Basso, Bulldogs, Blank McLean 2-0
VIENNA, VA - With all of the rains in the area over the last week; players, coaches and fans weren't so sure the Liberty district semi final games would be played tonight. But the grounds crew at Madison did a great job getting the field in shape. After a thrilling 4-3 victory by #2 seed Madison over the 3 seed Langley, the Liberty regular season champion Stone Bridge Bulldogs faced off against the 4 seed McLean Highlanders in the nightcap. Coach Sam Plank trotted out Liberty Pitcher of the Year Tyler Basso against first team All district righty Denis Buckley. These two faced eached other on April 18, with Buckley coming out on top as McLean defeated the Bulldogs 4-1 in Ashburn. Many were expecting a pitcher's duel, and that's what they got this evening in Vienna.
Riley Beiro struck out. Chris Russo was called out on strikes. Sean Fitzgerald walked. Quinn Pippin walked. Erik Payne walked. But Basso got out of the jam by striking out Buckley. Sr C Brian Wheaton grounded out. Jr RF Michael Prince picked up an infield single. Jr LF Johnny Bladel walked. Sr SS Mike Stancik walked. Jr 1B Patrick Thompson grounded out, but Prince scored on the play. Sr 2B Collin Pearson flew out to end the inning.
David Roffman singled to right. Kendall Wilkins singled. Brett Bleiweis couldn't lay down a bunt and eventually struck out. Beiro and Russo both went down swinging as the Highlanders stranded two. Sr CF Matt Irwin lined out to center. Jr 3B Pat Piccolo walked. Fr DH Spencer Rositano hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the frame.
To start the third, Fitzgerald grounded out to Pearson. Pippin was called out on strikes. Payne singled to right. Buckley hit a shot to Stancik. He made a great play, throwing from his backside over to Pearson to get the force on a bang-bang play and end the inning. Wheaton grounded out. Prince grounded out. Bladel ripped a double down the line. Stancik walked. Thompson grounded out to end the frame.
In the fourth, Roffman hit a fly to shallow center. Irwin broke on the ball, but slipped and fell. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Prince slashed in from his right field spot to make a great catch. Wilkins was called out on strikes. Bleiweis flew out to Prince to end the frame. Pearson flew out. Irwin walked. With Piccolo at the plate, Irwin attempted to steal. He was safe on the play, but the home plate umpire called Piccolo out on interference and moved Irwin back to first. Irwin then moved to second on a wild pitch. Rositano grounded out to end the inning.
To start the fifth, Beiro flew out to Prince. Russo hit a shot back at Basso. The ball deflected off of him, carroming to Stancik who stayed with it and made the play. Basso got Fitzgerald on strikes. The Bulldogs picked up a critical insurance run in the fifth. Wheaton led off with a single. Prince laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line for an infield single. Bladel struck out. Wheaton and Prince executed a double steal. Stancik picked up his third walk of the game. Thompson coaxed a full count walk, plating Wheaton for his second RBI on the night. Pearson hit into a fielder's choice, with Prince forced at the plate. Irwin flew out to end the fifth.
In the sixth, Pippin led off with a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch. Payne grounded to Pearson, with Pippin moving to third. Basso knuckled down, and got Buckley on strikes. Roffman then popped out to Pearson to end the threat. Jr PH Alec Whys struck out. Fr PH J.J. White singled. Rositano re-entered for White. He was caught stealing. Wheaton grounded out to end the sixth.
Coach Plank brought in his closer, Sr sidewinder Mike Palmer. He got Wilkins on a grounder to Pearson. But then things got interesting. Bleiweis doubled down the left field line. Beiro grounded to Pearson for the second out, with Bleiweis moving to third. Russo then walked, putting runners on the corners. On a 3-1 count, Fitzgerald hit a comebacker to Palmer, who flipped to Thompson at first ending the game.
The Bulldogs move to 18-3 on the year and advance to the Liberty district championship game for the third straight year. Basso moves to 7-1 on the season and drops his already astounding ERA down to 0.82. The Bulldogs outstanding pitching staff (along with some great defense) picks up their school record sixth shutout of the year. Stone Bridge will face the Madison Warhawks in the championship game for the third straight season, with Madison coming out on top in the previous two finals. The teams have split their season series. Stone Bridge beat the Warhawks 2-1 in a thriller in Ashburn on April 16. Madison returned the favor in Vienna on May 8, beating the Bulldogs 6-3. The Liberty final will be held at Langley HS on Monday, May 19. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30PM.
