We’ve reached the point in the season when the games really “matter,” as far as the playoffs go. The South looks to be a battle to the end, and the North is beginning to squeeze a little bit. So three games were played last night- let’s take a look…

Results

• Charlottesville 7, Front Royal 3 (Cards have lost 5 in a row, and are 1 game behind the Cannons; Tom Sox now own 2nd in the South, 1.5 games behind Covington)
• Harrisonburg 11, Winchester 9 (Turks erase a 7-run deficit to win their 4th in a row, and pull to within a half game of the Braves for the last playoff spot in the South; Royals fall into a tie for 3rd in the North with New Market)
• Strasburg 9, Staunton 6 (Express pull to 3.5 games behind the last playoff spot in the North; Braves now lead the Turks by a half game in South)

Hitter of the Day

Our hitter of the day is Winchester’s Jonathan Butler, who is transferring to North Carolina State this fall. Jonathan went 4-5 with a run and 3 RBIs against the Turks. He’s relatively new to the league, but he’s been crushing the ball; he’s hitting 422/500/467 in 43 at-bats so far.

Others of Note

• Patrick McColl, Charlottesville: 3-5, 2 runs, RBI
• Nick Bellafronto, Charlottesville: 1-3, 2 runs, 2 BB
• Chadwick Feeley, Winchester: 3-4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs, 2 2B, HBP
• Lucas Oxendine, Winchester: 2-4, BB
• Zach Little, Harrisonburg: 3-5, 3 runs, 3 RBIs, 3B, SB
• Paul Castillo, Harrisonburg: 2-4, 2 runs, RBI, BB
• Hogan Brown, Strasburg: 1-4, 2 runs, 2 BB, 2B
• Jason Swan, Strasburg: 2-4, 2 runs, 2 BB, 2B
• Kieton Rivers, Strasburg: 3-4, run, RBI, 2B
• Brycen Thomas, Staunton: 3-4, run, 3B

Pitcher of the Day

Our POD from last night is Charlottesville’s Hunter McMullen, from Florida. He threw 5 solid innings against Front Royal, allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, and 4 walks while striking out 7. He got the win, and finished with a 60 game score. Hunter is also a “latecomer” this summer, but he’s been lights out since he arrived. He’s 2-1, 1.72, with 22 K’s in 15 2/3 innings pitched.

Others of Note

• Kirby McMullen, Charlottesville: 3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K’s (really should have a save, too… and does anyone notice anything about the names on this post?)
• Macklin Ohs, Strasburg: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K’s, win

Tonight’s Games

• Front Royal at Woodstock (Doubleheader, 5 PM, 7 PM)
• New Market at Strasburg
• Charlottesville at Waynesboro
• Staunton at Covington
• Purcellville at Winchester