Merchant, Harrelson Lead Warriors To Semi's
The Sherando Warriors Looked Primed For A State Playoff Run In Their 7-2 Win Over Broad Run On Monday. Sherando Advanced To The Regional Semifinals With The Win.
Photo By: Shannon Shephard / Gameday Magazine
James Harrelson pitched 6 innings and scattered 5 hits in the 7-2 win over Broad Run Monday. He struck out 2 hitters and was in control the entire day for the Warriors.
Photo By: Shannon Shephard / Gameday Magazine
Broad Run's Chris Lane swings at a fastball on Monday in the 7-2 loss to Sherando. Lane and the Spartans had a solid season and should be a title contender next spring in the Dulles District yet again.
Photo By: Shannon Shephard / Gameday Magazine
STEPHENS CITY, VA - Every team hopes to be playing their best when the regional playoffs arrive, and on Monday, Sherando looked like a team that was hitting on all cylinders. The Warriors scored early and often to beat Broad Run 7-2 and advance to the regional semifinals on Wednesday against Orange High School.
Sherando led the bottom of the 1st inning off with a base hit from freshman sensation Tre Porter, and Jason Tunison then singled in the next at bat to right field. That put runners on 1st and 3rd with nobody out for Blake Adams. Adams proceeded to lift a ball out to right field that gave Porter a chance to tag from 3rd base to make the score 1-0.
Nick Merchant then grounded to shortstop Chris Jessop, and on the play, Tunison came home to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
Sherando added another run in the bottom of the second inning when Zach Carney knocked home Curry Clevenger on a sacrifice fly. Clevenger got aboard with a double to right field to lead the inning off.
Leading 3-0, Sherando appeared as if it had enough to coast to the victory, as James Harrelson was throwing the ball well on the hill for the Warriors. Broad Run put two runners on base early, but catcher Derek Reid threw both of them out attempting to steal second base.
Northwestern District Player of the Year Nick Merchant then provided those in attendance with the big play of the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning, sending a Chase Warren fastball over the left centerfield fence. Merchant's blast plated Jason Tunison, who led off the inning with a walk, to make the score 5-0 Sherando.
Broad Run finally got on the board in the top of the 5th inning when pinch hitter Nick Richardson singled to right field, scoring Connor Jessop from 2nd. The Spartans stranded runners on base, but pulled the lead back to 5-1 in the inning.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Sherando led off with a base hit by Carney, and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Erik Albers. Porter then walked, and Chris Deck knocked home Carney with an RBI single to make the score 6-1. Merchant then continued his assault on Broad Run pitching, scorching a fastball up the middle to score another run, and Sherando increased their lead to 7-1 heading to the top of the 7th inning.
Broad Run did their best to rally, scoring once in the top of the 7th inning, but Carney came in to pitch to close things out for the Warriors, and he did just that. The game's final score ended with Sherando winning 7-2, and they advanced to the regional semifinals on Wednesday.
In all six innings they came to the plate on Monday, Sherando put the lead off hitter on with either a hit or a walk. That stat alone was a major factor in the outcome, as Pepper Martin's club did a great job of moving those runners around, and eventually knocking them in.
Harrelson pitched a tremendous game on Monday, scattering 5 hits and only giving up 1 earned run in 6 innings of work. Sherando will put Nick Merchant on the hill on Wednesday against Orange County for the right to go play for the regional championship, and an automatic berth in the state playoffs.
After the game, Sherando's skipper said he was impressed with how his team played situational baseball against Broad Run, in the 7-2 win.
"We actually scored a couple of runs with situational baseball," Martin said. "It was key to get those base runners on and we were able to bunt and play some situational baseball, and we definitely got some key hits with runners in scoring position."
Martin said he was very pleased with how Harrelson threw the ball and said he told his team to get ready for a big one on Wednesday.
"James had a marvelous performance for us today on the hill," Martin said. "Once we had that 5-0 lead with Nick's home run, we wanted James to play the out game and get ahead of hitters. We've got to pick back up tomorrow and get ready for Orange, who is a good team. We have to take it one game at a time and play our type of baseball."
BEST BUY PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
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Nick Merchant - Sherando Senior Third Baseman
Merchant was 2 for 4 on the afternoon with a 2 run jack, and 3 RBI's. He later singled in a runner on a line drive that was the hardest hit ball of the day aside from his home run. Merchant also played well at 3rd base in the 7-2 win. Merchant said he had an idea that the ball he hit out was gone, but he wasn't for sure.
"I had a feeling it was gone, but I didn't want to look like an idiot running the bases, so I hustled around," Merchant said after the game.
James Harrelson - Sherando Pitcher
Harrelson scattered 5 hits and struck out 2 Spartans in registering the win on Monday for the Warriors. His consistency on the hill was impressive, and he continually challenged hitters with his fastball during the game.
"The last game I pitched was against Brentsville, so I got a lot of rest," Harrelson said. "It's a lot easier pitching with the lead then pitching from behind."
COACH HAYES' ANALYSIS:
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Monday was the first opportunity I've had to watch Pepper Martin's club play this year, and it is easy to see why they have won 20 games this spring. They play sound fundamental baseball in every aspect of the game. Coaching is key in this game, and Martin is the kind of coach I admire in this game. He takes every opportunity, even if it is in the middle of an at-bat to coach his kids on the fundamentals. It paid off in a big way Monday, and I think the Warriors could shock some people and knock off Orange on Wednesday.
They will have their work cut out for them with Orange's Ace ready and waiting, but Sherando has a good lineup. Porter as just a ninth grader is a legit talent that in my opinion, has some special baseball skills. Tunison is a perfect guy to hit in the second spot with Adams and Merchant providing the pop in the lineup. Clevenger was impressive on Monday as well, as was catcher Derek Reid.
This team is capable, they are well coached, and they have the attributes of a team that can play in the state playoffs. We'll see how it plays out on Wednesday.
For Broad Run, this was a rebuilding year with youth all over Pat Cassidy's roster. They weren't supposed to be in this game Monday, but yet they were. Cassidy and his staff deserve a ton of credit for cultivating their young talent, and reaching regionals again. It's been an impressive run for Broad Run the past 3 years, with three straight regional playoff appearances.
With Vlasic, Johnston, and Connor Jessop returning next spring, Broad Run should be tough again in 2010.
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