By Michael Lindsay
The Gordonsville Tigers are state bound for the second time in three years following back-to-back victories over Whitwell in Wednesday’s Class 1A sectional round at Crump Paris Park.
Gordonsville took game one of the best-of-three series 8-2 before winning game two via mercy rule, 11-0.
Game one saw center fielder Dalton Hancock go 2-3 with a double and 2 RBIs at the plate while Kyle Adams earned the victory on the mound with 8 strikeouts in a complete game.
After three scoreless innings, Whitwell struck first with two runs in the top of the fourth before Gordonsville’s offense erupted for six runs in the bottom of the frame.
Back-to-back singles from Tristan Wood and Edward Rivera tied the game at two runs each before Hancock’s double scored J Peoples to give Gordonsville a 3-2 advantage with one out. Brodie Sykes scored via a wild pitch two batters later followed by a Tucker Smith single to score Hancock and a Sam Albritton sacrifice fly to score J Foster, giving Gordonsville a 6-2 lead.
Gordonsville held Whitwell scoreless in the top of the fifth inning before tacking on two more runs in the bottom of the frame via back-to-back singles by Hancock and Foster to extend Gordonsville’s lead to 8-2.
Game two saw the homestanding Tigers jump out to a 10-0 lead after two innings before running away to win by an 11-0 final score.
Sophomore pitcher Colton Bennett earned the complete-game shutout victory on the mound as he struck out 9 batters 5 innings while allowing no walks and no runs.
The Tigers have won 14 of their last 15 games including a perfect 7-0 record in the postseason. Gordonsville’s 2024 state tournament berth is the fifth in school history with all 5 coming in the last 8 seasons.
The 2024 Class A state tournament will take place at Eagleville and Rockvale High Schools beginning Tuesday, May 21. The full tournament bracket with opponents and times will be shared when available.
