VHSL Regional Preview Capsules for Friday's Baseball and Softball Games (2024)

Region 1D

Patrick Henry (11-10) at Eastside (18-4)

7 p.m.

The Skinny: This is a regular-season rematch as Eastside beat Patrick Henry 12-10 (March 19) and 11-5 (April 22) earlier this spring. … The Eastside Spartans have been in the regional playoffs every season since the program debuted in 2012. … Eastside swept the Cumberland District regular-season and tournament titles this season. Seniors Clay Ward, Tanner Perry and Christopher Steele anchor the middle of the lineup. “We play hard and compete,” said veteran coach Chris Clay. “We have lots of guys trying to do their jobs and trusting their teammates to do theirs.” … First-year head coach Eric Rutherford has liked what he’s seen from his squad in what has been a season with plenty of ups and downs. “I'm most proud of how these guys have learned to compete this year,” Rutherford said. “The Hogoheegee is a very competitive district. We also played a tough out-of-district schedule, and while we didn't come out in the win column as often as we would have liked, we got better by being competitive in these games. Bats sometimes go cold and pitchers don't always have their best stuff every outing, but these guys have worked hard and bought into where we want to go as a program and I'm excited about the trajectory of PH baseball.” … Kolby Hicks (.338 batting average, 32 runs), Hank Rutherford (.391, 32 runs), Alex Brown (.380, 10 doubles), Aidan Monahan (.547, 21 RBIs) and Waylon Daniels (.400, 29 RBIs) have been the cornerstones for PH at the plate. Hicks (2-4, 4.05 ERA, 66 strikeouts), Trajan Cannon (5-2, 1.67 ERA), Aidan Monahan (1-2, 4.53 ERA) and Brown (3-1, 3.08 ERA) form the team’s pitching rotation. “PH is young, athletic, and dangerous,” Clay said. “They played a tough schedule and even the games they lost, they were in late.” … Rutherford knows his squad will be facing a battle-tested club. “We'll have our work cut out for us with Eastside,” Rutherford said. “Extremely well-coached and fundamentally sound. They can execute in every facet of the game. Good sticks and a deep bullpen.”

Up Next: The winner plays either Rural Retreat or Twin Valley in a semifinal game on Monday at 4 p.m. at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Twin Valley (0-17) at Rural Retreat (13-8)

1 p.m.

The Skinny: Rural Retreat coach Van Harris believes this is the first time the Indians have ever hosted a first-round regional tournament game in baseball. … It could be a festive day at the Wythe County school as graduation is also set for this evening. … Noah Bandrimer (.525, 25 RBIs) and Brody Childers (.434, 16 RBIs) have led Rural Retreat at the plate, while senior Caleb Roberts has pitched to the tune of a 1.75 ERA. … Rural Retreat lost by one run in the regional semifinals in 2022 and 2023. … So, how did Twin Valley make the playoffs without a win? Well, there are only two teams that play varsity baseball in the Black Diamond District: The Panthers and Grundy. … Despite being beaten each time out, Lukas Dotson, Timmy Hurley, Brannon Mullins and Lucas Hale have been the leaders for Twin Valley. “As a team, we have struggled to put everything together,” said first-year TV coach Cory Belcher. “It is quite challenging not having a Little League at Twin Valley. Most of my players hadn't played since tee-ball or never played, so building the fundamentals has been the first step. With that being said, the players have soaked up baserunning, hitting, and fielding as quickly as possible. With our struggling season, the kids have refused to give up even though we've consistently only had 10 players to field.” … This one will be decided early. “Rural Retreat is a great team,” Belcher said. “They have beat several of the top Southwest Virginia teams and I wish them the best in the playoffs.”

Up Next: Eastside or Patrick Henry awaits the winner in Monday’s 4 p.m. semifinal clash at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Castlewood (9-7) at Chilhowie (18-3)

4 p.m.

