Jeter Throws Shutout as Warhawks Advance
FAIRFAX, VA - The top ranked Madison Warhawks took the field on Memorial Day to take one step closer to the Triple A Northern Region semifinals. The opponent, the highly touted Lake Braddock Bruins, who experts locally predicted had what it took to knock off the nationally ranked Warhawks.
Madison put junior Jesse Jeter on the mound, and Lake Braddock countered with Shane Halley. Jeter's day turned out to be a little different than Halley's. Jeter threw just 62 pitches and was helped by some outstanding defensive plays in the infield and outfield. Halley on the other hand had to deal with the talented and lethal batting order of the Warhawks.
After keeping Lake Braddock scoreless in the top of the 1st inning, the Warhawks started quickly in their half of the inning when Brig Tison scored on a Arman Morini double to left centerfield. The Warhawks continued to put pressure on the Bruin defense with hits in the next few innings, then Madison blew the game open on a Collin Flaherty double that scored two runs to make the score 3-0.
Flaherty later scored to put the Warhawks up 4-0 and that is all that pitcher Jesse Jeter needed. Halley was replaced in the 5th inning by freshman Ryan Lindemuth who threw well in relief, but gave up a two out solo homerun to Warhawk Rich Conlon in the inning. Conlon's blast helped Madison extend their lead to 5-0 and Jeter closed out the contest in the bottom of the 7th without ever really feeling pressure from the Bruins.
Jeter scattered 4 hits in the contest and his performance helped the Warhawks in the Northern Region Semifinals on Wednesday against Oakton. Wednesday's matchup between Madison and Oakton will mark the second time the two teams have met this season. The Warhawks and Cougars played 11 innings in the first matchup with Madison winning. Madison will put Jason Farley on the mound and Oakton will throw their ace Eric Cantrell.
The Warhawks are currently ranked #22 in the United States by USA Today and #3 in the region by the Washington Post.
Chick-fil-A Players of the Game:
Jesse Jeter's performance on the mound was dominant on Monday as he threw 62 pitches and a complete game to help Madison advance to the semifinals against Oakton. Jeter was named the Chick-fil-A player of the game. Arman Morini was also honored with the award as his outstanding defense at first base and RBI double helped Madison extend their season.
