Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Double Champs: Atlee Boys, Girls Win Lacrosse Titles.....

The Atlee girls lacrosse team spotted Deep Run the first goal, then went on a tear, scoring 13 unanswered en route to a 19-5 defeat of the Wildcats to claim the 2018 Region 5B Girls Lacrosse Championship at Randolph-Macon College. The victory keeps the Raiders unbeaten as they prepare to host a Class 5 State Semifinal early next week.

Meanwhile, the Atlee boys dispensed of Douglas Freeman, leading from start to finish with a 17-7 victory to claim the Region 5B boys crown. The Raiders earn a bye to the state semifinals where they will host the winner of Briar Woods and Douglas Freeman, who play a Class 5 state quarterfinal this weekend, early next week.

Congratulations, Raiders!



Sunday, May 27, 2018

College World Series: Yellow Jackets Win Twice Sunday, Must Win Monday

Two down, one to go on the back half of the holiday weekend for Randolph-Macon at the College World Series in Appleton, Wisconsin.

In Sunday's first game, an eight-run inning broke open a 5-5 tie as the Yellow Jackets eliminated the team that defeated them in their opener, Misercordia, 14-6, advancing to a Sunday evening affair with unbeaten Texas-Tyler. Rick Spiers' three-run inside the park home run paced the Yellow Jackets (38-8-1) to a 6-1 win to force a winner-take-all rematch Monday at 1pm.

A win for the Yellow Jackets Monday over Texas-Tyler will place them into the best-of-three championshp series, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Cody Thompson (Atlee, pictured below), pitched the ninth inning in the Texas-Tyler victory.

To see the bracket, and for a link to Monday's game to watch live, CLICK HERE.


Friday, May 25, 2018

Friday Playoff Preview

After a tough night for Patrick Henry, a history making night for Hanover girls lacrosse, and wins for Hanover girls soccer, baseball and softball on Thursday, we turn our attention to Friday and the beginning of the rest of the Region 5B Tournament schedule....

BASEBALL:

Region 5B Quarterfinal: #6 Atlee at #3 Glen Allen, 7pm: The Raiders enjoyed a huge win over the Jaguars during the regular season as part of our "Game of The Week" series on YouTube. Now the Jaguars hope to exact revenge at home. Both teams are two wins away from a state tournament bid, as are these two teams....

Region 5B Quarterfinal: #7 Lee-Davis at #2 Prince George, 5pm: An early start down south as the Confederates take on an experienced Royals team who made it all the way to the state semifinals one year ago. Lee-Davis will need, perhaps, their best performance of the season, especially defensively, in order to advance to semifinal play next Wednesday.

SOFTBALL:

Region 5B Quarterfinal: #6 Matoaca at #3 Atlee, 6pm: The hope for a "four-peat" remains alive as the Raiders, who struggled at times against tough opponents, look to start another march towards June. Atlee defeated the Warriors in the regular season, and, with a victory, could be looking at Round 3 with a familiar foe.....

Region 5B Quarterfinal: #7 Deep Run at #2 Lee-Davis, 6pm: After a state semifinal appearance in 2016 and after being state runner-up last year, seeing their seasons end both times at the hands of Atlee, the Confederates see 2018 as their year, their opportunity. They will be favored tonight over a Wildcat team who lost 10-0 in Mechanicsville earlier this month on Senior Night.

BOYS SOCCER:

Region 5B Quarterfinal: #5 J.R. Tucker at #4 Atlee, 7:30pm: After an 0-3-1 start, the Raiders have won twelve straight matches heading into tonight's battle with a surprisingly good Tiger squad who owns a win over second-seeded Meadowbrook, who eliminated Lee-Davis Thursday night. A win could give Atlee a shot at one of two unbeatens in the area in top-seeded Deep Run.

GIRLS SOCCER:

Region 5B Quarterfinal: #5 Glen Allen at #4 Atlee, 5:30pm: After a 3-1 win over the Jaguars April 30th, the Raiders have won just twice on the field in May. The rematch is tonight, with the Raiders two wins from a return to the state tournament.

BOYS LACROSSE:

Region 4A Semifinal: #4 Hanover at #1 Midlothian, 6pm: Ironically, these former Conference 20 rivals did not meet in the regular season, but they square off tonight with a bid to the Class 4 State Tournament on the line. The Trojans enter at 12-3, while Hanover is 8-6.

Region 5A Semifinal: #4 Mills Godwin vs. #1 Atlee, 5:30pm (Randolph-Macon College, Day Field): The Raiders only lost to St. Christopher's in regular season play and begin the climb to a possible fourth straight state title game appearance against the Eagles, whom they did not meet during the regular season. This is Atlee's first game since May 7th. (NOTE: The Atlee girls lacrosse semifinal is Saturday at 10am, also at Day Field).

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And, lest we forget??

