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On Thursday I took in three Class 5A Region A quarterfinal games at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, VA. Today we take a look back at all the action with game recaps, video highlights, and some notes on a few players that stood out in those games.

Gloucester vs Hickory

To start, we have the first game of the day between the Hickory Hawks and the Gloucester Dukes. The #2 seeded Hawks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead via an Austin Jones double to left field that would score Jonny Pascale. Jones' double was followed up by a Cooper Newell ground out that pushed Jones across and made it 2-0 Hickory. That score would hold for a bit while Hawks starter Cooper Newell (JMU) and Dukes starter Bailey Hudgins (Thomas Nelson CC) would make quick work of opposing hitters. In the fourth inning the Dukes would pull within one on an RBI single. That would be as close as Gloucester would get, as 2022 Jacob Smith extended the Hawks lead with a RBI double in the top of the sixth, making it 3-1. The winning pitcher was Cooper Newell who threw five innings, struck out seven, and gave up one earned run. Hudgins threw a complete game, scattering five hits, and gave up no earned runs. Branden Walsh got the save for the Hawks, working a quick two innings in twenty-one pitches. 

. @HickoryBaseball strikes first after a Austin Jones double scores Pascale.

Jones scored on a Newell groundout.

2-0 Hawks after one half over Gloucester. @PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_ #PBRIsThere

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2022 Cooper Newell (@HickoryBaseball l @JMUBaseball)

Works a scoreless 2 IP for the Hawks. Feel for FB/CB.

FB 84-87 (83x1)
CB 71-73 slurvy shape
SL 73-75 tight late@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/JaT9LO4xlg

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2022 Jacob Smith doubles to deep RCF and extends the @HickoryBaseball lead to 3-1.

Headed to B6 of the 5A Region A @VHSL_ Quarterfinals @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/W5GRGrkDD0

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

. @HickoryBaseball moves on to the 5A Region A semi’s with a 3-1 win over Gloucester.

2022 Brandon Walsh comes on & throws 2 shutout IP. Weak early contact, including this low LD to CF that Austin Jones made a nice diving play on.

FB 78-80
BB 68-71@PBRVirginiaDC #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/gmVCiwGzwe

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

Frank W. Cox vs Maury

The much anticipated matchup between the Cox Falcons and the Maury Commodores did not disappoint. In the first inning Cox scored after the Maury defense made two defensive errors with two outs that would allow Ethan Anderson (UVA) to score and make it 1-0. Cox would extend their lead in the bottom of the third when Sam Slevin (Randolph-Macon) stole home with two outs to make it 2-0. Two batters later Gavin Spencer (CNU) singled to shallow right center field and it would score Fenwick Trimble (JMU) bringing it to 3-0 Cox. Maury would answer back in the top of the fifth when Kennedy Jones (UNC-G) singled home Tre Keels (Miami) to make it 3-1. The next hitter Matthew Phillips would ignite the Maury offense with a no doubter out of right field that would bring home two runs and make it a 3-3 game. In the bottom of the fifth Cox would get a two out double from Virginia Wesleyan commit John Bastiaans that would score two runners, who reached via two out walks. With the score 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth Maury's Keels would single again, this time to center field scoring Cam Johnson bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of Cox. The 5-4 tally would hold through the 7th, as Sam Slevin came on in relief for Cox and got a quick 1-2-3 to send the Falcons to the Region A semi-finals. Michael Irby threw a strong three and two-thirds for Cox. Irby allowed only one hit and struck out seven, while surrendering zero runs. 

 

2023 Michael Irby (@Cox__Baseball l @ECUBaseball commit)

Gets the start for the Falcons. 4 punches through 2 IP. Flashed FB command to GS. Feel for 2 secondary pitches.

FB 81-85
SL 72-74
CH 73-75@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/BMaf1SbcsA

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2021 Antwan Walton (@maury_baseball l @ODUBaseball commit)

Ultra projectable frame. Long loose arm. Easy velo. SL is developing but flashes S&M. High ceiling arm.

FB 87-92 T93 (mostly 89-91)
SL 81-85 @PBRVirginiaDC @NathanRode @ShooterHunt #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/czWpoPVem5

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2022 Tre Keels leads off the T3 for @maury_baseball with a line drive single into RCF. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/m4xszc2Yia

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

Irby works out of runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Gets 2 punchouts on changeups to keep it at 1-0 in favor of @Cox__Baseball over Maury.

Headed to B3. @PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_ #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/oeQa4VtdKb

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2022 Matthew Phillips with ? over the RF fence and we are all tied up in the T5.

A ‘22 bat w/ some 2-way potential that has continued to trend up since the winter. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2022 Tre Keels with his 3rd hit of the day. This one a RBI single up the middle to make it 5-4.

The @CanesBaseball commit brings @maury_baseball back within one.

Headed to B6 5-4 Falcons lead@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/bWk2sofTob

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

Little taste of uncommitted ‘22 Cullen McKay (@maury_baseball)

Quick whippy 3/4 arm. Athletic mover. Varies tempos.

FB 88-90 T91 from windup
85-87 from stretch
BB 75-77 avg feel
CH 84@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt @PBR_Uncommitted #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/Q1RNTh7I7I

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2021 @RMCJackets commit Sam Slevin shuts the ? for @Cox__Baseball and the Falcons advance to Region 5A semi’s.

Cox 5
Maury 4

Falcons will face Hickory on Tuesday. @PBRVirginiaDC @VHSL_ #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/WWjUXKrdEf

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

Nansemond River vs Bethel

Nansemond River came out hot in this one. The Warriors put up three runs in the bottom of the first on four hits, including an RBI triple by Ayden Stuffel. At the end of the first the Warriors led 3-0. In the second Nansemond River threw up another three spot off back to back doubles by Clay Grady (Virginia Tech) and Grayson Fitzwater. That would be all the scoring that would happen, as Micah Wetzler came on in relief for Bethel and shut the Nansemond River offense down. Wetzler threw four and two-thirds innings of shutout baseball. Gavin Gregory (Radford) got the win for Nansemond River. Gregory threw six shutout innings, allowing three hits, and striking out three. 

2021 @RadfordBaseball commit Cam Pittman doubles in the B3 for Nansemond River.

No runs would score in the bottom half and score holds 6-0 as we head to T4. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRisThere pic.twitter.com/0dzqBijzSX

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021

2024 Aden Judge (Nansemond River)

Distinct adjustment with 2K in this AB. Strong hands, above average runner, and versatile defender.

Still 6-0 Warriors after 5 complete. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRisThere pic.twitter.com/RQmQXBTvvm

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021