The Skinny: The Chilhowie Warriors enter the Region 1D tournament as the favorites to win the event and why not? Chilhowie swept the Hogoheegee District regular-season and tournament titles and has not lost to a Class 1 opponent this season. Region 2D tournament participants Union (twice) and Marion handed the Warriors their only losses. … Ben Kilbourne leads Chilhowie with a .475 batting average, while Connor Smith (three home runs, 34 RBIs) and Noah Hill (23 RBIs) are the top power hitters. Hill delivered a walk-off hit in Chilhowie’s 2-1 victory over Rural Retreat on Monday in the finals of the Hogoheegee District tournament. Dawson Tuell (7-0, two saves, 1.73 ERA) and Isaac Booth (7-0, 2.38 ERA) anchor the pitching staff. “Pitching and defense has been our strength this season,” said Chilhowie coach Jeff Robinson. “I feel like we are battle-tested after playing a rigorous non-district schedule and competing in a very competitive Hogoheegee District this season.” … Castlewood finished as runner-up in the Cumberland District tournament and the Blue Devils are in the regional tourney for the first time in 11 years. … Payton King has been pounding the ball as evidenced by his .519 batting average, one home run and 13 RBIs. Cayden Dishman has pitched well in big games and also plays well in center field. Jared Glovier, Aiden Phillips and Jayden Clark are also guys Castlewood coach Hunter Neece can count on. “They fight,” Neece said. “You can’t count them out because they’re gonna fight till the end. We hit well and we have a good pitching staff.” … There were times when these two schools were Hogoheegee District rivals. … Chilhowie should be a regional tournament participant for years to come. The Warriors’ JV team went 16-1 and the middle school-squad finished 12-1.

Up Next: The winner plays either Rye Cove or Grundy in the regional semifinals on Monday at 7 p.m. at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Rye Cove (14-6) at Grundy (9-8-1)

5 p.m.

The Skinny: Rye Cove is one of Southwest Virginia’s most improved squads and first-year head coach Gary Collier has changed the fortunes of the baseball team much like he did the school’s football program. … Landon Lane (.452, two home runs, 27 RBIs), Will Rollins (.448, four homers, 24 RBIs) and Dawson Kern (.435, 27 runs, 31 RBIs) lead the way for The Cove’s high-powered lineup. Dawson Kern is the ace pitcher. … Grundy coach Tommy Crigger knows what the Eagles are capable of as his team was swept in a doubleheader by Rye Cove on April 1 by scores of 13-1 and 14-0. … Bricen Lambert (.429) and Justin Weaver (.404, 21 RBIs) are the top hitters for Grundy, which won the two-team Black Diamond District. … Crigger and Collier are both Emory & Henry College graduates and were quarterbacks for the Wasps on the gridiron and also played baseball in college.

Up Next: Chilhowie or Castlewood gets the victor on Monday at 7 p.m. at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Region 2D

Richlands (13-8) vs. Gate City (12-11)

2 p.m.

Hunter Wright Stadium (Kingsport)

The Skinny: This game was originally scheduled for Thursday at Gate City but was postponed … Richlands coach Ben Brown has overseen quite the turnaround as Richlands won just five games all of last season. … Third baseman/pitcher Levi White (.373 batting average; 2.11 ERA, 63 strikeouts), catcher C.J. Earls (.354, two home runs), senior pitcher/third baseman Ben Hale (3.42 ERA, 97 strikeouts; .292, two home runs) and freshman shortstop/pitcher Gage Hylton (.349; four saves) have been the tone-setters for the Richlands Blue Tornado. “Our pitching and defense have been excellent as of late,” Brown said. “Two pitchers have thrown 76 percent of the innings for us, because they have been so good and able to get deep into games with some help from good defense. We have only made three errors in our last five games and have made some high-level plays. Even though we are only 2-3 in those games, we have played some quality baseball. We just need to score more runs.” … Gate City has played a rigorous schedule and split a pair of games with TSSAA Class A state tournament participant University High of Johnson City. “Great group of guys,” said GC coach Austen Arnold. “Gritty at the plate with our approach and have a few guys I am comfortable with up on the mound.” … Junior Jackson Jones (3-2, 1.99 ERA) and freshman Allen Lane (6-3, 2.20 ERA) have been those top hurlers. Junior Brayden Cox (.397, 23 RBIs), senior Eli McMurray (.384), sophom*ore Dakoda McMurray (.329, 21 RBIs) and senior Luke Bledsoe (.325, 24 RBIs) have been the big boppers in the batting order for the Blue Devils. “Gate City is not a team we are very familiar with in baseball,” Brown said. “The only time I can remember playing them in baseball was in this first round of the region maybe four or five years ago. We know they have put together a pretty good season in a tough district and at this point there are no bad teams, so we know we are going to have to bring our A-game to compete at this level.”

