The Glenvar High baseball team saw their season come to an end with an extra inning loss to Patrick County in the Region 2C semifinal Tuesday. The Highlanders dropped an 11-10 game in eight innings at Hooker Field in Martinsville.
Glenvar had beaten Patrick twice during the season, but the Cougars played one of their best games at the most opportune time. The Highlanders rallied from 10-7 down to score three runs in the seventh and send the game into extra innings, but Patrick pulled out the win in the eighth.
“The kids battled but it just wasn’t our day,” said Glenvar coach Jeremy Cromer.
With the win Patrick advanced to tonight’s Region 2C championship game and also earned a spot in the state Class 2 tournament. Glenvar’s season ended at 16-6-1.
Coming into Tuesday’s game the Highlanders had won nine of their last 10 games with only a tie against Salem interrupting the streak. Last Thursday Glenvar opened Region 2C play with an 8-0 win over Chatham at Larry Wood Field at Glenvar High. Senior Cale Vaughan came within one out of tossing a no-hitter against the Cavaliers. With two outs in the top of the seventh a Chatham batter fisted a fastball off the handle that found an open spot, denying Vaughan the no hitter.
Regardless, Cale pitched a terrific game. He struck out 12 and allowed just three baserunners, the one hit, one walk and he also hit a batter.
Glenvar took control early, scoring five runs in the first inning. The big blow was a bases loaded double to the base of the centerfield fence by Jake Franklin, clearing the bases. The Highlanders scored three more in the bottom of the fourth inning to leave no doubt. Cam Feazell was four-for-four at the plate with an RBI and Evan Johnson drove in three.
The Class 2 state tournament is scheduled to start with quarterfinal games next Tuesday. The state semifinals and finals will be played on Billy Sample Field at Kiwanis Park in Salem on June 12 and 13.
