Auburn won the Mt. Empire District Baseball Tournament in dramatic fashion with a walk-off win over Grayson County 5-4 at Calfee Park. Auburn scored a single run in each of the first three innings on an RBI single by Matthew Altizer in the first, Graham Alley scored on a wild pitch in the second and Mitchell Hale had an RBI single in the third.
Grayson got on the board in the fourth after a leadoff triple and an error made it 3-1. The Eagles left two runners in scoring position in the fourth and the Blue Devils tied it up in the fifth when with the bases loaded a run scored on a fielder’s choice and then a sacrifice fly to tie the score at three.
Grayson County took the lead in the top of the sixth on a bases loaded single by Maverick Goad. Neither team scored in their next at bat to move to the bottom of the seventh with Grayson leading 4-3. The first two Eagle batters were retired before Brody Hensel drew a two out walk.
Zac McGlothlin followed with a single up the middle to put runners on first and second. With Altizer at the plate, Hensel and courtesy runner Andy Martin stole two bases to put the tying and winning runs in scoring position. With a 2-2 count, Altizer lined a single to left field scoring Hensel and Martin who just beat the throw home to give the Eagles a 5-4 win, their 20th of the season.
Altizer finished with three hits and three ‘s, and McGlothlin collected two hits. McGlothlin picked up the win on the mound, going three innings in relief allowing one unearned run, three hits, one walk and picking up four strikeouts. Auburn was slated to host Parry McCluer in today’s opening of the Region C state playoffs.
Photo Caption: Auburn High School is this year’s Mt. Empire District tournament and regular season champs.
Auburn Boys Win MED Soccer
Auburn High School’s boys soccer team took the Mt. Empire District title after four scoreless overtime periods. Auburn beat Galax 1-0. No one missed until the eighth round where Auburn Junior Goalkeeper Bryce Brunk stopped Galax Senior Alexis Arrandas’ attempt.
Photo Caption: Auburn High School is this year’s Mt. Empire District champ in boys soccer.
Christiansburg Rallies for Win
Aubrey Davis showed a strong eye at the plate on Thursday, walking three times while leading Christiansburg to a 17-11 victory over Hidden Valley in softball. Christiansburg collected 12 hits in the high-scoring affair.
Christiansburg flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the fourth, scoring nine runs on five hits to take the lead, 9-6. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Sophia Russell that drove in two.
After falling behind again, the Blue Demons rallied in the bottom of the sixth, scoring eight runs to take the 17-9 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Ali Taylor that drove in two.
Russell pitched four innings in relief for Christiansburg, surrendering three hits and five runs while striking out four and walking six. The starter Davis allowed eight hits and six runs (five earned) over three innings, striking out none and walking none. The team would tally 12 hits in the game with Catcher Reagan Smith driving in four runs on a 2-for-5 night. Tyleigh Dillard collected two hits and stole three bases.
Radford Rallies for Win
Radford Varsity Bobcats were victorious against Floyd County 9-7 on Friday. Floyd was the first to get on the board in the first when Max Harris singled, scoring three runs.
Radford then flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the fourth, scoring five runs on two hits to take the lead, 6-3. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Tucker Williams that drove in two.
Micah Ray earned the win for Radford, only surrendering one hit and two runs (zero earned) over three innings, striking out two and walking five.
Radford collected nine hits in the game. Hayden Joyce and Tucker Williams each collected two hits and Hayden Joyce, Tanner Rodgers, and Tucker Williams each drove in two runs.
Blacksburg Girls Down Christiansburg
The Blacksburg High School girls soccer team defeated Christiansburg Tuesday night 6-0. Addison McSorey led the way with three goals, Bella Garza notched two goals and Danielle Douglas scored one as well. Erin Bishop collected three assists on the night.
Blacksburg improves to 15-2 on the season and Christiansburg drops to 8-8.
Blacksburg Boys Rally for Win
Patrick Henry scored in the first half on a goal by Jackson Farrar assisted by Sam Dowdy for a 1-0 lead. The Patriots took a 2-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining. However, Blacksburg scored three goals in the final 19 minutes for the victory.
Craig Huxtable had a goal and an assist and Jonny Joyce scored the final two goals for the Bruins. The victory gives Blacksburg the River Ridge District Championship. Blacksburg is now 15-1 overall on the season.