Up Next: Lebanon, which beat Union 1-0 on Thursday, gets the winner in the regional semifinals on Tuesday at Lebanon’s Doc Adams Field.

Marion (10-9) at John Battle (18-5)

Noon

The Skinny: This game was rescheduled from Thursday. … This is a rematch of the 2023 Region 2D title game, a lopsided contest in which John Battle rolled to a 16-1 win over Marion. Battle coach Jimmy Gobble is not putting much stock in that result from a year ago. “Marion is an excellent team,” Gobble said. “This region is extremely competitive this year and it should be some outstanding Southwest Virginia baseball.” … Porter Gobble (.419, three home runs, 16 RBIs), Elijah Childress (.361, three home runs, 17 RBIs), Landon Odum (.270, 10 RBIs), Caden Sturgill (.274, 20 RBIs) and Noah Sills (.314, 10 RBIs) are among the top hitters for the Trojans. “Strengths would be pitching and defense, along with controlled approaches in the batter’s box,” Jimmy Gobble said. “Understanding situations that are given and seeing things we may be able to take advantage of on the basepaths.” … Battle’s losses came to Abingdon (thrice), Union and Northeast Tennessee power Science Hill. … Kevin Terry is Marion’s third head coach in three years. Brady Roberts (.296, 12 RBIs) and Mason Pugh (.267, six doubles, 10 RBIs) are the top hitters for the Scarlet Hurricanes. King University signee Carter Sayers (3-4, 3.59 ERA) and Roberts (4-1, 2.28 ERA) anchor the pitching staff. The ‘Canes are 1-3 in one-run games this spring. … John Battle principal Jimmy King was once the head baseball coach at Marion.

Up Next: The winner plays either Virginia High or Wise County Central in Tuesday’s regional semifinals at Lebanon’s Doc Adams Field.

Wise County Central (11-11) at Virginia High (12-9)

11 a.m.

Hunter Wright Stadium (Kingsport)

The Skinny: This game was postponed on Thursday and rescheduled for this morning. … Virginia High earned a 5-1 victory over Central on March 30 in a game played in Kodak, Tennessee, at the home of the Tennessee Smokies, Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Ollie Foy allowed just one run in five innings of work on the mound and also went 3-for-3 with two RBIs that day. Luke Whitt (2-for-3, two runs) hit it well in that first meeting and also got the save. … Whitt (.441, six doubles, 27 runs; 4-4, 3.38 ERA), Bhraedon Meredith (.368, five triples, 17 RBIs; 4-2, 2.86 ERA) and Foy (.313; 3-3, 4.25 ERA) have hit it and pitched it well this season. Devin Lathrop (.302, five doubles, 14 stolen bases, 14 RBIs) has played well too. “We have been tested all year with a lot of tight ballgames, and have found ways to win a few of them,” said VHS coach Adam Moore. “The kids have some fight in them when it comes to facing adversity.” … Jaron Wyatt (.382, one home run, 21 RBIs, 26 runs), Grey Kennedy (.415, seven doubles, 22 RBIs) and Cayden Hayes (.333, 11 RBIs) are the top performers at the plate for Central. Wyatt (3-3, 3.10 ERA) and Hayes (5-4, 4.55 ERA) lead the way for the pitching staff. “Our team has fought hard all season long and overcome some close early-season losses,” Central coach Kelly Foster. “The thing I like most about them is that they feel they are never out of a game. They’ll continue to fight and claw no matter the score or situation.” … There is the familiarity factor in this one. “Virginia High is a very talented team,” Foster said. “Adam has done a great job with them. They have good arms on the mound and a deep lineup. They make you work for everything you get.”

Up Next: Either John Battle or Marion gets the winner in the regional semifinals set for May 28 at Doc Adams Field in Lebanon.

Region 3D

Hidden Valley (9-12) at Abingdon (21-2)

12:30 p.m.

