FINAL SCORE: Apprentice School 13, Thomas Nelson CC 2
RECORDS: Apprentice School 22-13; Thomas Nelson CC 9-22
LOCATION: War Memorial Stadium/Hampton, VA
IN BRIEF: Jacob Countiss had a career night going 4-for-6 with a pair of 2-run home runs and a pair of doubles as the Builders celebrated Senior Night with a 13-2 win over Thomas Nelson CC.
HOW THEY SCORED

• The Builders broke open the game quickly with a four-run first inning.  Countiss doubled to left field to start the game and advanced to third on a wild pitch.  Following walks to Thomas Richardson and Lee Rossi, Christian Burton hit a sacrifice fly to center which plated Countiss.  After a walk to Cody Norris to load the bases, Edwin Suarez smacked a single to left field to score Rossi and Richardson.  Jacob Cowles follwed with a single to center to score Norris as the hosts took a 4-0 lead.
• In the second, the Builders put up a pair of runs.  With one out, Richardson singled to center and stole second before scoring on a Ryan Hendrickson single.  He advanced to second on a wild pitch and went to third on a Rossi single before Burton singled up the middle to score Hendrickson for a 6-0 lead.
• Apprentice School got three more in the bottom of the third as Cowles started with a walk before Countiss took his first home run over the left field wall.  Richardson followed with a single and went to third on a Rossi single.  Burton followed with a double to right center to score Richardson to take a 9-0 advantage.
• The Gators clawed on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth as Jahleel Sewer doubled to left center and scored on a groundout from Aaron Sola.  After Russell Hall was hit by a pitch, Caleb Hertzler walked with both runners moving up on a wild pitch.  CJ Landrom then singled to center to score Hall to trim the margin to 9-2.
• In the home half of the inning, the Builders got three more on the board with two coming on Countiss' second two-run shot of the game to take a 12-2 lead.  The Builders got one more on the board in the sixth as Hayden Champigny drew a leadoff walk and went to third on the second double of the night for Countiss.  Following a groundout, Hendrickson drew a walk and Rossi followed with a run scoring single to plate Champigny for a 13-2 lead.

BEHIND THE BOXSCORE

• Three Builders joined Countiss in the three hits, or more, club Thursday night.  Richardson was 3-for-5 with three runs scored, Rossi was 3-for-4 with a run and a run batted in, while Burton was 3-for-3 and drove in three runs.  Suarez was 2-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs as the Builders had 17 hits in the game.
• In a game where eight pitchers saw action for the Builders, sophomore James Anthony took the win throwing an inning to put his record at 1-3.
• Landrom was 3-for-4 with two doubles for Thomas Nelson Community College (9-22), while Sewer was 2-for-4 also with a pair of doubles.  Eddie Rivera took the loss throwing three innings and allowing 11 hits and nine runs.

BIG DAY FOR COUNTISS

• The sophomore second baseman had a night to remember with his four hits, four RBI, two home run performance.  Countiss became the first Builder to have a pair of home runs in a game since Devorn Lake had two blasts on April 10, 2013 at the College of Albemarle.  His 12 total bases broke the single-game mark of 11 held by Jonathan Dehoux against Lock Haven on Feb. 21, 2009 and Ryan Scott against Virginia State on April 11, 2006.

SENIORS HONORED PRE-GAME

• Prior to the start of the game the seven-member senior class of the Builders were honored and all seven started the game.  The seniors were removed from the game one at a time to a rousing ovation from the crowd and hugs from teammates.

NEXT UP - ADDITIONAL GAMES

• The Builders have added a doubleheader on Thursday, May 7 against Thomas Nelson CC at home to start at 2 pm.