Daniel Marrs took a shutout into the 7th, Austin Stadler closed, and James River scratched for just enough runs to down Hanover, 4-0. Marrs also had the key hit, a 2-out RBI knock in the 6th that helped break open a 1-0 pitcher's duel with Hawks ace Jacob Mayers, who was superb with 12 K's and almost nothing hit hard in 6 innings.

With Henrico ace Seth Cutler-Voltz shelved with a sore shoulder, Cosby hit 3 HR's, 2 by Jake Lowery, to take a 7-0 win in a game shortened by rain. Hunter Ackerman shut out the Warriors through 5. 2 unearned runs came across for Henrico in the top of the 6th, but a torrential downpour ended the game and the score reverted to what it was at the end of the 5th.

Cosby will face Mills Godwin, which held on to beat Matoaca, 5-4, by escaping a bases loaded, no outs jam in the 7th. A pop up on a squeeze play was converted into a game ending DP.

In the other quarterfinal, Patrick Henry was leading Thomas Dale, 7-4, in the 5th inning when rain suspended the game. It will be concluded today at 6:00 p.m. at Dale, weather permitting.

Thursday's semis at RF&P Park:

5:00 James River vs. Thos. Dale/Patrick Henry winner

7:30: Godwin v. Cosby

Patrick Henry finished off Thomas Dale with ease, 13-5. Dale looked surprisingly flat, the sole exception being Bill Cullen, who hit an impressive HR for a guy who ain't all that big. Dale's pitchers just didn't seem to have it today. PH took full advantage and will advance to play James River Thursday.

The two Dominion District teams captured the Central Region's two state tournament berths tonight, as James River beat Patrick Henry, 11-1, and Cosby held back a tough comeback bid by Mills Godwin to win, 8-4.

James River will play Cosby Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at RF&P Park for the regional title and the right to host a state quarterfinal game.

In the opener, Austin Stadler scattered 6 singles and allowed only 1 unearned run, while James River steadily built its lead with 14 hits including 2 HR's. Stadler was also announced as Central Region Player of the Year in tonight's program.

In the nightcap, Ronnie Shaban homered leading off the bottom of the first, and Cosby never trailed. Shaban looked unbeatable for 3 innings, but Reed Gragnani and Nick Caporale hit back-to-back, deep HR's in the 4th to make it 4-2. Godwin consistently hit the ball hard after that, but had several "at 'em" balls. Ryan Parker's 3-run shot helped Cosby build an 8-3 lead going to the 7th. Godwin loaded the bases with no outs, then scored on a hit batter, making it look like perhaps Shaban was tiring. But Shaban converted a come-backer into a 1-2-3 DP and then struck out the next batter, and just like that, a potential comeback rally was doused.

Friday's game should be interesting, as it is possible both teams will rest their top pitchers for the state tournament, creating the potential for a high scoring game. We'll see!

Kudos to Virginiapreps.com for some truly outstanding coverage of the two semifinal games. Their story includes a link to video highlights of both games, and the highlights are outstanding!

http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=812775

James River beat Cosby, 6-3, this evening to win the regional championship!

Junior lefty Jake Matthews was dealin'. Tailing fastballs, sinkers, cutters, change-ups, sliders, curves -- everything was "on" and he had Cosby's batters hitting ball after ball into the ground. Only one bouncer up the middle left the infield through the first six. Cosby mounted a furious comeback in the 7th, plating two runs after loading the bases with no outs, but two last grounders and a backwards K closed it out.

Robert Oldham supplied almost all the offense with a line shot 3-run HR and another line shot double to the gap to drive in 2 more. Would've been still more, but another bases-loaded liner by Oldham was snared and converted to a DP.

James River wins its second consecutive regional title and gets to play host to Albemarle in the state quarterfinal round. Cosby will travel to Colonial Forge in Stafford.

The teams could still meet a fourth time this season, if both can win 2 and get to the state title game next Saturday.

Your right about Tom Garrett's coverage on VirginiaPreps.Com. A++ peice of work.

A Cosby-James River state final matchup would not surprise me. Two Central teams played for the championship last year.

will do u have the north region final?

Lake Braddock 9, Chantilly 6

Game turned on bases loaded major league pop up with Chantilly ahead 6-4 in the bottom of fifth. Ball drifted behind 2nd and was lost in lights and all 3 runs scored. Ouch. Next batter homered and instead of inning over on the pop up, it was 9-6. Lake Braddock snuffed Charger rally in top of 7th after Chantilly had loaded the bases with one out. Great game by both teams.