The Skinny: The Abingdon Falcons are the top seed and have homefield advantage throughout the Region 3D tournament and that is a good sign since they have not lost at Falcon Park this season. … The only losses for AHS were to Northeast Tennessee powerhouses Science Hill and Greeneville. Greeneville is currently playing in the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament. … Jett Humphreys (4-0, three saves), Beckett Dotson (10-1) and Landon Turman (5-1, two saves, 1.85 ERA) give Abingdon a deep pitching staff and all those dudes have pitched in big games. Humphreys (.428, five home runs, 26 RBIs), Hayden Reed (.424, two homers, 20 RBIs), Elijah Parks (26 RBIs) and Daniel Fellhauer (.383, 26 runs) lead the way at the plate. … Reed, a freshman who has committed to Virginia Tech, holds down the clean-up spot in the batting order. “This is a high-character group of selfless kids,” said AHS coach Mark Francisco. “All 17 are focused on the success of the team.” … Ninth-seeded Hidden Valley of Roanoke went on the road to Dry Fork and posted a 7-5 triumph over Tunstall in an opening-round game on Thursday. It was the third win in four games for the Titans. Bryson Bass had three RBIs and Wyatt Clarke hammered out two hits in that win. Hidden Valley used four different pitchers.

Up Next: Either Lord Botetourt or Carroll County plays the winner on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at a site to be determined.

SOFTBALL

Region 1D

Chilhowie (14-9) at Eastside (22-1)

6 p.m.

The Skinny: Eastside has been on the winning side for more than a month as the Spartans have won 14 straight games since a 7-3 loss to Rye Cove on April 19. Eastside has beaten Cove three times during the current winning streak. … The team has two top-notch pitchers in Emma Sartin and Braelyn Hall, rock-solid defense and power hitters in seniors Taylor Clay and Emmaleigh Banks. Both Clay and Banks have signed with the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. … Eastside coach Suzi Atwood played high school softball at Castlewood, where her coach was Chilhowie boss John Sabo. … Chilhowie finished as runner-up to Honaker in the Hogoheegee District tournament and earned a 17-0 win over Twin Valley on Wednesday in the opening round of the Region 1D tournament. The Warriors have one of the youngest teams in Southwest Virginia. Sophom*ore shortstop Lexi Williams (.400, three home runs, 11 RBIs entering the regional tourney), freshman Kylee Dancy (.365, three home runs, 20 RBIs), freshman Anna Ramirez (.516, two home runs, 27 RBIs), sophom*ore Denesa Martin (.289, 10 doubles) and sophom*ore pitcher Emmaline Dowell (9-7; .301, 10 RBIs) are the leaders of that youth movement. Dancy pitched a no-hitter against Twin Valley.

Up Next: The winnerplays either Honaker or Council on Monday at 5 p.m. at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Council at Honaker (12-9)

6 p.m.

The Skinny: Honaker was seeded fourth in the Hogoheegee District tournament, but the Tigers beat Rural Retreat (9-6), Patrick Henry (8-7) and Chilhowie (6-4) to win the event. “I like the grit in this team,” said Honaker coach Donovan Helton. “We can play from behind, they just keep coming and have all year. And they are young.” … Gracie Shelton (.426, 17 RBIs), Madelyn Dye (.382, 17 RBIs), Kiley Ray (.366, 14 RBI), Aliyah Hilton (.352, 19 runs), Anna Dye (.333) and Rylee. Rasnake (.319) have led the way at the plate. Shelton is 8-6 with a 3.74 ERA as the ace of the pitching staff. McKinlee Maxfield (4-1, 2.95 ERA) has also had success in the circle. … Council has been a feel-good story in Southwest Virginia. Fielding a team on the varsity level for the first time since 2019, the Cobras finished as runner-up in the Black Diamond District under the guidance of head coach Samantha Ferguson. Isabelle Stevens and Olivia Street are the only seniors on the squad. … These former Black Diamond District rivals have each won two state titles: Council in 1982 and 1984, Honaker in 1988 and 2013.

Up Next: Eastside or Chilhowie plays the winner on Monday at 5 p.m. in a semifinal contest at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Rye Cove (20-3) at Patrick Henry (15-4)

6 p.m.

The Skinny: There will be a lot of talent on the field in this contest. For instance, the catcher for each team has signed with King University: Rye Cove’s Gracie Turner and Patrick Henry’s Shaina Addair. … Rye Cove was the 2023 VHSL Class 1 state runner-up and returned its entire roster intact from a season ago. All three of the Eagles’ losses have been to Cumberland District rival Eastside. They own a win over TSSAA Class AA state tournament participant Alcoa. … East Tennessee State University signee Eden Muncy has crafted a 0.69 ERA and has struck out 209 batters in 101 1/3 innings of work. She is also hitting .466 with four home runs and 11 RBIs. Maddy Wood (.455, 17 RBIs), Montana Dillowe (.412, 20 RBIs), Turner (.470, six home runs, 28 RBIs) and Jazz Stanley (.472, 16 RBIs) have also hit the ball well. … Addair, ace pitcher Sophia Wright, Abeey Widener, Marah Woodlee and Braelyn Scammell are among the standouts for classy coach Tami Counts of the Rebels. She has more than 200 career wins and guided PH to a VHSL Group A runner-up finish in 2000. The Rebels won the Hogoheegee District regular-season title, but were stunned by Honaker in the semifinals of the league’s tournament.

