HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Patriots are hoping that the third time can be the charm Saturday night at Jack Cook Field. George Washington secured their third trip to the state championship game since 2022 with a 4-0 win over Jefferson in the first Class AAAA semifinal. The No. 1 Patriots (31-5) await the winner of the second semifinal between No. 3 Hurricane and No. 2 Morgantown.
GW fell in the 2022 final to Hurricane and in the 2024 final to Cabell Midland.
“Third title game in five years. Hopefully percentages are on our side and maybe we can get one done,” said GW head coach Mike Davis.
Eli Smith tossed a two-hit shutout, yielding just a pair of infield singles to the Cougars. Smith struck out eight batters and walked two in a 94-pitch performance. Smith’s shutout follows up a stellar start from Ty Nettles in GW’s quarterfinal victory over Huntington.
“That’s a big time pitching performance right there.
“I just can’t say enough about our pitching the first two games. It has just been phenomenal.”
The Patriots posted back-to-back two-run innings in the third and fourth frames. Luke Gordon drove in a run in each inning, while Joel Nelson and Chuck Kelley had the other RBIs.
“We did just enough offensively to give us a shot. When you have a pitching performance like that, you just need one.
“There were a couple of times we left guys in scoring position in big moments.”
Davis commended the defensive effort behind Smith.
“We’ve got this senior core. Chuck Kelley, is out here hobbling around on one leg and giving it everything he’s got. He’s the greatest winner I have ever coached. He was hobbling in there on that overthrow on the pick play and he makes an excellent throw to second base. Our defense has been almost as outstanding as our pitching.”
Andy Roberts and Blake Kutcher had base hits for Jefferson (29-8).
MetroNews broadcast interview from Chris Lawrence with George Washington head coach Mike Davis following GW’s 4-0 win over Jefferson in the Class AAAA semifinals: #wvprepbase @MetroNewsSports pic.twitter.com/J9ePjxjSEt
— Joe Brocato (@joebrowvm) June 12, 2026