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES:

#1 Randolph-Macon vs. Misercordia, 2:15pm, Appleton, Wisconsin (WATCH LIVE HERE): The journey finally complete, now the Yellow Jackets, in their maiden voyage at the Division III College World Series, must get to work on the field as they take on the team that eliminated Virginia Wesleyan in their regional final. A win puts the Yellow Jackets in the winners bracket Saturday, also at 2:15, a loss means an elimination game first thing Saturday at 11am.

Stay with @hanoversports on Twitter for updates throughout the afternoon and evening and get a complete scoreboard wrap-up on Facebook Friday night by clicking HERE.


Thursday, May 24, 2018

Thursday Playoff Preview

It is an absolutely crazy day of high school playoff action on this Thursday across the area. Let's set the table for you here!

BASEBALL:

Region 4B Quarterfinal: #5 Dinwiddie at #4 Patrick Henry, 6pm: Seth Mayberry and the Generals come in off a late night victory in the first round Tuesday, while the Patriots have had some time to rest, and to heal. Will that offset a little rust, having not played since their rain-shortened win at Atlee thirteen days ago?

Region 4B Quarterfinal: #6 Hanover at #3 Eastern View, 6pm: The Hawks, for a return trip to the Class 4 State Tournament, must become road warriors, beginning with tonight's trip to Culpeper. With their storied history in baseball this decade, the target on the back of Hanover looms very, very large.

SOFTBALL:

Region 4B Quarterfinal: #5 Dinwiddie at #4 Patrick Henry, 6pm: Dinwiddie made the trip to Ashland Monday May 14, and led 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning when a powerful wind storm arrived, forcing people to race to their cars for shelter and safety. Now, Taylor Johnson and company return to Patrick Henry feeling confident they can get the win. The Patriots need an early lead to erase the memory of last Monday, and consequently, put the pressure on the visitors.

Region 4B Quarterfinal: #6 Hanover at #3 Courtland, 4:30pm: A quick turnaround for the Hawks, who did not score in the Wednesday portion of their 2-1 triumph over Chancellor in the first round. Courtland enters with a 12-7 record. Whether it's Ellen Palya or Leslie Currie, or a combination of both, Hanover needs their bats to come alive. Three runs or more may be necessary in this one.

GIRLS LACROSSE:

Region 4A Semifinal: #6 Hanover at #2 Patrick Henry, 6pm: It's Round Three between the Hawks and Patriots, Hanover winning the two regular season meetings. The Hawks held off Patrick Henry in a closely-played, sometimes hotly contested, first meeting, then Hanover blew out the Patriots in Ashland at the rematch. Revenge is a big factor for Patrick Henry's hopes, but even more, a trip to the Class 4 State Tournament is on the line, something Patrick Henry has never accomplished.

BOYS SOCCER:

Region 5B Quarterfinal: #7 Lee-Davis at #2 Meadowbrook, 7:30pm: This will be a very tough test for Lee-Davis, taking on a program in Meadowbrook which has made significant strides over the past few years and are ready to finally get a signature playoff win against a team north of the James River.

Region 4B Quarterfinal: #5 King George at #4 Hanover, 7:30pm: Time to see if Hanover has another gear in order to improve play to the point where they can seriously contend for a Class 4 State Tournament berth. They'll need two wins to earn it, beginning with this battle with the Foxes.

GIRLS SOCCER:

Region 4B Quarterfinal: #7 King George at #2 Hanover, 5:30pm: Quietly, consistently, the Hawks have put together one of their best seasons in school history. None of that will matter, especially to the senior class, without a state tournament bid. They, too, need two wins for that, and the first win is theirs for the taking tonight at home.


Monday, May 21, 2018

History! Randolph-Macon Baseball Sweeps South Region, Heads To College World Series

In the end, there was never a doubt.

Randolph-Macon swept every game, every opponent, claiming the 2018 NCAA Division III South Regional Championship Sunday afternoon in Holly Springs, North Carolina with an 11-2 romp over Christopher Newport, the same team the Yellow Jackets defeated 4-3 the night before to claim a berth in the final round, clinching the team's first-ever trip to the Division III College World Series.

The Yellow Jackets scored six first inning runs and never looked back, moving to 35-7-1 on the season, winning all four regional games, and defeated the Captains for the third time this month and fourth time this season.

Randolph-Macon's 35 victories ties the single-season program record for wins set two years ago.

For more coverage of the championship game, CLICK HERE.

For the postgame press conferences, CLICK HERE.

(Thanks to R-MC Athletics for the photo)


Thursday, May 17, 2018

RVA Locals Only: Interview with Atlee Lacrosse's Christina Dobson on ESPN Richmond

Friday morning on ESPN Richmond, The RVA Sports Network's Rob Witham joins Bob Black for "RVA Locals Only Presented By Farm Bureau Insurance" and we'll shine the spotlight on undefeated Atlee girls lacrosse, talking live with head coach Christina Dobson! We'll discuss the Raiders' season, the contributions of two key freshmen, and the growth of high school lacrosse this decade.

Plus, we'll have the latest high school playoff information, from VISAA State Baseball to all the VHSL spring sports getting underway.

