Page gains momentum before heading to Luray Tuesday for season finale
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, May 15 — The Page County Panthers wrapped up their home schedule on Friday as they honored the team’s three seniors and picked up a Bull Run District win over Clarke County, 8-4. The Panthers are not set to end the regular season on the road at Luray on Tuesday.
Junior John Leake lead the way for the Panthers on Friday, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a single and a double, while also pitching nearly a complete game. Leake gave up three earned runs off seven hits in 6-2/3 innings of work, while striking out eight and walking two.
Seven of Page County’s nine starters recorded a hit against Clarke. Sophomore Gavin Henry went 2-for-3 with two singles and two RBI, and senior Isaac Foltz went 2-for-3 with a single and a double. Overall, the Panthers recorded eight runs off a total of 10 hits and one Clarke error.
Page opened up the scoring in the first off an RBI single from Henry, and exploded for six runs in the second off six hits. Clarke answered back with a run in the third off a solo home run by senior Jacob Reichert and added another in the fourth off an RBI-single from senior Aidan Genda.
The Panthers added their final run in the fifth off a fielder’s choice. Clarke responded with another solo home run in the sixth, this time by senior Brady MacDonald. One final Clarke run off an RBI double from senior Trenton Fox capped off the scoring.
Both teams played great defense, with several spectacular catches by both teams. Only one error was committed during the game — a Clarke misstep in the sixth off a pinch hit by senior Joshua Knott.
The Eagles posted four runs off nine hits, with three players recording multiple hits. Reichert went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run, MacDonald went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double, and senior Logan Davis went 2-for-3 with two singles. Both teams stranded seven runners on base during the game.
With the win, Page County (8-5, 8-10) sits just behind third place Luray (8-4, 8-8) in the Bull Run standings. The two county rivals meet in the regular season finale at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
The top two teams in the district will also face off on Tuesday, as Central (9-4,13-6) hosts Strasburg (13-0, 17-3). The Rams have already clinched the regular season title and will earn the No.1 slot for the district tournament (and likely for the Region 2B playoffs as well).
However, positions No. 2 through No. 5 are only separated by one or two games. Each of those teams have challenged the Rams during the regular season — two close games against Luray (one come-from-behind victory), a one-run win over Page, a two-run win over Clarke. So, while Strasburg still emerges as the favorite, the district and region tournaments are still up for gabs…as well two tickets to the state tournament.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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