The Shadow
LEXINGTON, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany JV Cougars were handed a tough 9-8 defeat in extra innings to Rockbridge County on Wednesday. Despite holding the edge in hits (10 to 5), a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning by Rockbridge’s Ramsey sealed the game for the home team, pushing the Cougars to their third loss of the season.
The game started off rocky for Alleghany, with defensive miscues putting them in an early hole. In the bottom of the first, a pair of errors and a walk set the stage for Rockbridge County to score three runs. A hit by pitch added another run to give Rockbridge a 4-0 advantage.
Things didn’t improve in the second inning as another defensive error from the Cougars handed Rockbridge County a fifth run, making it a 5-2 ballgame. However, Alleghany refused to fold and began chipping away at the deficit.
The Cougars came alive offensively in the top of the sixth inning. Joel Bradshaw’s single helped spark the rally, allowing the Cougars to tie the game at 5-5. But Rockbridge County answered right back in the bottom of the inning, as Ramsey grounded out to bring in a run, putting the home team ahead 7-6.
In what felt like a back-and-forth battle, the Cougars finally managed to gain the upper hand in the top of the seventh. Levi Elmore hit a clutch double down the left-field line, and Talyn Elliott followed with a timely single, each driving in a run to put Alleghany up 8-7.
Unfortunately for the Cougars, Rockbridge County had one more comeback in store. They tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, sending the contest into extra innings.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the eighth when Ramsey’s walk-off single brought in the game-winning run, sealing the 9-8 victory for Rockbridge County.
Despite the loss, Alleghany’s offense showed resilience, tallying 10 hits on the day. Talyn Elliott led the way with three hits, while Elmore, Zane George, Colten Jack, and Bradshaw each drove in one run.
On the mound, Ben Skidmore started for the Cougars, tossing four innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out three. He was followed by several relievers who battled through tough situations. For Rockbridge, Haynes started the game, surrendering three earned runs while striking out one over three innings.
Rockbridge County showed patience at the plate, drawing a total of seven walks in the game, with Hickman and Riccioni each drawing two free passes.
Coach Seth Bradley reflected on the game, saying, “We got off to a rough start with a few defensive mistakes that put us in a hole early. But I’m proud of how our guys fought back and took the lead late. Unfortunately, Rockbridge had the last opportunity, and they capitalized on it.”
The Cougars will be on the road at Wilson Memorial on Monday, before they play their first home game of the season on Friday against Carroll County.