Listen on 99.5 or 102.7 FM, 950 AM, online by CLICKING HERE, or on the ESPN Richmond app for iPhone or Android!

Plus, Rob with sit in with Bob for the entire 9am hour, talking sports, The Preakness and more! Hope you'll tune in and join us!


Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Honors: Three Yellow Jackets Named To All-Region Softball Team

While the 2018 season did not end the way Randolph-Macon softball had hoped, the magnitude of the season's accomplishments cannot be overstated.

The Yellow Jackets finished with a 40-7 record, smashing their all-time single season wins record. On Wednesday, three members of the team were honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association when All-Atlantic Region teams were unveiled.

Junior pitcher Candace Whittemore (Patrick Henry) earned First Team All-Region honors. Whittemore finished 2018 with 142 strikeouts, a 1.30 ERA and a 15-4 record. She was earlier named to the NFCA/Schutt Sports Division III National Player Of The Year watch list.


Sophomore Sami Davidson earned First Team All-Region honors as well, as the catcher batted .417, driving in 29 runs with three home runs and eight doubles. While Davidson was five for six in stolen base attempts, she gunned down opposing runners with regularity, throwing out 15 of 21 players trying to steal on her.

Freshman Madie Rhoads finished a magical debut season for the Yellow Jackets with Second Team All-Atlantic Region accolades. Rhoads, who won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Rooke of the Year award, finished with a 13-3 record, not losing a game during regular season play, including the complete game win at defending national champion Virginia Wesleyan. Rhoads struck out 147 batters and led the team in ERA at 0.80, a mark good enough for tops overall in the ODAC.


Monday, May 14, 2018

Special Game Of The Week With Patriot Talk Live!

Softball: Dinwiddie at #5 Patrick Henry with Region 4B playoff seeding on the line!

Listen live to Kelly Hughes and Rob Witham starting at 6pm Monday at the link below. Tonight's game is not available on our YouTube Channel.

CLICK HERE to listen!


Monday, May 07, 2018

Game Of The Week Listen Live Player: Softball: Midlothian at #9 Hanover

The action starts Monday at 6pm only on The RVA Sports Network, listen to the Hawks battle Midlothian on the YouTube player below!


Thursday, May 03, 2018

CHANGE: ODAC Baseball First Round Now Begins With Doubleheader Friday

Mother Nature strikes again.

The new format of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Baseball Championship begins this weekend as the top four seeds host the bottom four seeds in best-of-three series. Winners advance to next weekend's championship rounds.

#1 Randolph-Macon, in an attempt to at least get two games in before anticipated rain moving in this weekend, will now face #8 Bridgewater in a doubleheader on Friday. Game 1 is slated to begin at 1pm at Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park, with Game 2 beginning 30 minutes following the conclusion of Game 1. If the teams split Friday's twinbill, Sunday's deciding Game 3 would begin at 1pm.

Tickets for the Championship First Round are $5 for adults, while Randolph-Macon students and children under 12 will be admitted free. Additional information can be obtained by clicking here.


Wednesday, May 02, 2018

Game Of The Week Listen Live Player: #6 Hanover at #2 Benedictine

First pitch is at a special time of 5pm, so join us live as the Hawks battle the Cadets only on The RVA Sports Network on the YouTube player below!


Tuesday, May 01, 2018

History And Honors: R-MC Baseball to #1; Rhoads Named Rookie Of The Year

BASEBALL: After winning the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) regular season championship Saturday for the first time in 31 years, the Yellow Jackets reached the number one ranking in Division III nationally Tuesday on the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Collegiate Baseball Top 30 Poll. The Yellow Jackets rank third this week on the D3Baseball.com survey.

Randolph-Macon begins play in the newly-formatted 2018 ODAC Baseball Championship this weekend, hosting eighth-seeded Bridgewater in a best two-of-three series starting Friday afternoon at Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park at 3:30pm. First, the Yellow Jackets finish regular season play with a Top 10 showdown out of conference against #6 Christopher Newport Tuesday at 3:30pm.


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SOFTBALL: Freshman Madie Rhoads was named 2018 ODAC Rookie of The Year Tuesday as six Randolph-Macon players earned All-ODAC Team honors.

Junior pitcher Candace Whittemore (Patrick Henry) and sophomore catcher Sami Davidson were named First Team All-ODAC, while Rhoads and senior first baseman Harley Jones earned Second Team accolades. Junior shortstop Savannah Wood and sophomore center fielder Shelby Hill (Mechanicsville) were named to the All-ODAC Third Team.

Rhoads' ERA of 0.79 ranks in the top five nationally, going 12-0 during the Yellow Jackets' historic 37-3 regular season. Davidson hit .421 in conference play, .409 overall with 32 RBI's, while Whittemore had an ERA of 0.98 with a 15-3 record over 128.2 innings, striking out 136 batters. Whittemore is a member of the 2018 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division National Player of The Year Top 25 list.