On Friday, May 23:
Basso wins again, Bladel with clutch hits; Stone Bridge advances after defeating TC Williams 5-2
R H E LOB
T.C. Williams 2 3 3 3
Stone Bridge 5 6 2 8
WP-Tyler Basso (8-1)
LP- Tim Mannel
Northern Region First Round played at Stone Bridge HS, Ashburn, VA
As the sun was setting in Ashburn, baseball fans began to stream into the ballpark to watch a first round matchup in the Northern Region tourney, as the Patriot #4 seed TC Williams Titans were taking on the Liberty #1 seed Stone Bridge Bulldogs. With colleges out for summer break, there were a number of former Bulldogs players in the packed stands rooting for their alma mater. Northern Region Coach of the Year Sam Plank had the Northern Region Pitcher of the Year Tyler Basso on the hill tonight, while Titans Head Coach Scott Grossi countered with Tim Mannel.
Pike Brynildsen struck out. Mike Baber grounded out to Sr 2B Collin Pearson. Mannel flew out to Jr LF Johnny Bladel to end the frame. Sr C Brian Wheaton led off with a single. Jr RF Michael Prince attempted to bunt, but popped out. Bladel tripled, plating Wheaton for the first run of the game. Sr SS Mike Stancik walked, his 20th of the season. Stancik stole second. Jr 1B Patrick Thompson struck out, but the ball got by the catcher. He threw to first for the out, but Thompson was safe as the first basemen was pulled off the bag. With the bases loaded, Basso walked bringing in Bladel. Pearson struck out. Fr DH J.J. White was hit by a pitch, plating Stancik. Sr CF Matt Irwin flew out to end the inning.
In the second, Sam Alexander was safe on a throwing error by Jr 3B Pat Piccolo. Rob Mannel then hit into a 1-6-3 double play, with Stancik making a nice turn at second. Adam Forrer singled up the middle. But Lee Tackett grounded to Stancik, who flipped to Pearson for the force to the end the frame. Mannel settled down nicely, getting the Bulldogs in order. Wheaton flew out. Prince popped out. Bladel popped out.
To start the third, Louis Barnett grounded to Pearson. Sam Bair flew out to Irwin. Brynildsen struck out to end the inning. Stancik grounded out. Thompson was called out on strikes. Basso was hit by a Mannel pitch. With Pearson at the plate, Fr courtesy runner Spencer Rositano was thrown out at second, caught stealing.
In the fourth, the Titans were able to get on the board. Baber led off with a walk. Tim Mannel flew out to Bladel. Alexander singled to right, with Baber holding at second. Rob Mannel singled through the hole, loading the bases. Forrer grounded to Stancik, who ranged in the hole. He flipped to Pearson for the force, with Baber scoring on the play. With Tackett at the plate and runners on the corners, Wheaton tried to pick off Alexander at third. But the throw was low, hitting Alexander in the back and skidded into left field. He scored on the throwing error with Forrer moving to second. Basso stemmed the tide, getting Tackett to ground out to Pearson. Stone Bridge was able to get the runs right back in the bottom of the frame. Pearson led off with a walk. White struck out. Irwin was safe on a throwing error, Pearson moving to second. Wheaton flew out to right, with Pearson alertly moving to third on the play. Prince singled, scoring Pearson. Bladeel singled, bringing home Irwin. Stancik struck out to end the frame.
To start the fifth, Barnett grounded to Stancik. Bair lined out to Piccolo. Brynildsen flew out to Prince. Thompson flew out. Basso was safe on a throwing error. Pearson grounded into a fielder's choice, with courtesy runner Rositano forced at second. White grounded to second, with Pearson forced at second.
In the sixth, Baber struck out. Tim Mannel popped out to Stancik. Stancik made a nice play on a slow roller by Alexander, getting him out at first. Irwin grounded out. Wheaton grounded out. Prince singled. Bladel singled. Stancik flew out to end the frame.
In the seventh, Rob Mannel flew out to Bladel. Forrer flew out to Prince. Tackett flew out to Bladel to end the game.
The Bulldogs move to 20-3 on the year and advance to the quarterfinals of the Northern Region tournament. Basso moves to 8-1 on the season, needing only 75 pitches for his fourth complete game of the season. Stone Bridge will play the Oakton Cougars, who defeated Washington-Lee this evening 8-2. The quarterfinal game will be played at South County HS on Monday, May 26. First pitch is set for 4PM.