District playoffs fighting wet weather; region action starts May 28-29
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, May 19 — As much-needed rainfall delays action in the Bull Run District tournament, the Page County Panthers got some much-needed momentum heading into the playoffs with a win over rival Luray on the road Tuesday, 8-4.
The win kept Page (9-5, 9-11) ranked just above Clarke County (8-6, 13-8) to earn the fourth slot in the Bull Run tourney. The Panthers are scheduled to hit the road as the No. 4 seed to face No 1. Strasburg (14-0, 18-3) in the district semifinals, as soon as the weather allows. No. 3 Luray (9-5, 9-9) will head to Woodstock to face No. 2 Central (9-5, 13-7).
The Region 2B playoffs begin for Page on Friday, May 29 (opponent TBD). The Region 1B tournament kicks off on Thursday, May 28, when Luray is scheduled to host Buffalo Gap at 6 p.m.
The Panthers ended the regular season winning five of the last seven, with those two losses coming to Class 3 Turner Ashby from the Valley District. Luray won six of its last nine games, but all three losses came to district foes — Clarke, Strasburg and Page.
On Friday, Luray left the bases loaded for five straight innings, stranding a total of 15 base runners. The Bulldogs recorded seven hits and benefitted from a Page error, nine walks and three hit batters, but they could only convert four runs spread out over three innings.
Meanwhile, Page County only recorded four hits and stranded only three runners, but the visitors were able to tally eight runs — four of them earned — in just two innings. Luray only committed two errors during the game.
LHS senior Connor Hilliard controlled the game through three innings, only allowing one base runner (via a walk) through the first nine batters. The Bulldogs scored an unearned run in the first after receiving four free bases — three walks and a hit batter. Then things fell apart for Luray in the fourth.
Hilliard gave up a hit batter and a walk, which was followed by a two-run single by John Leake. Page then picked up two more runs off an infield error and a passed ball at home. Hilliard closed the inning on three straight strikeouts. The Panthers were up 4-1 heading to the fifth.
Hilliard was pulled after closing out the fourth and finished the day striking out eight and walking three. He gave up only one hit and two earned runs. Sophomore Cole Hilliard closed out the game on the hill.
The Bulldogs picked up another unearned run in the fifth to briefly create a narrow game at 4-2, but the Panthers broke away with four more runs in the sixth. Two runs scored off an errant throw to third and senior Caden Combs belted a two-run single to centerfield. Luray would score two more in the seventh off an error and a passed ball, but it was too little too late.
The Panthers claimed a reular season finale win over Luray, 8-4.
Page County was lead at the plate by Leake, who went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and two RBI. Combs went 1-for-4 with a single and two RBI, while sophomore Brayden Morrison went 1-for-3 with a single.
Luay was lead by seniors Nick Cubbage and Hilliard, who both went a perfect 2-for-2. Cubbage belted a pair of singles, drew two walks and was hit by a pitch. Hilliard hit a single and a ground rule double that bounced over the left-center fence, while drawing three walks (two intentional). Cole Hilliard went 2-for-5 with a single and a triple down the right-field line. Junior Trey Guzy was 1-for-2 with a double that bounced off the centerfield fence.
PCHS freshman Collin Murphy got the win on the mound for Page. The junior allowed no earned runs and five hits through 4-1/3 innings, while striking out six and walking eight. Combs closed out the game to get the save, striking out five of the 11 batters he faced in 2-2/3 innings.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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