The Covington Lumberjacks finished the Valley Baseball League (VBL) regular season fourth in the South Division with a record of 19-23 and earned themselves a trip to the VBL playoffs as the fourth seed in the South. The Lumberjacks were swept in their best of three series against the Charlottesville TomSox.
The Lumberjacks jumped out from the gate of the VBL season by winning their first three games and outscoring their opponents 15-4 in the process.
Following their three-game winning streak to open the season, the team would have four of their next seven games postponed due to rainouts.
Along the way following their 3-0 start and numerous rainouts, the Lumberjacks would lose six games in a row that included three straight losses to the Wayneboro Generals. The team was outscored 46-22 during their six-game losing stretch.
The Lumberjacks would lose three out of their next five games to drop their record to 5-10 overall.
However, the Lumberjacks would put together one of their best stretches of the season by winning six of their next seven games and evening their record to .500 baseball at 11-11. During those seven games, the Lumberjacks won four straight at a point.
As quickly as the Lumberjacks had become the VBL’s hottest team in the league across that many games, the team would proceed to lose four of their next five games to drop their record to 12-15.
Heading into the All-Star break, the Lumberjacks posted a 15-19 record.
Unfortunately, the All-Star Games (ASG) was postponed this year due to a washout. The ASG was held this year in Front Royal at Bing Crosby Stadium home of the Front Royal Cardinals. Representing the Lumberjacks, Gavin Biard, was selected as a starter for the South All-Stars at second base. Meanwhile, Luke Arnold, was going to participate in the home run derby contest.
Also, at the ASG, the VBL Hall of Fame (HOF) Class of 2022 was set to be inducted. Of three being inducted, the Lumberjacks own Jason Kipnis was selected for this years class. Kipnis spent two seasons with the Lumberjacks from 2006-07. Among the other two HOF inductees were Rick Honeycutt from the Charlottesville Hornets (now known as the TomSox), and Teresa Wease, who has been the Harrisonburg Turks operationals manager for 33 years. Wease, is the first ever female inductee of the VBL HOF.
As the All-Star break concluded, the Lumberjacks would go on to win four out their next five games and in the process clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the South division. The team clinched the fourth seed on Thursday, July 21st on the road in Staunton against the Staunton Braves. The Lumberjacks in the process of clinching a playoff spot also eliminated the Braves from reaching the postseason.
In the playoffs, it was a heck of a start for the Lumberjacks and the South’s top overall seed the TomSox. It took three days to get game one of their best of three series in. On Tuesday, July 26th, game one was postponed due a rainout. The following night on Wednesday, July 27th, more of the same.
Finally after reaching an agreement, both organizations agreed to a Thursday (weather pending) doubleheader. However, the games were to be played in Harrisonburg at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park, home to the Turks.
The TomSox entered the playoffs the hottest team in the VBL having had won eight of their last 10 games. The TomSox didn’t let up in the playoffs and took care of business by sweeping the Lumberjacks in their doubleheader. The Lumberjacks lost game one 13-2 and game two 6-2, thus ending their season.
When you look back to where the team was a year ago, grant it an entire different roster and coaching staff, the Lumberjacks were sitting at 10-22 and at the time on the outside looking in for the playoffs, but were battling for that final playoff spot in the South. The team had to end their season a bit early due to COVID-19.
Now, a year later, and a new head coach in Renny Tolentino, he has brought the Lumberjacks back to playoff baseball. While the team fell short of its ultimate goal winning a championship, the team along with head coach Tolentinto, have brought back the excitement in Covington Lumberjacks baseball.
Across the season players came in and came out. Some last the entire VBL campaign, while some played sporadically. Nate Stocum, who had the Lumberjacks lone playoff home run this season, appeared in the most games for the team. Stocum posted a .314 batting average to go along with three home runs, and 23 RBI’s during the regular season. Meanwhile, All-Star, Baird, appeared in the second most games with 34. During those 34 games he appeared in, Baird reached base in 33 of those games. There was only one game where he did not reach base.
