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Answered prayers: Hunter Gore lifts Loudoun Valley over Stone Bridge Answered prayers: Hunter Gore lifts Loudoun Valley over Stone Bridge
(about 1 hour later)
Head bowed and hands clasped in the dugout, Justin Ager’s prayer Wednesday night was more of a request. He simply wanted his Loudoun Valley teammate and best friend Hunter Gore to make contact. Head bowed and hands clasped in the dugout, Justin Ager’s apparent prayer Wednesday night was more of a request. He simply wanted his Loudoun Valley teammate and best friend Hunter Gore to make contact.
Up to that point in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring opportunities were scarce against Stone Bridge. But here came opportunity, and Ager and the Vikings threw their hopes behind Gore’s bases-loaded at-bat.Up to that point in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring opportunities were scarce against Stone Bridge. But here came opportunity, and Ager and the Vikings threw their hopes behind Gore’s bases-loaded at-bat.
After fouling off two pitches, the senior catcher delivered, hitting a hard grounder that the Bulldogs were unable to corral in time before pinch runner Matt Eberhart crossed home plate for the decisive run in No. 6 Loudoun Valley’s 1-0 win over the defending 5A state champions in Purcellville.After fouling off two pitches, the senior catcher delivered, hitting a hard grounder that the Bulldogs were unable to corral in time before pinch runner Matt Eberhart crossed home plate for the decisive run in No. 6 Loudoun Valley’s 1-0 win over the defending 5A state champions in Purcellville.
“My goal was to just put the ball in play to give us a shot at getting a run,” Gore said. “In those situations, you kind of just react to what comes and thankfully, it worked out with a happy ending for us.”“My goal was to just put the ball in play to give us a shot at getting a run,” Gore said. “In those situations, you kind of just react to what comes and thankfully, it worked out with a happy ending for us.”
Unlike most teams in the area, the Vikings did not spent last week’s spring break playing in a tournament. Coach Wayne Todd, as he has for the past 10 years, felt his the Vikings were better suited recharging their bodies and minds for what the senior-laden team hopes will be another deep playoff run. Unlike most teams in the area, the Vikings did not spend last week’s spring break playing in a tournament. Coach Wayne Todd, as he has for the past 10 years, felt his the Vikings were better suited recharging their bodies and minds for what the senior-laden team hopes will be another deep playoff run.
Awaiting them after the eight-day respite were the Bulldogs (5-2), with the bats and arms to match Loudoun Valley. A pitcher’s duel commenced, as both Ager and Stone Bridge pitchers Lawton Riggs and Gary Fuller posted scoreless innings.Awaiting them after the eight-day respite were the Bulldogs (5-2), with the bats and arms to match Loudoun Valley. A pitcher’s duel commenced, as both Ager and Stone Bridge pitchers Lawton Riggs and Gary Fuller posted scoreless innings.
Ager allowed just one hit and struck out seven in seven innings, using his fastball and curveball to wiggle out of jams. Fuller was just as effective in relief, striking out five in three innings.Ager allowed just one hit and struck out seven in seven innings, using his fastball and curveball to wiggle out of jams. Fuller was just as effective in relief, striking out five in three innings.
“Having that time off definitely helps in getting ready for a great team like Stone Bridge,” said Ager, who has recorded both wins for the Vikings. “I was able to get ahead on some counts and use my curveball to throw them off some.”“Having that time off definitely helps in getting ready for a great team like Stone Bridge,” said Ager, who has recorded both wins for the Vikings. “I was able to get ahead on some counts and use my curveball to throw them off some.”
But on a night when the Vikings (2-0) were a bit too patient, in Todd’s opinion, their poise eventually paid off. After drawing two walks to open the bottom of the seventh, Trey McDyre stepped into the batter’s box anticipating a fastball. The senior guessed right, allowing him to lace a liner to center that loaded the bases.But on a night when the Vikings (2-0) were a bit too patient, in Todd’s opinion, their poise eventually paid off. After drawing two walks to open the bottom of the seventh, Trey McDyre stepped into the batter’s box anticipating a fastball. The senior guessed right, allowing him to lace a liner to center that loaded the bases.
Two at-bats later, once Eberhart crossed the plate off Gore’s grounder, the Class 4A Vikings, who opened the season with a rout of Broad Run, were able to celebrate their second win in as many games against a Class 5A stalwart.Two at-bats later, once Eberhart crossed the plate off Gore’s grounder, the Class 4A Vikings, who opened the season with a rout of Broad Run, were able to celebrate their second win in as many games against a Class 5A stalwart.
“We’re growing and getting there,” Todd said. “We’ve got 12 seniors on this team, so these guys know what it takes. It’s early, but getting these early wins are a good start.” “We’re growing and getting there,” Todd said. “We’ve got 12 seniors on this team, so these guys know what it takes. It’s early, but getting these early wins are a good start.”