Up Next: Twin Springs or Grundy will play the winner at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise in a semifinal game on Monday at 7 p.m.

Twin Springs (9-12) at Grundy (12-9)

5 p.m.

The Skinny: Twin Springs didn’t clinch its regional tournament bid until Wednesday night when Makenzie Gillenwater delivered a walk-off hit for the Titans in a 5-4 win over Castlewood in the third-place game of the Cumberland District tourney. …Meanwhile, Grundy hasn’t played since beating Council, 18-2, in the finals of the Black Diamond District tournament on May 14. … Gillenwater has been strong at the plate and in the circle this season for Twin Springs. … Taylor Bostic (.508) and Tiffany Deel (.485) have formed quite the one-two punch for Grundy in the heart of the lineup and each player has 28 RBIs. Rylie Church (.443), Sophia Belcher (.410) and Emily O’Quinn (.400) are the other top hitters for head coach Jody Bostic’s club. Belcher is the team’s top pitcher.

Up Next: Rye Cove or Patrick Henry plays the winner on Monday at 7 p.m. in the semifinals at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Region 2D

Lebanon (13-10) at Wise County Central (12-8)

Noon

The Skinny:Rescheduled from Thursday, this is an intriguing matchup between youthful teams. Lebanon has just two seniors, while Wise County Central has only one. … Central won last week’s Mountain 7 District tournament with wins over Ridgeview (11-1), Union (8-0) and Abingdon (6-5). “They have continued to play better as the year has went on,” said Central coach Allison Shortt. “They work hard and never give up. They trust in each other.” … Kaelyn Dales is having a phenomenal freshman season for Central as she has pitched to the tune of a 7-2 record, 3.49 ERA and 84 strikeouts, while hitting .464 with four home runs and 24 RBIs. … Chloe Couch and Kaitlynn Morrison (.360, two home runs, 24 RBIs) have been among the top hitters for Lebanon, which finished second in the Southwest District regular season and third in the league’s tournament. … Lebanon beat Central in the 2021 Region 2D title game.

Up Next: The winner plays Lee High, a 7-1 upset winner over Richlands on Wednesday, in the regional semifinals on Tuesday at John Battle High School.

Union (17-5) at Marion (10-8)

5:30 p.m.

The Skinny:This game was originally supposed to be played Thursday. ... Marion is coming off an emotional start to the week and will try to carry over that positive mojo. The third-seeded Scarlet Hurricanes downed Lebanon (5-2) on Monday and Richlands (6-4 in 10 innings) on Tuesday to win the Southwest District tournament for the first time in program history. … Ella Moss (.410), Taylor Preston (.370) and Jaylin Ferland (.320) led the way in the SWD tournament. “The team feeds off of these three and motivates everyone else,” said Marion coach George Robinson. “More important than the stats are the mental toughness these players bring to the team.” To that point, Preston pitched all 10 innings in that tourney title win over Richlands. … Moss is one of the top all-around athletes in Southwest Virginia. The erstwhile shortstop was a 1,000-point scorer in basketball and will play volleyball at NCAA Division II Concord University. … Aliyah Davidson (11-5, 3.10 ERA, 80 strikeouts) is the ace pitcher for Union. Kylee Castle (.347, 26 runs), Kynlee Johnson (.382, 17 RBIs) and Braleigh Mullins (.367, 17 RBIs) lead the way at the plate. “Our team has never backed down all year and has continued to fight with their backs against the wall,” said Union coach Makenzie Cluesman Brewer. “They are a very close-knit team on and off the field. They have been very strong in the field all year long and it has propelled us to a lot of wins throughout the year.”

Up Next: John Battle, which topped Tazewell 7-5 on Wednesday, hosts the winner in a 7 p.m. regional semifinal showdown on Tuesday.