BY RICK DAGENAIS/CORRESPONDENT

GAME 1: Wakefield defeats Hopewell 5-1

Playing in a makeup game to determine first place going into the playoffs was the scenario the Wakefield Nationals faced on Saturday in Hopewell. A total team effort is what it would take with the Nationals trailing 1-0, only managing one hit going into the top of the last inning. The Nationals sent 10 batters to the plate, looking more like the team that had won the championship for the past three consecutive years, instead of a team unable to reach base. Dylan Beale, Brynner Porter, Andrew Burkhouse, Hunter Buhls and Dawson Stevens, who pinch ran for Chase Jackson, each scored. Burkhouse, Buhls, Triston Holland, Kyle Hooper and Brandon Raiford each tallied 1 RBI apiece in the inning, which highlighted an 8-pitch base on balls to Jackson. Coach Paul Rogers commented after the game telling the team that that walk was the turning point in the game. Brynner Porter pitched the complete game, scattering 4 hits, striking out 6, including the side in the bottom of the 5th inning for the win. The Nationals will face Hopewell again, on Monday, in the opening game of the single elimination Appomattox River Tournament in Wakefield. The Americans will square off against Prince George on Tuesday, with the championship game scheduled for Wednesday (weather permitting) at Prince George High School.

GAME 2: Kyle Hooper stands tall as Wakefield defeats Hopewell 4-0

At the Wakefield Baseball complex Monday evening, Kyle Hooper pitched a complete game, throwing 99 pitches and provided all the offense needed in the 1st inning with a 2 run single to right center field, scoring Dylan Beale and Brynner Porter leading the Wakefield Nationals to a 4-0 victory over visiting Hopewell High School, propelling them into the championship game. Triston Holland provided 2 insurance runs in the 6th inning, driving the first pitch to left center field for a single, scoring Hunter Buhls and Kyle Hooper. Hooper struck out 9, walked 2 and scattered 3 hits, all singles, during the 7-inning game.

GAME 3: Played at Prince George High School Tuesday night

Lowe throws 106 pitches en route to Wakefield’s 4th consecutive championship.

Andrew Lowe continued to shine Tuesday evening, pitching 6 hit baseball for 6 2/3 innings, striking out 7 en route to a 4-1 Wakefield American win. Lowe continued to make quality pitches late in the game to a tough Prince George lineup prompting Coach Paul Rogers to remain with his starting pitcher. Defense proved to be big in this win in the 6th inning. With the leadoff batter for Prince George hitting the first pitch down the left field line for a double and the next batter reaching base via error, Prince George had runners on 1st and 3rd with nobody out. Andrew Burkhouse threw the runner out from first on a stolen base attempt as the runner on 3rd broke for the plate. Brian Craft had the presence of mind to make the tag and throw a laser back to Burkhouse who applied the tag for the out at the plate, eliminating the scoring threat. Hunter Buhls, Brett Starcher, Cory Childress and Brian Craft each scored for Wakefield.

This would have pitted Wakefield National against Wakefield American in the championship game. Coach Rogers decided not to have the boys compete against each other.

“We started this season as one baseball team, we will end it tonight as one baseball team,” Rogers said.

All the young men who played for Wakefield will receive a championship jersey depicting their accomplishment of four championships in a row.