New Kent advances to baseball regional championship game with shutout of Colonial Heights

New Kent’s Michael Hetzel (20) stretches out to complete the second half of a game-turning double play as he snags the ball before Colonial Height’s Mitchell Ellenburg (1) could reach first base.

Robb Johnson photo

Defeating a team early on in the season may build confidence, but it also provides an opponent the chance to grow and get better over time. But despite the effort by the visiting Colonial Heights Colonials, New Kent’s defensive effort proved it can get things done as well.

New Kent blanked the visiting Colonials 6-0, advancing to the Group 3A Regional Finals and clinching a spot in the Group 3A State Championships.

Commanding the mound for New Kent was Nick Redman, who tossed all seven innings in the shutout win. Meanwhile, the Trojan offense got going in the bottom of the second with a run via base on balls. Two more runs crossed home plate in the bottom of the third as New Kent held a 3-0 advantage.

Colonial Heights biggest threat to the Trojans came in the top of the fifth inning. With runners on base, a ground ball to Daniel Colgin set up a double play, allowing the Trojans to escape unscathed.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the final offensive attack by New Kent provided the much-needed separation they needed. After Nile Gammon’s double and Jack Swynford’s walk, a wild pitch advanced the aforementioned runners to the next bag. From there, Carson Seely’s single drove home Gammon. After the Trojans loaded the bases, Michael Hetzel’s single drove in the final two runs for New Kent, putting the game out of reach.

After the contest, New Kent Trojans’ Head Coach Trevor Ronan talked about the team’s performance in one simple statement.

“It was an overall great team victory today.”

New Kent was scheduled to take on Bay Rivers District rival Lafayette in the 3A Region A Championship game. Lafayette handed the Trojans one of their two losses during the regular season.