New Kent Trojans hold onto win, captures Bay Rivers District championship

New Kent's baseball team captured the Bay Rivers Championship Monday afternoon with a 4-3 victory over Poquoson.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent High School’s eleventh win in a row came with a prize: a Bay Rivers District championship trophy.

The Trojans held on for a 4-3 victory over the visiting Poquoson Islanders Monday afternoon, clinching the regular season title for the second consecutive year.

The hosts started their scoring early, as Lane Boyette’s two-run home run provided an early lead. But that lead faded in the top of the second, as an error by the Trojans’ allowed Poquoson to push two runs across the plate and tie the game up.

In the bottom of the fourth, Boyette would score again, this time courtesy of teammate’s Michael Hetzel’s triple. Hetzel would take advantage of a passed ball, touching home plate safely to up New Kent’s advantage to two (4-2).

In the top of the seventh, Poquoson made one last attempt to take the win. A miscommunication toss saw the ball head into the outfield, allowing the Islanders to add a run and cut the lead down to a single run (4-3). However, Trojan relief pitcher Robert Gentry would enter the game, notching two strikeouts and picking up the save to end the contest.

After the game, New Kent Head Coach Trevor Ronan spoke about the team doing the small things for the victory.

“We will continue to play hard,” the coach said. “With two games left, we have to finish and play strong. We must keep doing what we are doing going into postseason play.”

New Kent improves to 16-3 on the season.