By James J. Lidington

GLEN ALLEN

Isle of Wight Academy’s softball team lost its bid for a second consecutive Division II state championship, falling to Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 2-0 in a state semifinal on Thursday at RF&P Park.

The Lady Chargers had split their season series with the Saints, losing to NSA 10-0 in March in Suffolk, but bouncing back in a 4-1 win in April at Isle of Wight.

IWA had defeated Atlantic Shores 13-0 in a Division II quarterfinal at Isle of Wight on May 14 to become the last remaining Metro Athletic Conference team alive in the state tournament play.

IWA finished its season at 19-2, with both losses coming to their longtime rival Saints, who went on to win the Division II tournament.

• • •

The eighth-seeded Chargers baseball squad triumphed over No. 9 Fredericksburg Christian, 7-4, in the play-in game of its Division II tournament last Tuesday, before succumbing to eventual state champion Miller School of the Albemarle 11-5 in the quarterfinal round later the same day.

In the semifinal round, Miller overcame a 10-1 deficit to Steward School, scoring 14 unanswered runs to defeat Steward 15-10. The Mavericks, coached by former Houston Astros closer and Tazewell, Virginia, native Billy Wagner, went on to defeat Highland 10-5 for their third-straight Division II state title.

IWA finished its season 15-8. All but one of their losses were against teams that qualified for the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association state tournaments.

• • •

IWA got off to a quick start against the Eagles. RBI singles by Josh Savage in the first inning and Kody Kosiorek in the second inning both resulted in runs.

Kosiorek would go on to a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate. He, Zack Stroud and Savage all managed multiple hits for the Chargers.

Isle of Wight’s three runs in the second also included an RBI triple by Ryan Boyce.

IWA also tallied three runs in the fourth on hits by Boyce and Andrew Holt, who each drove in runs.

Holt pitched 5-2/3 innings, allowing 11 hits and four runs, striking out eight. Aidan Williams threw 1-1/3 innings in relief to record the save.

• • •

Isle of Wight let slip a 3-0 first-inning lead against Miller and could not recover, falling to the Mavs 11-5.

Aidan Williams started the game for IWA and lasted 3-1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and nine runs while striking out three. Tyler Watkins and Bryce Daniels pitched the final 2-2/3 innings in relief.

The Chargers only managed five hits. Cole Praither and Daniels each had two hits. The Chargers also played flawless defense, avoiding costly errors. Senior Hunter Hayden led the way with seven chances in the field.

JAMES J. LIDINGTON is a teacher at Isle of Wight Academy. Contact him at at 357-3866.