BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/STAFF WRITER
Playback58@gmail.com

WINDSOR—After defeating the Smithfield Angels 14-4 on Wednesday at Windsor Athletic Field, the Windsor Gators are set to play for the championship against the Windsor Nationals on Saturday. This also gives the Bronco League Gators the opportunity to avenge themselves for the 7-6 loss against the Windsor Nationals on Tuesday.

“This is where we want to be,” Head Coach Dean Blythe told the boys in a pep talk before the start of Wednesday’s game.

After holding Smithfield scoreless in the top of the first, the Gators’ Andrew Holt, Zach Phipps and Ray Byrum (catcher and pitcher, respectively) scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Dustin Gill and Joe Barnes scored two more runs to make the score 5-0.

The Gators again kept the Angels from scoring in the top of the second, but too were held scoreless in the home half.

Not until the bottom of the third did Phipps score the Gators’ sixth run. In the top of the fourth, the Angels finally made their first run, followed quickly by three more.

In the bottom of the fourth, Gators’ Hannah, Holt and Phipps three more, bringing the score 9-4.

The Angels were held scoreless the rest of the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Gators Wyatt Casper, Patton, Caleb Davis, Holt and Phipps each crossed home plate to bring the final score to 14-4.

“You did excellent,” Blythe praised the team afterward, and later told The Tidewater News, “They played great.”

“We weren’t supposed to get this far,” he added with a grin.

The championship game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at Beale Park in Smithfield.

The Gators were 10-3 in the season and ranked third in their division. In tournament play, they beat the Holland Indians 8-4 (11-3); defeated second-place Smithfield Nationals 7-6 (12-3); defeated by the Windsor Nationals 7-6 (12-4; with Wednesday’s victory bringing the record to 13-4.