Three local teams advance to Bull Run semifinals

PCHS_BB_vLUR_BRQ_05_22_23 — Sophomore Tyler Shifflett pitched the final three innings for Page in Monday's 9-5 win over Luray in the Bull Run quarterfinals. Senior Adam Short (background) went 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBI.

By Randy Arrington

SHENANDOAH, May 22 — The fourth-seeded Page County baseball team took a 9-5 decision over No. 5 Luray in Monday’s quarterfinal round of the Bull Run District Tournament. The Panthers now advance to the Bull Run semifinals this evening, as they travel to Madison County (16-5) to take on the top-ranked Mountaineers at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday, both the Panthers and the Bulldogs entered the quarterfinal with identical overall records of 8-12, as well as identical district records of 7-9. Page was on a bit of an upswing, winning three of their last four (after losing six straight), while Luray had lost two of three (after winning five straight). Both local teams have gone through winning and losing streaks in an up and down 2023 season.

Luray struck first, sending eight batters to the plate in the first inning that produced three runs off two hits and one Page error. Junior Christian Lentz belted an RBI-double to left field that brought in the game’s first run, which was followed by two unearned runs off an infield mishap.

Page answered back with two runs in the second to trail 3-2 following an unearned run off an infield error and an RBI-single from senior Jacob Williams. The Panthers added three more runs in the third off an RBI-single from senior Adam Short and a triple from junior Sean Cave that brought in two runs. Page held a 5-3 lead after three complete.

Luray posted two more runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 5-5. The Bulldogs went on a two-out rally that put together three consecutive hits, ending with a deep double to the left field fence by junior Jacob Shenk that drove in both runs.

Page would score the last runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth, as the home team tacked on four more to take a final 9-5 lead. Senior Hayden Plum belted a stand-up triple to the center field fence, driving in two runs, while senior Gunnar Strickler and Short both hit RBI-singles.

Page County (9-12) was lead at the plate by Short, who went 3-for-4 with three singles and two RBI. Seniors Noah Lucas and Williams both went 2-for-3, while Strickler finished the day at 2-for-4. The Panthers put together a total of 12 hits during the game, while committing only one error in the field.

Luray (8-13) was lead at the plate by Lentz, who went 2-for-4 with a single, a double and an RBI. Lentz was the only Bulldog with more than one hit. The team produced a total of seven hits during the game, while committing three errors in the field.

Page sweep Luray in all three meetings this season, winning 10-0 at Luray on March 21, and 6-0 at Page on April 17. While Page advances and travels to No. 1 Madison (16-5) this evening, Luray now awaits the seedings for next week’s Region B tournament.

Bull Run District Semifinals — Tuesday, May 23

#4 Page County (9-12) @ #1 Madison County (16-5)
#3 Mt. View (12-9) @ #2 East Rockingham (16-4)

SOFTBALL

SHENANDOAH, May 22 — The Page County softball team showed off their dominance in the quarterfinal round of the Bull Run District Tournament on Monday with an 18-0 win over No. 8 seed Mt. View. The Panthers (18-3) have now won 11 in-a-row heading into Tuesday’s semifinal against No. 5 Central (12-9).

No. 2 East Rockingham (15-5) awaits a showdown with Page in the championship — if they can get past Clarke (11-8), which struggled through the latter half of the season. Third-seeded Clarke beat No. 6 Madison in the quarterfinal round 15-1.

A Page/East Rock championship is highly likely, and highly anticipated after the thriller the two teams posted in the regular season finale at Page on May 19. The Panthers pulled out a dramatic walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh in a well-played game by both teams.

Page hosts Central (12-9) in a district semifinal Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.

Bull Run District Semifinals — Tuesday, May 23

#5 Central of Woodstock (12-9) @ #1 Page County (18-3)
#3 Clarke County (11-8) @ #2 East Rockingham (15-5)

GIRLS SOCCER

LURAY, May 22 — The Luray girls soccer team (12-5) advanced to the Bull Run semifinal later today after a 5-2 win over cross-county rival Page on Monday. The Bulldogs have been fairly solid this year, with two of their five losses coming to undefeated Clarke (16-0).

In today’s semifinals at 6 p.m., the Bulldogs will host No. 6 seed Mt. View (7-7-1), who upset No. 3 Central in Monday’s quarterfinal round. Top-seeded Clarke got a bye through the first round and will now host No. 4 Strasburg (11-5-1).

Clarke is the favorite to win not only the district, but the Region B tournament as well. The perennial powerhouse in both boys and girls soccer should enjoy a strong postseason once again. Page County is on the bubble as to whether or not they will earn a No. 8 seed in the Region B tourney next week.

Bull Run District Semifinals — Tuesday, May 23

#4 Strasburg (11-5-1) @ #1 Clarke County (16-0)
#6 Mt. View (7-7-1) @ #2 Luray (12-5)

BOYS SOCCER

BERRYVILLE, May 22 — The undefeated Eagles of Clarke County (17-0) left little doubt in the opening round of the Bull Run District Tournament on Monday as they defeated No. 8 seed Page County, 18-0. The Eagles are the odds-on favorite to win both the district and Region B tournaments.

Once they get past Mt. View, Clarke will have a tougher matchup in Thursday’s championship against likely opponent Madison (14-3). The Mountaineers handed No. 7 Luray a decisive 8-0 loss in yesterday’s quarterfinal. However, Madison has a tough semifinal Tuesday with evenly-matched Strasburg (14-3).

It is uncertain at this point whether Luray or Page will get an invite to the Region B tourney next week. Luray could potentially be on the bubble for a No. 8 seed and would likely face Clarke in the first round. Page County most likely ended their season on Monday.

Bull Run District Semifinals — Tuesday, May 23