After the longest and closest game of the season, the Lions fell short against the Dinwiddie Generals Tuesday night, ending their postseason run. Tristan Snyder started on the mound for the Lions while Tomas Sanchez got the call for the Generals.
Snyder went 1-2-3 in the first three innings. The Lions turned a 4-6-3 double play in the first inning to empty the bases. Snyder recorded back-to-back strikeouts in the top half of the second, his first of the game. Snyder once again recorded two strikeouts in the top of the third.
Sanchez recorded two quick innings of his own, striking out two batters and allowing just one baserunner from a walk.
Louisa started their own two out rally in the bottom of the third. After back-to-back strikeouts to Garrett Duerson and Owen Agee, J.B Lamb ripped a double to centerfield. Nicholas followed with his own single into right field, scoring Lamb and advancing to second base after a throwing error from the second baseman. Austin Nicholas made one of the best plays of the game in the top of the third after he dove for a ground ball down the third baseline to get the second out of the inning.
The Generals recorded their first hit of the night in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, Zack Donovan hit a blooper over the third baseman’s head. Luke Costley then reached first after an error from the second baseman, however the Generals failed to score a run in the inning. Snyder only allowed one baserunner in the top of the fifth on a walk, and recorded his seventh strikeout of the game.
Louisa scored another run in the bottom of the fourth, increasing their lead to 2-0. Lliam Grubbs led off the inning with a walk. Jack McDonald then ripped an RBI triple to left center field, but was stranded. “The pitcher just hung a curveball,” said McDonald. “He was throwing curveballs all game. I wasn’t expecting a full count, but I was open for anything.” The Lions had one baserunner in the bottom of the fifth after Lamb, working a full count, drew a walk, but was caught stealing to end the inning.
Brian Sheeder began the top of the sixth inning with a single to left field. Sanchez followed with an inside the park homerun, bringing in 2 runs to tie the game. Snyder then allowed a walk, but recorded two strikeouts to end the inning, his ninth of the night. Snyder recorded another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh with two strikeouts.
Louisa stranded another runner in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth inning after Matt West drew a walk and advanced to third after a wild pitch. Dinwiddie then brought in senior, Ryan Kelly to get the third out of the inning. Kelly recorded his first 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh, the inning ending on a hard ground ball back to the pitcher.
Snyder recorded the first out of the top of the eighth inning on a ground out to the second baseman, the last batter Snyder would face. The Lions would bring in Grubbs, who would strikeout Sanchez and record a pop out to end the inning. Grubbs gave up a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth, but recorded two strikeouts and a groundout to end the inning, the game still tied at 2-2. Kelly recorded two 1-2-3 innings in the eighth and ninth innings.
Cody Jewett led off for the Generals in the top of the tenth with a double to left field and advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt from Jaron McNeil. Grubbs recorded a swinging strikeout for the second out of the inning. Grubbs then intentionally walked Sanchez and Donovan. Jewett then scored on a wild pitch, giving the Generals a 3-2 lead in the top of the tenth. Kelly recorded three quick outs in the bottom of the tenth inning, securing a win for the Generals, moving them further into postseason play.
Snyder finished the game with 7.1 innings pitched, eleven strikeouts, and two walks. “Just went in, playoff game, normal game,” said Snyder. “At this point, we gotta throw strikes and try to win.” Despite the loss, the Lions played a great season. “It’s the end of an era,” said Snyder. “I love all of these guys, and I’m glad I got the opportunity to play with them.” Let’s go Lions!
