BSH falls to Carlisle in VIS Division III semifinals

PETERSBURG -- Blessed Sacrament Huguenot baseball coach James Poore faced a difficult decision in the fourth inning of the Knights' Virginia Independent Schools, Division III tournament semifinal at the Petersburg Sports Complex.

The Knights had a three-run lead on Carlisle of Martinsville. Chiefs occupied every base, and Poore had to choose between pitching to Carlisle's most dangerous hitter, Jake Joyce, or intentionally walk in a run.

BSH reliever Ryan Bendele pitched to Joyce, who jacked a high slider over the center field fence for a grand slam. The Chiefs tacked on three more runs in the sixth for an 8-4 victory yesterday.

Carlisle (20-2) advanced to today's final against Hampton Christian. BSH finished the season 15-7.

"In another situation, maybe I walk him. I didn't want to walk him," Poore said. "Joyce is dangerous but [Cameron] Martin is pretty dangerous, too, and Bendele has been our best relief guy."

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot built a 4-0 lead by scoring twice in the second inning and adding two in the third off Martin. Chris Howard had an RBI single, T.J. Dobruckyo drove in a run and Shane Mullins and Alex Winfree delivered run-scoring sacrifice flies.

Joyce, a junior who has committed to Virginia Tech, came on in relief in the third and shackled the Knights' the rest of the way. He struck out nine batters.

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot's three pitchers walked nine Chiefs. Walks and a misplayed bunt loaded the bases for Carlisle in the fourth.

The Knights' intentionally walked Joyce in the sixth before Martin delivered an RBI single, and Trey Gaylor contributed a two-run single.

"We've been coming back on people all year," Poore said. "[Joyce] is a really good player. He shut us down quick." -- Arthur Utley

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot ------------------------- 022 000 0 -- 4 6 3
Carlisle ------------------------- 000 503 x -- 8 7 0

G. Paul, Bendele (4), C. Paul (4) and Myers; Martin, Joyce (3) and Turner, Martin (3) W: Joyce; L: Bendele