Unlike a few days earlier in a region-tournament semifinal comeback victory, a repeat late-game rally fell short for the McLean Highlanders in the championship contest.
McLean (16-10) lost to the host South Lakes Seahawks, 8-5, in the 6D North Region tourney baseball final, scoring three runs in the final inning and having the bases loaded when a strikeout ended the high-school game.
The Highlanders were playing in the region final for the first time since the 2014 season, and still advance to the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state competition. McLean is scheduled to play on the road tonight (June 4) at 7:30 p.m. against the Lake Braddock Bruins (19-6) in a first-round contest.
Against South Lakes (18-7), McLean fell behind 5-0 after three innings, 7-1 after five and 8-2 after six.
In the top of the seventh inning, Jackson Dailey began the McLean rally with a double, then Gabe Pegues (three hits) singled and Ethan Ball doubled cutting the lead to 8-4. Ryan Soong and Brennan Core (two hits) added RBI singles.
After Aydin Prell walked, a strikeout ended the game.
James Harrington doubled in the loss for McLean, and James Coates singled.
C.J. Kemmerer (double) had three hits, walked and had an RBI for South Lakes and Campbell Short was the starting and winning pitcher.
Also with the bat for South Lakes, Kameron Johnson had three RBI singles, Christopher Downs had a two-run single and Blake DeHoust had a run-scoring sacrifice bunt.
South Lakes was 3-0 in the region tourney.
Alex Gonzalez started and took the loss for McLean in the region final, with Jack Nance and Aidan Carey throwing in relief.
McLean rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the host and defending state champion Madison Warhawks by a 6-4 score in the region semifinals.
McLean also finished second in the Liberty District tournament prior to the region competition.
NOTE: Madison High graduate Spencer Morgan is South Lakes’ head coach. The region title is the team’s first under Spencer.