Generals clinch the South Division

For the third year in a row the Waynesboro Generals rushed the field screaming “We’re No. 1”.
On Wednesday night the Generals clinched the South Division title defeating their biggest rival, Staunton 8-4 at the KC.
“It’s a nice feeling [to do this against Staunton],” Waynesboro coach Lawrence Nesselrodt said. “They’re an archrival, they have been since way before any of us were born.”
The Braves tried to hold down the Generals’ push for the division title in the first inning, plating two runs.
Stephen Branca was hit by a pitch, scoring on a Donovan Huffer triple. Max Most hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Huffer.
The Generals kept up with the Braves in the first and coasted throughout.
Gabriel Saade singled and stole second base. Austin Morgan’s single scored Saade. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Evan Webb and Grant Buckner gave the Generals the 3-2 lead.
Daniel Bradshaw settled down on the mound for the Generals after the first inning and gave up four hits over the next six innings.
“We can be a little less demanding on the pitching staff,” Nesselrodt said. “I feel the only way to enter the playoffs is to go in hot.”
The Generals stretched the lead out, scoring two runs each in the fifth and seventh innings.
A Mark Dvoroznak double in the fifth was followed up by an RBI triple off the bat of Brandon Sizemore. Sizemore scored on a Morgan sacrifice fly.
Sizemore was in on the action in the seventh, walking and stealing second. Adams and Webb singled and doubled respectively, knocking in an RBI a piece.
Coach Nesselrodt was very optimistic about the team following the championship dog pile.
“My coaches, John Cullen and Derek McDaniel, don’t get enough credit,” Nesselrodt said. “I give the glory to God, the credit to the players, and the privilege is all mine.”
With two games left against the Braves, Staunton isn’t being overlooked.
“Lance [Mauck] is one of my former players.” Nesselrodt said. “I’m proud of the fact they fought themselves into second place, but first place is where Generals belong. I’ve always said that Generals belong in the front of the line. Every old movie I’ve ever watched the generals are in front and that’s where they belong.”
As the Generals receive another Southern Division pennant, they prepare to hit the road and take on Harrisonburg tonight. Staunton returns to the KC again Friday to take on the champion Generals.