RADFORD
Just one week after the Windsor baseball team dealt Rappahannock its worst loss of the season in the Virginia High School League 1A East Regional Finals, the two teams met again with a state title on the line. This time, however, the Red Raiders took home the crown with an 8-7 win at Radford University.

Rappahannock took a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning off of Windsor starter Ray Byrum, who walked four batters, tossed two balls to the backstop and allowed a double to left field. It was quite the opposite from the clubs’ last meeting, as the Dukes scored 12 runs in the first two innings on their way to a 14-1 win.

Windsor responded in the bottom of the frame, stringing together three-consecutive hits to put two runs on the board. A walk, balk and an error allowed the Dukes to take the lead, 5-4, as play headed toward the fourth inning.

After one inning of no-hit ball from both pitchers, Rappahannock regained the lead in the fifth inning with a walk, error and two base hits off of Windsor reliever Cory Childress. Again, however, the Dukes fought their way back into the lead with a two-run sixth inning.

Down to their final three outs in the top of the seventh, the Red Raiders grabbed the lead for the final time in the seesaw game.

Three-straight doubles put Rappahannock on top, 8-7, which then struck out the side in the last of the frame to capture its first state championship since 2010.

All was not lost for Windsor, however, despite finishing as runners-up in Group 1A. This season marked the first time in school history that the Dukes advanced past the regional round of the playoffs and into the state tournament. Windsor was also award the Virginia High School League’s Sportsmanship Award following the contest.