Cougars Stun Warhawks 2-1, Advance To Finals
VIENNA, VA - For the second straight season, the Oakton Cougars had an opportunity to knock out the favored and nationally ranked Madison Warhawk baseball team from the playoffs. The Cougars entered Wednesday's primetime matchup with Madison having won 20 of their last 21 games, and looking to avenge an earlier season loss that was decided in extra innings at Madison High School.
The pitchers in Wednesday's matchup were highly touted Warhawk Jason Farley, and the guy that Oakton fans called the X-factor, Eric Cantrell. Cantrell didn't pitch in the regular season contest that saw Farley and the Warhawks win, so Wednesday's game was an opportunity for the hard throwing righthander to even the score.
Madison started the game off quickly scoring first in the bottom of the second inning when David McIntyre crossed home plate after Cougar shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez chose to tag out the runner in a pickle between first and second instead of throwing home to get McIntyre.
The Cougars would answer later in the game when Kevin Wager crossed home plate to tie the game at 1-1. Madison southpaw Jason Farley continued to throw well as the Cougars didn't threaten again until the top of the 7th inning. Oakton's Connor Madden stepped into the batter's box with 1 out and singled to left field, and then made what proved to be the decision of the game. Wager came to the plate again and this time belted another single for the Cougars in between the third baseman and shortstop, and because the play pulled off Warhawk third baseman Andrew Shrock into the hole, Madden decided to head for third base on the play. The throw came in a tad high from left field and Madden slid in safely to give the Cougars runners on first and third with still only one out.
That brought up Cougar shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez, who took the signal from head coach Scott Rowland from third base, and proceeded to lay down the perfect safety squeeze bunt that scored Madden. The Cougars took the lead 2-1 and put the game in pitcher Eric Cantrell's hands to close it out.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Madison led off the inning with a single from slugger Sterling Sams. Sams would later advance to second on a Rich Conlon bunt to put the tying run in scoring position. With one out, David McIntyre came to the plate again and drilled a Cantrell fastball to right centerfield, but Cougar centerfielder Mark Stier lunged to make the catch of the game for the second out of the inning. Warhawk Andrew Shrock came to the plate with two outs and Sams still stranded at second base with Madison's season riding on his at bat. Cantrell proceeded to strike out Shrock to end the game, and Madison's season.
Cantrell was named the Chick-fil-A player of the game with his 5 hit performance, only giving up 1 earned run while striking out 3. Teammate Connor Madden also took home the Chick-fil-A player of the game honor with his heads up base running decision late in the game that led to the Oakton win.
With the victory, Oakton now advances to the Regional Championship game on Friday against South County. The winner will play at home in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday, and the loser will head on the road to face a higher seed. South County won 3-1 today against Langley in the first game at Madison this afternoon.
With the loss, Madison finishes their season one game short of making the state quarterfinals. For the second year in a row, the Warhawks were knocked out of tournament play by their cross town rival Oakton. Madison was nationally ranked all season long and won the Liberty District for the 5th time in 6 years.
