Listen Now: Morning News

Blackwell’s gem helps Hurricane blank Hedgesville

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A pair of Division I-bound pitchers lived up to their billing Saturday in a Class AAA semifinal between No. 2 Hurricane and No. 3 Hedgesville.

The Redskins’ Jonathan Blackwell found a way to outduel the Eagles’ Chase DeLauter, lifting Hurricane to a 1-0 win at Appalachian Power Park in a game completed in one hour and 13 minutes

The victory allows the defending AAA champion Redskins (33-5) to face top seed St. Albans in Sunday’s title game.

“They were both phenomenal. Jonathan has thrown no-hitters before and done great things, but that’s as sharp as he’s been,” Hurricane coach Brian Sutphin said. “We needed every bit of it, because (DeLauter’s) not the (reigning) state player of the year for no reason. He gave us all we wanted. Fortunately for us, we found a way.”

Blackwell, a southpaw who will play at Coastal Carolina, allowed only two hits over a stellar complete game showing. He struck out nine and issued just one walk.

DeLauter was equally impressive. The James Madison-bound lefty threw six innings of two-hit ball, allowing one run and striking out eight in the tough-luck loss.

“Both of them filled it up and there wasn’t but a walk or two between them,” Hedgesville coach Eric Grove said. “This is what baseball is all about and it was a good show for everybody. I know it was an hour and 13 minute show, and that’s pretty quick, but that’s what happens when there’s good pitching.”

Hedgesville (24-9) had its best scoring opportunity in the top of the second inning. Brady Weaver led off with a triple to left-center, but Blackwell managed to escape unscathed. Tyler Bubb laid down a bunt in the next at bat, but Blackwell fielded and alertly threw home for the out on the fielder’s choice.

Weaver’s triple proved to be the Eagles’ last hit of the contest, but DeLauter was cruising along and retired the first 12 batters he faced.

In the bottom of the fifth, however, Joel Gardner led off with a single to left and Enzo Lewis followed by drawing the only walk DeLauter issued.

When DeLauter got J.T. Cooper to fly out to right and Cole Bumgarner to pop out first, it appeared the game would head to the sixth inning scoreless.

MetroNews Game Broadcast

But Redskins’ No. 8 hitter Brenden Lewis had other ideas. Lewis came up with a clutch two-out single to left that bounced just in front of Caleb Brown and allowed Gardner to score the game’s only run.

“You knew it was going to be a fight. He barreled one up and hit it hard,” Sutphin said. “It would’ve been nice to try to get the second run across, but he hit it so hard it was a one-hopper to the left fielder. But it was a total team effort and a good game throughout.”

Hurricane tried to add to the advantage moments later with a double steal, but Lewis was thrown out at the plate.

Blackwell issued his only free pass in the sixth to DeLauter, but it came with two outs and caused no harm.

After DeLauter retired the Redskins in order in the sixth, Blackwell finished off the job by recording three outs without allowing a baserunner in the seventh.

Hurricane’s Brian Sutphin interview

“My fastball was working early and then it started to tail on me a little bit towards the middle,” Blackwell said. “Towards the end I got it back, but the curve ball was dropping in there and working whenever I needed it.”

Hurricane will now square off with St. Albans in a matchup of the last two AAA champions. The Redskins lost both regular season matchups to the Red Dragons by a combined total of 4-1.

“At the start of the season, we knew it was probably going to be one of us at the top,” Blackwell said. “Here we are tomorrow with a chance to go at it and the best team will win.”





More High School Sports

High School Sports
Herbert Hoover improves to 10-0 with 2-1 win over Hurricane
The Huskies collected a pair of victories Thursday in the Guard the Capital Invitational in Charleston.
March 29, 2024 - 12:51 am
High School Sports
Independence bests Wahama, 10-2 in the Guard the Capital Tournament
March 28, 2024 - 9:03 pm
High School Sports
Photo gallery: University defeats Bridgeport, 12-3
March 28, 2024 - 6:24 pm
High School Sports
Class AAA Boys Basketball All-State List
State champion Shady Spring lands two on first team, including captain Ammar Maxwell.
March 28, 2024 - 8:42 am