Express Beat Rebels, Advance to North Finals
Read the review of our exciting 2017 series victory over the New Market Rebels in 2017 Northern Division Semifinals, all articles courtesy of the Valley League Baseball staff.
GAME 1: NEW MARKET 5, STRASBURG 4
(article by Kathryn Hammler, VBL Staff)
The postseason is officially underway with an exciting comeback win for the New Market Rebels over the two-time defending champion Strasburg Express.
Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Jacob Rhinesmith hit a solo home run to put the Rebels on the board. In the bottom of the seventh, the Rebels advanced men to second and third on a passed ball, but they were unable to produce.
In the bottom of the ninth, Rhinesmith hit a two-out single, putting men on first and second with the tying run up to bat. Jake Washer hit a single into center field to score Barber and Rhinesmith on an overthrow from the outfield. Alec Aleywine produced a triple and Washer scored to tie the game at 4-4. Chase Sudduth followed with a walk-off single, as Aleywine scored from third to win the game 5-4.
The Express scored the first run of the game thanks to an early RBI single by Jeff Butler to bring home Tyler Martin. Tyler Halas’ RBI single made it 3-0, and Phil Madonna continued the rally with an RBI single as the Express led 4-0 in the top of the fifth.
GAME 2: STRASBURG 14, NEW MARKET 6
(article by Kathryn Hammler, VBL Staff)
Following an exciting comeback Rebels win in Game 1 of the playoff series, the Express showed their Back-to-Back Champions offensive power in Game 2. With an impressive first two innings, the Express jumped on top early of an eventual 14-6 win.
Coming off a win in walk-off fashion, the Rebels led the playoff series against the Express 1-0.. In response, Express’ bats exploded in the bottom of the first, scoring five to start the game on a string of singles and walks, with a double by Philip Madonna to score two. The Rebel bats tried to rally in the second but stranded two men on the corners.
The Express continued their rally and added to their score in the bottom of the second with an RBI by Jacob Hirsh and 2 RBIs by Tyler Martin. Kirk Maddox replaced Rebels’ pitcher Kyle Luigs, but the Express scored three more before the Rebels were able to get out of the inning. Strasburg was winning 11-0 after two.
The Rebels’ Jacob Rhinesmith singled into center for his third hit of the night in the top of the seventh. Alec Aleywine and Chase Sudduth walked to load the bases. Hunter Lipscomb was hit by a pitch to force in the Rebels’ first run of the game.
The Express were led by Madonna, who was 2-for-4 with 5 RBIs, and Martin, who was 2-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored.
include Madonna who batted .714 with 5 RBIs and Martin who batted .375 with 3 RBIs. Winning pitcher Dylan Hall went five innings with five strikeouts.
GAME 3: STRASBURG 10, NEW MARKET 1
(article by Jimmy McCumber, VBL Staff)
The Strasburg Express jumped all over New Market in the first inning for a second straight night, advancing to the North finals with a 10-1 Game 3 victory.
A day after scoring five times in the first and six in the second of a 14-6 win, the Express put up six runs in the opening frame of Monday’s decider.
Jake Perry knocked in Tanner Buis to open the scoring, and Jacon Hirsh cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple that plated Sean Scales, Brandon Quaranta and Jake Perry.
Strasburg wasn’t finished, as Hirsh came home on Tyler Martin’s groundout, and Sebastiano Santorelli doubled in LT Struble.
Santorelli was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored for Strasburg, while Scales was also 3-for-5. The Express await the winner of tomorrow night’s Pucellville-Winchester rubber match.
