BULLDOGS ADVANCE
TVHS?tops East Hardy for state tournament berth
MILL CREEK — Logan George whiffed five batters Thursday to help Tygarts Valley down East Hardy, 7-1, and advance to the Class A state tournament next week in Charleston.
“What a great game,” TVHS coach James Markley said. “I couldn’t be more proud of this team. We fought through adversity so many times this whole year and especially during sectionals and regionals. These kids really have a lot of heart. All the hard work they’ve put in all season finally paid off. We had the goal of making it to the state tournament since the first practice, and it feels great to achieve our goal.”
“Now, we get the chance, along with three other teams, to play for a state championship. I’m very proud to be a Bulldog. I hope to see a bunch of our fans in Charleston to support this great bunch of kids,” Markley added.
George earned the win for the Bulldogs on the mound. He went the distance, surrendering one run on six hits, while striking out five and walking one.
TVHS collected 11 hits in the game. Rece Wamsley set the pace at the plate, going 2 for 3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk. Caleb Riggleman, 2 for 4 with a triple and two runs scored, along with Hunter Lanham, 2 for 3 with a double, one run and two RBIs, and Brett Smith, 1 for 3 with a run, a walk and an RBI, also played well. Marcus Reynolds, Logan George, Ethan Lanham and Garrett Swecker collected one hit each, while Austin Lanham scored one run and George drove in two runs.
Corey McDonald shouldered the loss for EHHS. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits. Clay Skovron started for the Cougars, but exited in the first inning after giving up three runs on one hit in 1/3 of an inning.
McDonald led the Cougars at the plate. He went 1 for 2 with a run scored. Brett Tharp, Austin Whetzel, Austin Smith, Ashton Mathias and Skovron finished the day with one hit each, while Smith notched the RBI.
TVHS will now advance to the Class A state tournament next week. The Bulldogs will play on Thursday, but their opponent remains to be announced.