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Sports

South County Hosts Nansemond River in State Baseball Opener

The Stallions begin their quest for the state crown on Tuesday

The Virginia High School League (VSHL) state baseball tournament is set to get underway Tuesday night at South County Secondary School in Lorton. Recently crowned Northern Region champion, South County hosts Suffolk’s Nansemond River High School, in first round VSHL baseball action at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

This year’s Nansemond River Warrior baseball team (20-7) finished as Southeastern District champions, becoming the first-ever Warrior baseball team to do so in the school’s 21-year history, a meritorious feat in the competitive Southeastern District. The Warriors were defeated in their regional final game on Thursday, but still earned a berth to the state tournament as region runner-up.

The South County Stallions (26-0) enter Tuesday’s contest as one of the nation’s hottest baseball teams. The team’s 26 wins this season are the most in the baseball program’s young six-year history. The Stallions are currently ranked 17th in USA Today’s "Super 25" rankings, and also hold the No. 1 spot in the latest Washington Post All Met Sports rankings.

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While Nansemond River’s state tournament berth marks the school’s first, South County will be playing in their second in just four years. The Stallions reached the VHSL state semifinals in 2007, but suffered a tough 7-6 loss to Deep Run High School of Glen Allen.

The Warriors enter Tuesday’s game scorching hot on offense and boast a roster heavy with power hitters: Travis Johnson (1B) and Kyle Moore (OF) were named All-Southeastern District First Team, while Brandon Lowe (SS), Hayden Champigny (DH), and Josh Howard (P,2B) earned second team honors.

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While South County has been dominant all season, their post-season play has been even more remarkable. The Stallions have scored 34 runs in their four regional tournament games, while limiting opponents to a meager eight runs. More impressive is South County’s ability to produce in big games. In the team’s Northern Region semifinal and final game, they outscored two quality opponents (Madison High School of Vienna and Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke) 19-5.

Tuesday’s game promises to be exciting, as both teams begin their quest for the 2011 VHSL baseball crown. With home-field advantage, South County will have the luxury of playing at home in front of a vocal contingent of fans, which have shown tremendous support throughout the season. Nansemond River fans will be driving more than three hours to Lorton.

Nansemond River has thrived as the underdog in many of their games this season, and will look to continue their historic run with an upset of South County. 

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