Edwards Powers His Way To Derby Title
The 2010 Home Run Derby contest, held at Chantilly High School, showcased some of the area's best home run hitters. Tom Edwards was the eventual victor with six home runs in the 3 rounds...
Photo By: Brooke Chrisman / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
One of the Home Run Derby's at-large bid winners during practice this week, Washington-Lee's Tom Edwards proved he deserved to be there by crushing six bombs to claim this year's Derby Title...
Photo By: Brooke Chrisman / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
Loudoun Valley's Alex Owens put on a good show in the Home Run Derby finals, but could not outdo title winner Tom Edwards...
Photo By: Brooke Chrisman / GamedayMagazine | VIEW GALLERY
CHANTILLY, VA - On Monday, Tom Edwards called Gameday asking if it was too late to accept his All-Star Weekend invite. On Tuesday, he came to practice and earned the at-large bid in the Home Run Derby. And on Thursday, he proved it was no fluke.
Edwards, who hails from Washington-Lee High School, hit a total of 6 home runs to out duel Loudoun Valley's Alex Owens in the finals on Thursday afternoon, becoming the 2nd winner in the history of the Gameday Home Run Derby.
Saying the lefty from Washington-Lee has a good swing may be a bit of an understatement. Edwards showed some legit pop in his bat, and he sprayed the ball to all fields.
In the opening round, Edwards knocked two pitches over to lead the rest of the competition.
Woodson's Connor Reilly was a late arrival due to graduation ceremonies, but was able to send one over the fence as well, and Lake Braddock's Bobby Klein, who hit 10 home runs on the season also put one over to stay alive.
Valley's Alex Owens showcased his power with a one shot to right field, and Justin Weaver from Brentsville also hit a blast as both players joined Edwards, Reilly, and Klein in the semifinals.
Edwards then put on the best showcase of power of the day, hitting three pitches out of Chantilly's mammoth field. Klein failed to hit a homer in round two, but Reilly, Owens, and Weaver all found the outside of the fence once to force a coin toss to see who would advance to the finals to face Edwards.
After the first coin toss led to a no decision, Valley's Alex Owens won the second toss to advance to the Home Run Derby finals.
Edwards was given the choice to hit first or second, and chose to let Owens go first. Owens hit two near the fence, but failed to put a ball out with the wind blowing slightly in during his round.
Needing only one home run to claim the title, Edwards hit 7 outs before he finally found the swing that put his name in the history books as the 2010 Home Run Derby Champion.
"It feels pretty good," said Edwards. "I wasn't considered for the Home Run Derby, so I had to come out at practice on Tuesday, and fight my way in. Luckily, I had my good swing today."
Also at stake on Thursday in the Home Run Derby competition was home field advantage for Friday night's All-Star Game.
Entering the Derby, the players for both teams were informed they were also working together as a team to hit the most home runs, which in turn would make their team the home team on Friday night.
The East squad, led by Edwards' 6 home runs, beat the West Team with a total of 9 bombs to 4. Thus, the West team will be the visitor in Friday's All-Star Game, and the East Team will occupy the 3rd base dugout and be the home team.
2ND ANNUAL ALL-STAR GAME
Presented By: Diamond Sports Training
Baseball fans, make sure you come out to Chantilly High School Friday night to watch the best players from Northern Virginia in the 2nd Annual All-Star Game. First pitch is set for 7pm, and Gameday's Chantilly Auto Body Pregame Show coverage will begin at 6:20pm.
If you can't make it out, you can tune in online as Gameday will be broadcasting the game with live audio, and for On-Demand TV replay later Friday night.
STARTING LINEUPS:
Presented By: Chantilly Auto Body
West All-Star Lineup Card:
(Batting Order and Position)
#10 - Aaron Scoville (Westfield) - 3rd Base
#14 - Brogan Hoover (Sherando) - Centerfield
#10 - Connor Bach (Centreville) - Right Field
#22 - Cam Walter (Centreville) - 1st Base
#12 - Chris Campbell (Centreville) - Shortstop
#8 - Chris Mandell (Centreville) - Catcher
#3 - Alexander Barr (Loudoun Valley) - Left Field
#7 - Shane Vlasic (Broad Run) - 2nd Base
#4 - Justin Weaver (Brentsville) - Designated Hitter
#5 - Ryan Ashooh (Centreville) - Pitcher
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East All-Star Lineup Card:
(Batting Order and Position)
#6 - Ryan Lindemuth (Lake Braddock) - Shortstop
#16 - Joey Garon (Fairfax) - Left Field
#22 - Tom Edwards (Washington-Lee) - Centerfield
#23 - Bobby Klein (Lake Braddock) - 1st Base
#15 - Denis Buckley (McLean) - Catcher
#7 - Nick Rogowski (Woodbridge) - Right Field
#17 - Sean Fitzgerald (McLean) - Pitcher
#11 - Matt Chandler (Oakton) - 3rd Base
#7 - Ryan Lluy (Woodson) - 2nd Base
