10th-inning wonder

LURAY — Fans were on the edge of their seats, the tension was thicker than the humidity that had worked its way into Bulldog Park and Vienna pitcher Jimmy Duggan toed the rubber for the visitors against Waynesboro.
With Austin Morgan on second and Derek Hamblen in the box, Duggan delivered a first-pitch fastball that Hamblen belted off the wall in left-center field, scoring Morgan and winning the game 1-0 for the Generals against the No. 1 team in the country according to http://www.PGcrosschecker.com on Tuesday night.
“It’s awesome,” Hamblen laughed. “I was fortunate to get a good pitch and take advantage of it.”
Daniel Bradshaw got the start for the Generals against a potent Senators lineup.
After allowing a single in the first inning, Bradshaw struck out Martin Parra to end the inning.
Bradshaw struck out two of the three batters he faced in the second, on pace for six strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
“We stayed focused,” Waynesboro coach Lawrence Nesselrodt said. “They had a good team in the dugout that was deserving of their ranking. I think this win is an indication of how good of a team we are.”
Vienna pitcher Ryan Wooley was just as impressive in his start, going five innings, allowing four hits while striking out five.
Morgan provided the faint offensive spark in the Generals’ offense, singling three times, going 3-for-4 and scoring the game-winning run.
Vienna threatened several times in the ballgame.
In the third inning, Bradshaw gave up back-to-back one out singles to Nick Boullosa and Juan Mujica before a ground ball to Evan Webb forced Boullosa out at home. Bradshaw struck out Seth Henry to end the inning.
The Senators again attempted to score the game’s first run in the sixth inning with back-to-back, two-out hits by Henry and Parra.
Matt Goulas’ pop out to Webb ended yet another threat.
The Generals had enough trouble trying to score against Vienna starter Wooley.
In the sixth, the Senators brought in Eric Cantrell to pitch.
Cantrell lasted four and one-third innings, giving up only one hit. That hit was Morgan’s single in the tenth.
Cantrell was lifted for Duggan, and in stepped Hamblen.
Not one minute later, a swarm of General red took the field to celebrate a victory, although an exhibition game, against the No. 1 team in the country.
The Generals return home to the KC Thursday against Winchester.