The Shadow
STAUNTON, Va. (VR) – A four-run fourth inning gave Alleghany separation, and a late insurance push proved just enough in a 7-4 win over Staunton.
The Cougars were held quiet early, managing scattered baserunners through the first three innings, but flipped the game in the fourth with pressure and patience. Walks and timely contact fueled the rally, with Bronson Shinault delivering an RBI single and multiple runs scoring on wild pitches and fielder’s choices to build a 4-0 lead.
Jalen Raether controlled the game on the mound, working out of traffic and striking out key hitters to keep Staunton off the board through the middle innings. He finished with multiple strikeouts and limited damage despite several baserunners.
Alleghany added on in the seventh. Shinault sparked it again with a triple to right, and Tucker Phillips followed with a two-run single to extend the lead to 7-1.
Staunton didn’t go quietly. A two-run double from Nathan Neil and an RBI single from Riley Cook cut the margin to 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh, bringing the tying run into the on-deck circle.
The Cougars shut the door from there, stranding runners and securing the win.
Shinault led the offense with a triple, single, and multiple RBIs, while Phillips added a key two-run hit. Brady May chipped in with multiple singles as Alleghany finished with timely production late.
