VHSL CLASS 1 BASEBALL: Hunter White's walk-off RBI single in 11th inning gives Patrick Henry quarterfinal win over Auburn Eagles (copy)
Patrick Henry's Isaac Hearl sprints down the third base line to score the winning run against Auburn in Tuesday night’s Class 1 state quarterfinal.
Patrick Henry celebrates with Hunter White after his winning hit against Auburn in the 11th inning.
Patrick Henry's Aidan Monahan pitches for the Rebels during the VHSL State quarterfinals against Auburn.
Patrick Henry's Carter Brown gets the out at first base on Auburn's Brody Hensel.
Players and coaches from Auburn and Patrick Henry pray around the mound after the conclusion of thier 11 inning game on Tuesday night.
Auburn's Brody Hensel gets the out at first base as Patrick Henry's Kolby Hicks dives for the bag.
Patrick Henry's Hank Rutherford takes a swing in the VHSL Class 1 state quarterfinals.
Patrick Henry's Connor Brown (left) and Porter Blackwell celebrate after the top of the 11th inning in a state quarterfinal win over Auburn on Tuesday.
GLADE SPRING, Va. – After Tuesday’s nearly four-hour state quarterfinal contest, Hunter White may have picked up a new nickname.
Just call the Patrick Henry left fielder 7-11.
But while late-night food concoctions and slushy liquids weren’t a part of the aforementioned reference, White’s timely diamond heroics were certainly downright refreshing for the host Rebels.
The Patrick Henry junior evened things in the seventh behind a one-out sacrifice fly before delivering the game-winning RBI single to left with two outs in the 11th frame – vaulting the hosts to a wild 6-5 victory over defending VHSL Class 1 state champion Auburn.
“He’s kind of been in that spot all year,” noted Patrick Henry coach Eric Rutherford, whose squad advances to Friday’s 11:30 a.m. semifinal at Salem’s Kiwanis Field against Riverheads. “He’s had some pretty clutch at-bats. A lot of our big wins have started in those No. 8 and No. 9 holes in the batting order. We’ve had some big innings from that part of the lineup.”
Without question, Tuesday’s triumph was probably the largest so far for the Rebels – who needed a Herculean performance in relief from Aidan Monahan after starter Kolby Hicks was closing in on his maximum pitch count during the fifth inning. Monahan will certainly want to forget his first two batters faced, as a walk to Alex Young and a subsequent wild pitch led to Jayden Lawrence’s two-run single to right – giving Auburn (21-6) its first lead at 5-4.
“I’m so proud of my guys for fighting,” praised Auburn coach Eric Altizer, who got a 2-for-4 performance from Lawrence. “They’re the best team we’ve played all year. We played them here earlier in the year and they spanked us pretty good.”
Monahan, however, settled down after that, limiting the Eagles to just two hits over the final six frames – retiring 12 straight hitters at one point.
“Honestly, I thought Kolby would have us out of here in seven until the coach told me to go warm up,” admitted Monahan, who will play college baseball just down the road at Emory & Henry University next year. “But I’m not going to complain about pitching that much, because it’s what I’ve been wanting to do since third grade.”
Monahan – who didn’t show any effects from rolling his ankle during last week’s Region 1D championship game against Chilhowie – also reached base four times, scoring twice.
“He’s our program,” said White. “He does it everywhere. He does it on the mound. He does it on the field. He hits bombs. That’s what he does. It’s just Aidan.”
Nearly matching Monahan pitch for pitch was Auburn reliever Canyon Calhoun. The right-hander wriggled out of numerous jams – leaving eight different Rebels on base over a six-inning stretch.
“It’s the second game in a row that he had to come in for relief,” said Altizer, whose squad went to extras for the second straight playoff contest. “He had to come in during the first inning of the regional final. He’s a cool, calm, and collected guy.”
Down to its last three outs, Patrick Henry (23-2) started the seventh by loading the bases on consecutive singles from Monahan, Carter Brown (2-for-3), and Trajan Cannon. After Calhoun recorded an out, White lifted a 1-1 offering to shallow center field. Young charged in to make the catch, with Monahan tagging from third. Monahan tap danced around the incoming throw and late tag for a 5-5 deadlock.
“This bunch has just refused to give up,” added Rutherford, who got four hits from Hank Rutherford. “They have this don’t quit attitude. I felt like the energy was dropping at one point late, but they held their own and got us a win.”
Monahan, meanwhile, was a little surprised when asked to quickly tag and bolt home.
“That wasn’t my idea,” grinned Monahan about his aggressive baserunning. “That was all Eric. He told me we had nothing to lose, and it ended up working out in our favor.”
After getting runners in scoring position but failing to produce the winning run in the eighth and 10th, Brown coaxed a four-pitch walk. Later, Porter Blackwell laid down a one-out sacrifice bunt to move pinch-runner Isaac Hearl up 90 feet – setting the stage for White.
White slapped Calhoun’s first offering into left, bringing home a hard-charging Hearl for the game-winner.
“I came around the corner, and I knew I had it,” Hearl said. “There was no doubt in my head.”
Altogether, the two teams left a combined 25 runners on base – but that was in large part due to the perseverance of Calhoun and Monahan. The duo also combined to strike out 16 batters.
“That was just a tremendous game,” added Altizer, whose teams have collected an impressive four Class 1 state championships over the past nine years. “The two relief pitchers were just unbelievable.”
Brown gave Patrick Henry a 3-1 advantage after smacking a two-run homer during the third. Teammate Connor Brown also had two hits for the Rebels, who will get some much-needed rest before eventually practicing and then traversing up Interstate 81 later this week.
White, meanwhile, poignantly summed up the postgame celebration – one which was full of numerous emotions.
“I’m exhausted,” concluded White. “It’s also some relief – and a bit of excitement. But we’re not done. We’ve still got more to play, and I’m excited.”
Auburn 001 130 000 00 – 5 5 2
Patrick Henry 102 100 100 01 – 6 11 5
Altizer, Calhoun (5) and Roark. Hicks, Monahan (5) and Rutherford. W – Monahan. L – Calhoun. HR – Ca. Brown (PH), 3rd, one on.
