Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
Facebook + Periscope + Instagram

Grafton battled their way to a 6-5 victory over rival Lafayette as the Rams were unable to capitalize on a late rally.

One of the more exciting arms in Virginia was on the mound for Lafayette today, Geo Rivera. The senior ODU commit walked the first two Clippers in the top of the 1st and both would end up scoring, one via a Tyler Cotten single through the right side. After that made it 2-0 Grafton the Clippers would score another making it 3-0 with a throwing error on what would have been an inning ending double play.

Grafton starter Andrew Shartzer and Rivera would exchange zero's until the top of the 5th when Grafton would tack on another run via a passed ball making it 4-0 Clippers.

In the bottom of the sixth Lafayette would mount a comeback. It all started with a fielding error that would allow the Rams hitter to reach. Three singles by Ozzie Torres, Rivera, and Ricky Sullivan would tighten things up at 4-2. Lafayette would later load the bases with two outs, but Cotten would back pick the runner at second. A rundown would ensue allowing the runner from third to score making it 4-3, but Grafton would get the third out sending it to the 7th.

In the top of the 7th Grafton would add two runs to their lead with a Zachary Wojnarowski double. Mike Labella, who came in relief, would work out of any further damage and send the Rams to bat trailing 6-3.

Two walks and a double steal would get things going for Lafayette in the bottom of the 7th and a Torres ground ball through the right side would score both of them making it 6-5 with one out and a runner in scoring position. The four hitter Rivera would come to the plate and two pitches later the Grafton pitcher would balk Torres to third, putting the tying run ninety feet away with one out. Lafayette would try their second squeeze of the game, only to be denied by a popup to the second baseman who was playing in. Brayden Hodges would then run it over to third to double up the stealing Torres and end this one at 6-5 in favor of Grafton.

Shartzer would get the win throwing five innings, allowing five hits, and one earned run. Wojnarowski would get a key double with two RBI on the day for Grafton. Cotten was 1-2 with a RBI and a run scored.

Rivera threw six innings, allowed three earned runs, only two hits, and struck out nine along the way. Thomas McLaughlin and Torres both had two hits a piece and Torres had two RBI on the day for Lafayette.