— By Riley Griffith
HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — A decade ago, Hedgesville discovered late season magic in claiming the Class AAA state championship.
Whether or not the Eagles are at it again remains to be seen, but they’re off to their desired start in the postseason thanks to a thrilling 8-7 victory Tuesday over Musselman that allowed the Eagles to claim a Region II, Section 1 championship.
In a game that featured four lead changes, Hedgesville was victorious behind junior Lane Delauter’s walk-off hit to score Chris French.
In a pinch, the Eagles turn to Lane Delauter to win the section with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th. Hedgesville wins 8-7 and will advance to play Jefferson in the region final. #wvprepbasb pic.twitter.com/Zf4XUbTN0W
— Panhandle Sports Live! – Panhandle News Network (@EPSportsNetwork) May 17, 2023
“The kids bought into the team concept when it mattered, and nothing signifies that more than a pinch hitter winning the game” the words of Eagles head coach Eric Grove.
Musselman (24-11) started the game with a solo home run from senior shortstop Bayden Hartman in the second at bat of the contest to put the Applemen up 1-0. This was followed up in the next inning behind two extra-base hits, scoring two Musselman runners and extending the lead to three.
Hedgesville (25-8) scored in the bottom of the second on a solo home run to center by sophomore Brett Pedersen. This ignited the Eagles to score five runs without Musselman recording a single out, leading to Musselman turning to the bullpen early in Austin Moberly to get them out of the inning.
Musselman would not go without a fight as Jason Myers answered Pedersen’s home run with one of his own to trim the lead to one. This prompted coach Grove to turn to Jaxon Ruest to relieve starter Tanner Matthew.
Musselman added a run after Ruest entered the game to tie it at 5, but the Eagles answered with a Ruest single to score Braylon Conner for a 6-5 lead through four.
It turned out to be the late pitching of Ruest that held the Eagles together as the game progressed. He struck out five batters in total and earning the victory, the senior held the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning after Musselman successfully converted on two straight squeeze bunts.
The Applemen were aided by Wyatt McClintock as he connected on a crucial double to end the scoring drought for Musselman and put them up 7-6 heading into the final inning. Ruest struck out his fifth batter in the top of the seventh and held Musselman scoreless with a chance for the Eagles to win in the last half frame.
A deep double by Hedgesville’s Chris French with one out put the winning run in scoring position for the Eagles. With two outs and French stranded, Eric Grove turned to the player who pitched his team to this winner-take-all affair in Lane Delauter.
With his first at-bat in 19 days, Delauter smoked the ball to left center field to score French and secure the title for Hedgesville.
With this victory the Eagles claim their first sectional title since 2019 and will battle Jefferson High School for the right to represent the Easter Panhandle in the state tournament.
“We’ve been at this with them before with similar circumstances.” Grove said. “They are going to be ready to go and we have to put our foot on the gas and steal one on the road.”