COURTLAND
The Southampton Academy boys baseball team began its Virginia Independent School Athletic Association title defense on Monday afternoon with a 4-1 win over Carlilse School in the first round of the Division III playoffs. The Raiders will play North Cross at Shepherd Stadium in Colonial Heights on Thursday as they look to advance to the championship game for the third-consecutive season.

Southampton Academy senior pitcher Andrew Lowe kept the eighth-seeded Chiefs in check for most of the game, striking out 10 in seven innings of work. The lone Carlilse run came in the top of the third inning, as Lowe surrendered an RBI base hit to left field. The Chiefs did not threaten to push another run across, though, as they only reached second base one time thereafter.

The Raiders also struggled to get the bats going early on. However, trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Jackson Smith singled home two runners to give Southampton Academy the only runs it would need to win the game. A single to left by third baseman Ian Mizelle scored Smith to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Raiders added an insurance run in the sixth inning before Lowe closed the door.

First pitch for Thursday’s semifinal matchup is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the Division II game between Atlantic Shores and Steward School.