Waynesboro came into the game winners of five of their last seven. As for Winchester no team in the Valley League has been hotter; winners of eight of their last ten and debuting earlier this week at #13 in PGCrosscheckers.com top 16 Collegiate Summer Teams.
In a game being promoted as a possible "Championship Preview" both teams lived up to the hype.
The score line was the same going into the bottom of the sixth inning 0 runs 2 hits 1 error. Neither pitcher would budge, and the hitters could not find their way on base.
That was until the bottom of the sixth when Generals first basemen Ryan Adams (Elon) drew a leadoff walk, followed by Jacke Healey's (Potomac State) double, the scoreless game was broken up by Grant Buckner's (West Virginia) two run double.
That was all Waynesboro would need as they capped off their sixth win in eight games by a score of 3-0 over the visting Winchester Royals.
Adam Liberatore got the start for the Generals. The Tennesse Tech southpaw came into the game with a miniscule 0.83 ERA in 21.2 innings pitched this season.
Liberatore continued his hot streak against the Royals; going 7 1/3 innings,
striking out nine, while only allowing two hits in the shutout performance. His counterpart was second time starter Chris Rigo (Ohio University). Unlike Liberatore, Rigo had struggled most of the season, allowing three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings pitched, his 5.79 was the second worst era on the Royals roster.
There was no struggling for Rigo this evening as he went six innings; struck out nine, allowing only two runs on four hits. But in a game where even the slightest mistake could change the outcome Rigo got marked with his first loss of the season.
With the loss Winchester moves into a tie for first in the North Division with the Luray Wranglers, the win improves Waynesboro's record to 11-6 half a game ahead of Covington for first in the South.
The Generals and Royals will meet again tonight at Bridgeforth Stadium in Winchester, VA to make up for the matchup that got postponed due to rain back on June 10th. The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1240 AM and on FutureMediaWorld.com
NOTES: Brandon Sizemore (Charleston) extended his hit streak to ten games with a single in the third.
Daniel Wiltz (Tennessee) picked up his team best third save of the season.
The game was postponed for an hour do to heavy thunderstorms that hit most of the valley.
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