By Corine Gatti

Published: April 23, 2008

STUARTS DRAFT – The Waynesboro baseball team gave their veteran coach what he wanted for his birthday, wrapped in an 8-1 Southern Valley District win over rival Stuarts Draft.
“The team was relaxed and they guaranteed me a win today because today is my birthday,” Waynesboro coach Jim Critzer said.
Stuarts Draft was trying to keep its Southern Valley District championship hopes alive on Wednesday, but Waynesboro had other plans finishing a regular season sweep of the Cougars. Despite a another district loss the Cougars think they still have a shot.
“It’s not the end of the world for us,” said Draft coach Josh Podgorski.
Draft’s offense was silent, stranding nine runners after five innings.
“I am not going to freak out on these guys because of their hitting,” Podgorski said. “They have been working really hard. Sometimes you don’t hit or you don’t pitch, but we are going to get out of it.”
Both sides were quiet until the third inning.
Waynesboro got on the board early when Eric Hall doubled to center field and Josh Craig brought him home with a RBI single.
Draft pitcher Cameron Cook left the game in the third after throwing seven strikeouts, with Chris Henkel taking over for him.
Waynesboro right fielder Joseph Lucas smacked a base hit to right field after the change and he moved to second on a wild pitch. Lucas was 3-for-3 on the night.
Eric Hall then drew a walk and Jay Thompson slapped a RBI single to right center to bring Lucas in. Josh Craig followed with a two RBI single that scored runners from second and third to make it 4-0 in favor of the Giants. Craig finished the night 3-for-4.
“On the way here, on the bus, we were all pumped up to play Draft. We wanted to shut them down,” Waynesboro pitcher Jeremy Hahn said.
Draft was making contact but could not advance its runners. In the second inning bases were loaded with one out and Hahn saved the Giants from disaster by striking out the last two batters.
Waynesboro added another run on a Thompson RBI double to make it 5-0 in the fourth. Drafts Mickie Holbert sliced a single to left center and catcher Zac Marion hit a double. The Cougars scored their lone run on a fielder’s choice.
The Giants had a three hit seventh inning all resulting in runs. Coach Jim Critzer was not counting Draft out of the race.
“They are one of the top teams in the Southern Valley and Massanutten District,” said Critzer. “Don’t count them out- they could win their next four games. They are a very good team.”