By the time they reached the state tournament, the McLean Highlanders were well prepared to face any tough competition.
The baseball team had played multiple quality opponents in the 26 games, plus two scrimmages, prior to the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state event.
The Highlanders also were set for any pressure close games might provide, having been involved in 15 prior contests decided by one or two runs. They finished 9-6 in those clashes, often coming from behind.
Playing those tough teams began when McLean faced Atlee (20-5 record) and St. Albans (22-13) in scrimmages, then perennial private-school powers Gonzaga and Georgetown Prep in its first two regular-season outings. McLean lost to Gonzaga, 4-0, in its opener, but defeated Georgetown Prep, 5-3, in its second contest.
“Georgetown Prep was the best high-school baseball team I have ever seen,” McLean coach John Dowling said. “I think playing tough opponents early and putting people in a pressure-cooker, you learn things from that, instead of playing easy games.”
McLean also faced perennial strong opponents Chantilly, West Springfield, Westfield, Colgan and Woodgrove during the regular season and had close battles against Liberty District rivals Langley and Yorktown and others.
The Highlanders finished with a mediocre 12-8 regular-season record. The tough competition, though, had them ready to compile a 7-2 postseason record, capped with a 15-5 win over South Lakes in the state final. South Lakes, another top opponent, had defeated McLean just days earlier in the championship game of the 6D North Region tournament. Prior to that loss, McLean defeated top teams Oakton and defending state champion and host Madison in the region tourney.
Some of the McLean players discussed how the team was well-prepared for any state-tournament pressure. The Highlanders went 3-0 in the state, winning on the road against a perennially-top Lake Braddock squad in the first round, then rallying to defeat Glen Allen and South Lakes at a neutral site in the semifinals and finals.
“We were used to those kind of close games by the time we got to states,” McLean senior outfielder Yuta Shimo said.
Junior right-handed pitcher Brennan Core was an example of being ready for the pressure. It was a surprise to some he was the starter in the state final, despite having thrown just a handful of innings prior to McLean’s biggest game of the season. The plan was to have Core work two or three innings, then yield to standout reliever Jack Nance.
Core did just that. He threw two innings, giving up no earned runs with a strikeout and no walks. Core was up to the task because he had pitched 22/3 shutout frames to get the win in relief in that contest against Georgetown Prep weeks earlier. He fanned two, did not walk a batter and allowed one hit.
“He did exactly what we needed him to do in the state final,” Dowling said of Core.
Nance and starter Alex Gonzalez did the rest in relief in the state final.