HAMPTON, VA. -- The Apprentice School baseball team concluded its regular season on Monday with a doubleheader sweep of NCAA Division II and USCAA member Washington Adventist 3-1 and 1-0 at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton.
In game one, the Builders scratched a run in the fourth as Corey Gallaway reached on an error and advanced on a sacrifice by Chris Perry. Sophomore David Sebera then took a 1-1 pitch to left field for a double to score Gallaway for a 1-0 lead.
They pushed two more across in the fifth inning as Chris Aldridge started the inning with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. Ryan Wagner then ripped a single to right field to plate Aldridge and he took second as the throw home got by the first baseman. Sebera followed with a slow roller up the middle and the shortstop tried to force out Jared Belcher at second and failed which allowed Wagner to score for a 3-0 lead.
In the seventh, the Shock scored as Willie Nelson singled and went to second on a Justin Czyrklis single. Both advanced on a walk to Jeremy Adams before Scott Lunblad hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Nelson for the 3-1 final.
Wagner was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI to lead the Builders at the plate. Senior Mike Opauski earned the win throwing an inning with a walk and a strikeout. The combination of Ethan Halberg, Mike Adams, Opauski and Coire Barnitz combined to throw a three-hitter. Barnitz picked up the save with his work in the seventh closing the game with a pair of strikeouts.
In game two, the Builders scored their lone run in the fourth inning as Perry started with a single and was sacrificed to second by Belcher. Zachary Harding singled to center to plate Perry for the 1-0 margin.
Six Builders had a hit each in game two as the combination of Tabb Griffey, Chad Gurganus, Perry and Gallaway combined on the three-hit shutout. Perry earned the win throwing two innings allowing one hit and striking out three. Gallaway snared his third save throwing the seventh inning and striking out a pair.
Apprentice School (25-14) now will travel to Old Orchard Beach, Maine for the 2011 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Nationals – Small College World Series at The Ballpark. Their first game will be Sunday at 3:30 pm against Selma University of Selma, Alabama.
