to left as the lead-off hitter in the first.
Luray picked up its second home run from Emery Secrist, who also belted a long ball in the top of the seventh over…the left field fence. The sophomore went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Hilliard also went 1-for-4 with a two-RBI homer. Two Bulldogs posted multiple hits. Senior Trey Guzy smacked an impressive triple to centerfield to lead off the second inning and ran out an infield single in the sixth, to go 2-for-3. Senior Landon Wood connected for a pair of singles, to go 2-for-4, with two RBI.
Hilliard pitched a complete game, allowing two earned runs on two hits — one hit in the first at-bat, and one in the last inning. The senior struck out nine, while walking two. Hilliard had a solid defense behind him, as the Bulldogs only committed two errors. The right-hander’s placement and effectiveness increased as the game progressed — earning eight of his nine strikeouts in the last four innings, and recording the last four outs via a ‘K”.
Both Luray (5-2, 5-5) and Page County (4-4, 4-8) are hovering around the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in the Bull Run, along with Clarke County (5-3, 8-5) and Central (5-3, 8-5). The Rams of Strasburg (9-0, 13-3) sit undefeated atop the district. While the Rams beat Central 7-0 and Clarke 14-4, Strasburg struggled in one-run victories over Luray (7-6) and Page County (5-4).
Up next, Luray will host Stonewall Jackson (1-8, 1-13) on Thursday, April 30; Page County will travel to Strasburg on Friday, May 1.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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