The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – In a thrilling and high-scoring showdown on Thursday, the Alleghany JV Cougars pulled off a 16-12 victory over Staunton, with Bronson Shinault leading the way. Shinault went 3-for-5 at the plate, driving in four runs, including an impressive inside-the-park home run in the fourth inning.
The game was a slugfest from the start, as both teams displayed potent offenses. Alleghany racked up 16 hits in the contest, while Staunton managed six. The Cougars opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Shinault singled to drive in a run. They added to their lead in the second, as Joel Bradshaw’s single down the right field line, combined with a Staunton error, pushed the lead to 3-0.
In the fourth inning, Alleghany widened the gap with a three-run rally. Bradshaw added an RBI single, and Shinault’s inside-the-park home run brought in two more runs, giving the Cougars an 8-3 lead. Shinault wasn’t done, as he continued his hot hitting in the sixth inning, driving in another run with a single. The Cougars tacked on five runs in the sixth, thanks to a combination of solid hitting and base-running, extending their lead to 16-8.
Bradshaw, who also played a key role in the offense, was solid on the mound for Alleghany. The pitcher went four innings, allowing three hits and five runs (three earned), while striking out three and walking one. Zane George entered in relief, helping to close out the game. For Staunton, Addison Brown started and allowed nine hits and eight runs (four earned) over four innings, while striking out seven and walking one.
In addition to Shinault, Bradshaw was exceptional at the plate, going 5-for-5 with six RBIs. He was a key contributor in the Cougars’ offensive explosion, helping to secure the win. Carson Cosby, Lennox Webb, and Shinault each tallied multiple hits, and the Cougars capitalized on Staunton’s mistakes to keep the pressure on throughout the game.
Staunton’s Brown led his team with three RBIs and a 1-for-3 performance at the plate. Teammates Ethan Carper and Austin Sullenger also had solid outings, each recording two hits. Despite their offensive effort, Staunton couldn’t keep pace with the Cougars’ explosive offense, as Alleghany’s defense and pitching were enough to hold on to the victory.
