New Kent bests Tabb to win Region 3A baseball championship

New Kent celebrates their regional championship after defeating Tabb.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent entered into the Region 3A championship game facing the Tabb Tigers, the last team to defeat them. As they battled for the third time this year, the hosting Trojans made sure that their field would be hosting the state quarterfinal contest.

Behind a clutch performance from Andrew Staskiel, New Kent defeated Tabb 5-1 to earn the right to host and claim another regional championship.

New Kent opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the second inning, Staskiel connected with the ball, sending a blast over the outfield fence to provide the hosts a 3-0 lead.

Tabb chipped into the lead in the top of the third as they pushed a run across the plate. But that score would be the only one the visitors would muster in the contest as Dylan Bowman’s performance on the mound kept them in check. A Tiger error in the bottom of the frame added a run to the Trojans’ total and gave them a 4-1 lead.

Tabb gained momentum in the top of the fourth inning, as they began to figure out Bowman’s pitching. A pitching change to Lane Boyette by New Kent Head Coach Trevor Ronan proved to be crucial, with Boyette forcing a pop-up out right into the glove of Staskiel. The Tigers attempted to test Staskiel’s arm, tagging up in an attempt to score. The gamble backfired, as a throw to home plate resulted in an out and the end of the inning. New Kent added a security run to close out the contest.

After the game, Ronan spoke about the team’s victory.

“This group is a different group than when we started,” he said after the game. “We are seeing better pitching, so guys know their role.

“With the bases loaded a couple times, Andrew (Staskiel) made a great play and that was a game changer,” Ronan continued. “Everyone made plays today for our baseball team.”