Waynesboro takes another away from Braves

By Cody Clifton Correspondent
Published: July 25, 2008

After falling behind 8-0 in the early innings, Staunton rallied back against the hometown Generals, but Waynesboro managed to score just enough to hold on to a 10-7 lead and their 29th win of the season.
The Generals hit at will in the second when Evan Webb led off the inning with a single. Greg Meleski walked and Derek Hamblen grounded an infield single to load the bases.
Gabriel Saade reached on an error by second baseman Josh Wenderoth, allowing a run to score. Brandon Sizemore then drove in two on a single to left. Saade scored the final run on a balk by starting pitcher Gerard Sokolis.
“We were opportunistic early,” Waynesboro coach Lawrence Nesselrodt said. “We built a nice lead.”
Waynesboro tacked on four more to double the lead in the fourth inning off Sokolis.
Hamblen led off with a single. After a Saade walk and Sizemore single, the bases were once again loaded, this time for Ryan Adams. A single and double by Adams and Webb respectively, notched two RBI a piece.
Waynesboro starter Andy Altemus lost some control and focus in the sixth inning, up seven with back-to-back walks to Max Most and Blake McDade to start the inning. After Most was forced out at third, Wenderoth’s RBI single scored McDade and chased Altemus from the game.
“What’s concerning is 0-2 hits, leadoff walks, and not putting a team away,” Nesselrodt added.
Staunton had similar problems walking the lead off man Austin Morgan in the sixth inning. After a groundout advanced Morgan to second, Grant Buckner drove him home with a line drive single to center field.
The Generals gave Coach “Ness” another opportunistic inning in the seventh.
With two outs, Saade walked, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher Jason Stifler. After Sizemore was walked intentionally, Morgan walked after taking several close pitches, one of which went to the backstop scoring Saade without the benefit of a hit.
“I’m certainly happy with the win,” Nesselrodt commented. “The guys have bounced back all year off of a loss, but if you want to be a championship team, you have to do things like put teams away and capitalize on opportunities.”
Waynesboro has an off day today, but will try to get its third win in a row against Staunton on Sunday.