Kerns, Tigers Steal One 5-4 From Broad Run
(NOKESVILLE, VA)--The Brentsville Tigers did the unthinkable Friday night, coming back from a 4-run deficit to take home the Region II title over Broad Run 5 - 4. The Tigers waited until their last at-bat to accomplish the comeback in front of a boisterous crowd in Nokesville Friday night.
The game started as most would have predicted with the talent of both Broad Run and Brentsville on the field. The two teams traded scoreless half-innings through the first 3 innings of the ballgame. Trey Brocke of the Spartans had a perfect game going through 3 2/3 innings on the mound. The Tigers had no answer for what Brocke was doing for the Spartans.
It was the Spartans who struck first in the 4th inning of the ballgame. After a Cole Shain walk and Tommy Meier single, it was Ryan Diviney who provided the first bit of offense for either side. Diviney ripped a double that would score two runs. Diviney would also later score in the inning to give the Spartans a 3 - 0 lead at the end of the 4th inning. The inning also saw Brentsville starter Scott Betterly bounced from the mound. In the home half of the 4th Betterly would end the perfect game bid with a single up the middle off Brocke.
The Spartans started the 5th inning where they left off in the 4th. Chris Jessop would single to start the inning. During the Cole Shain at-bat, Jessop would steal second and later score on a Tommy Meier RBI single. Meier ended the contest going 3 for 3 with 2 RBI's, and a run scored.
Trey Brocke continued to roll for the Spartans, retiring 18 of the first 19 batters he would face in the game. Brocke started the 7th inning with an almost insurmountable 4-run lead against a team that had only mustered 2 hits through 6 innings of play. The Tigers made an inauspicious start to the 7th inning, when Chase Garrison led off for the Tigers with a single. He was followed by Scott Betterly, who finished the night with 2 hits. With two on and still no outs junior first baseman Hayden Gilmer stepped into the box and delivered another single for the Tigers, who loaded the bases. Despite the bases loaded situation the Broad Run Spartans still had the ability to close out the game. Trey Brocke was unable to find the strike zone for the next two batters and walked in 2 straight runs for the Tigers who cut the Spartan lead to 4 - 2, and still no outs.
The Spartans coaching staff decided to make a pitching change and brought in sophomore Shane Vlasic to try and close out the contest. Vlasic was faced with a bases loaded and no-outs situation when he took the mound. Brian McBride grounded the ball to Chris Jessop at short, who tossed to Trey Brocke at second for one out, but Brocke was unable to make the turn and the Spartans would have to settle for 1-out and another Tigers runner across the plate. With the score standing at 4 - 3 and men on first and third for the Tigers, Vlasic attempted a pick-off move at 3rd that sailed well over the head of the 3rd baseman and allowed Justin Weaver to score the tying run of the ballgame. On the play McBride was able to move up to 2nd base into scoring position for the winning run of the game with still only one out. Jimmy Kerns then took the next pitch from Vlasic into right field allowing McBride to score from 2nd base, ending the game with the Tigers' players swarming Kerns after he rounded second base.
The improbable had taken place and the Brentsville Tigers were the 2008 Region II baseball champions. The refusal to quit and the unwavering support of their fans helped propel the Tigers into the magical 7th inning that took place.
With the win the Tigers will host Poquoson on Tuesday night at 7pm, while the Broad Run Spartans will travel to face the Powhatan Indians on Tuesday in the state quarterfinals for Group AA.
Chick-Fil-A Player Of The Game
Jimmy Kerns, OF Brentsville Tigers: Despite only having one hit in the game, Kerns was selected as the player Of The Game. Kerns game winning RBI gave the Tigers a well deserved win and their first Region II title in baseball since moving to Group AA.
