The Shadow
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The 2024 Valley Baseball League season wrapped up several weeks ago when the South Divisions Charlottesville TomSox had once again made claim to the top of the VBL mountain following a 9-5 victory in a decisive game three (best 2-of-3 series) over Purcellville.
The championship victory for Charlottesville was the franchises fourth VBL title. All four championships have come since 2017. With no champion crowned in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic, the TomSox have dominated the Valley league.
Since winning their first crown in 2017, the franchise has made six trips to the VBL championship series, losing in 2018 and in 2023.
This year’s title run was not an easy one for the TomSox who rallied in game three after falling behind 4-0. The TomSox was coming off of game two loss where they were completely dominated by the Cannons losing 21-8.
With a game two collapse and a rough start to game three, game one was very similar and if it wasn’t for a walk-off two-run home run from Sam Mummau (University of Florida) in game one during the 10th inning, it would have been the Cannons representing the VBL as the champions this season. Nonetheless, the TomSox are once again at the top of the Valley.
VBL Playoff Recap (Purcellville & Charlottesville were the top seeds)
North Division One-Game Playoff:
3-seeded Winchester 2, 2-seeded Strasburg 3
South Division One-Game Playoff:
3-seeded Culpepper 9, 2-seeded Harrisonburg 4
North Division Semifinals (best of 3):
Game 1 – Purcellville 11, Strasburg 7
Game 2 – Purcellville 10, Strasburg 4
South Division Semifinals (best of 3):
Game 1 – Culpepper 4, Charlottesville 1
Game 2 – Charlottesville 8, Culpepper 1
Game 3 – Charlottesville 19, Culpepper 2
VBL Championship Series (best of 3):
Game 1 – Charlottesville (South) 7, Purcellville (North) 5 10/innings
Game 2 – Purcellville 21, Charlottesville 8
Game 3 – Charlottesville 9, Purcellville 5
