BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — A six-run third inning and a sterling relief effort from Justin Duvall helped the Bridgeport Indians advance to the championship round of the Class AAA Region I, Section 2 tournament. BHS defeated defending Region I champion University, 10-8 in the winners bracket final.
The Indians (28-4) collected nine hits and scored in four of their six innings at the plate. But they also endured a number of misplays in the field.
“We played shoddy tonight. We had four errors and some miscues on just mental mistakes,” said Bridgeport head coach Robert Shields.
“It is a good wakeup call to get a W and not play so well.”
Trailing 2-1 in the third inning, the Indians scored six runs in that frame while sending ten batters to the plate against three UHS pitchers. The Hawks (16-14) answered with four runs in the fourth to pull within a run at 7-6 but they could not regain the lead the rest of the way.
Duvall entered the game in the fifth inning in relief of starting pitcher Jacob Stavrakis. Duvall retired eight batters while allowing just two hits.
“That has been his role all year long. We have used him as a closer the whole year and built up his confidence to have this situation.
“I feel really confident with him and he wants the ball in his hands.”
University will host Buckhannon-Upshur Wednesday in an elimination game. The winner must defeat Bridgeport twice to advance to regional play.
“That’s a scrappy team and Brad [Comport] does a great job with them over there. They’re going to come back,” Shields said.
The Indians have earned a day off and a chance to reset their pitching in advance of Thursdays’ final.
“I am very happy about that. But I am more happy about a day of practice. We get a day to come over here and work on some things and get back to working on things we haven’t had an opportunity to do.”
Zach Rohrig led Bridgeport at the plate, going 2-for-3 for a two-run home run and three runs batted in. Brody Pierce and Mark Biafore added two-run base hits and Michael Romano chipped in with a pair of base hits.
UHS starting pitcher James Bryner allowed six runs in two innings. Mason McDonald, Brody Latocha and Brock McDonough each had multi-hit games. Wenkai Campbell drove in a pair of runs for the Hawks.