Other notable players; Michael Pavelchak, spent the entire season with the team. Pavelchak finished with one of the best batting averages on the team with a .322 average and nine RBI’s. Cooper George spent about 3/4’s of the season with the team where put together a .280 average and 10 RBI’s. Also spending 3/4’s of the season with the team and missing the postseason was, Richard Long. Long’s season highlight came against the Woodstock River Bandits where he threw a seven-inning one-hit complete game shutout. Long finished with a record of 2-1 to go along with a 4.01 ERA.
One team has clinched a spot in the 2022 Valley Baseball League (VBL) Championship game, the Charlottesville TomSox of the South Division.
After sweeping the Covington Lumberjacks in the first round, the TomSox also made short work of the Waynesboro Generals as they two were swept in the best of three series. The Generals had advanced to the second round in the South by beating the Harrisonburg Turks 2-1 in their best of three series.
In the North Division, the Woodstock River Bandits have a 1-0 lead on the Purcellville Cannons in their best of three series. Game two was scheduled for Monday, and if necessary game two was on Tuesday. The River Bandits advanced to the second round in the North by sweeping the Front Royal Cardinals, while the Cannons advanced by defeating the Strasburg Express in three games 2-1.
The winner of the River Bandits/Cannons series plays the TomSox in the best of three for the 2022 VBL Championship.
Valley Baseball League
Regular Season
North Standings
Woodstock River Bandits 27-15
Strasburg Express 22-20
Purcellville Cannons 19-21
New Market Rebels 19-22
Front Royal Cardinals 16-26
Winchester Royals 14-27
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Valley Baseball League
Regular Season
South Standings
Charlottesville TomSox 26-16
Waynesboro Generals 26-16
Harrisonburg Turks 25-17
Covington Lumberjacks 19-23
Staunton Braves 16-26
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Valley Baseball League
Top 5 Batting AVG.
1. Guida, R (PC) .396
2. Fowler, B (NMR) .375
3. Wagner, C (CTS) .361
4. Jeffcoat, T (FRC) .360
5. Banjoff, D (WT) .347
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Valley Baseball League
Top 5 HR
1. Sanchez, T (WRB) 10
2. Delossantos, J (SB) 8
3(T). Vasquez, J (WG) 7
3(T). Horowicz, C (PC) 7
5(T). Wallace, G (NMR) 5
5(T). Clakson, TJ (WG) 5
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Valley Baseball League
Top 5 RBI
1. Wagner, C (CTS) 34
2. King, (HT) 31
3. Delossantos, J (SB) 30
4. Farris, M (HBT) 29
5(T). Sanches, T (WRB)28 5(T) Lee, J (HT 28)
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Valley Baseball League
Top 3 Wins
1. DeLoach, L (SE) 5
2(T). Three players tied with 4
– All statistics as of 7/14/2022
Lumberjacks Batting AVG
Nippolt, B .400 4-for-10
Pineyro, . 351
Ketzner, C .329
Pavelchak, M .329
Baird, G .319
Stocum, N . 314
Wickeri, E .305
Urena, J .300
Lohry, B . 282
George, C . 280
Castillo, C. 270
*Schroeder, J . 278
Piulats, M .274
*Pajer, J .227
Arnold, L .208
Ward, J .208
Lucas, L .200
*Rodriguez, J .197
Hammonds, M .174
Bogan, L. 171
Mccladdie, J .167
*Hudler, W .156
*Rodriguez, V .136
*Breen, J .125
Bogan, L .087
*Hernandez, R 0-for-12
Lowengart, A 0-for-14
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Lumberjacks Pitching ERA
Bonnett, G – 1.61
Standen, A – 1.94
Music, K – 2.64
Harmon, W – 3.00
Lucas, L – 3.03
Long, R – 4.01
Wall, T – 4.42
Millett, M – 4.50
Lowder, C – 5.19
Webb, C – 5.20
Potter, A – 6.91
Goczyca, M – 7.15
Guerrero, M – 7.56
Carver, J – 7.94
Burkholder, K – 8.1
Schneider, R – 9.44
Eischen, J – 13.50
Lumberjacks had several players pitched in one appearance. A few of them being offensive players.
****Players no longer with the team.
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