New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

New Kent eases past Warhill 5-3 to close out regular season campaign

By Alan Chamberlain | May 20, 2017 12:35 am

Trojan shortstop Hunter Pitts looks to fire to first after forcing out Warhill's Sam Rochard at second base in the fifth inning.

Alan Chamberlain photo

A three-run first inning surge vaulted New Kent’s host Trojans in front of Warhill’s Lion to stay. The hosts then withstood the visitors’ mild final frame rally to post a 5-3 baseball victory.

Friday’s outcome provided a confidence-building win as the Trojans head into next week’s Conference 25 tournament. The Trojans host a Monday 5 p.m. opening round game against an opponent yet to be determined.

The Trojans utilized four pitchers with reliever Bryan Brooks recording the win. The Lions managed a dozen hits, but the hosts’ defense bailed out the pitching staff.

“We split [pitching duties] up to conserve pitching for the playoffs,” said Trojan coach Michael Kuper.

“We did what we needed to do,” he added. “We got three runs in the first inning and then got some insurance runs for the win.”

Jacob Rivera opened the Trojan first with a single. An error on a ball stroked by Jared Mitchell placed runners at second and third. Mason Tate’s sacrifice scored the first run before singles from Mitchell Metheny and Brooks drove in two more.

Warhill scored once in the second, but the hosts extended their lead to 4-1 in the third on Tate’s double to center and Brooks’ RBI single between shortstop and third. Shawn Cousins’ double to the gap in left-center enabled Metheny (fielder’s choice) to score from first for a 5-1 lead in the fifth.

Warhill scored twice in the seventh to forge the final margin.