PREP BASEBALL: 4-way logjam for Shenandoah’s top spot

SWOOPE — It took two good pitching efforts and key runs in the fourth and sixth, but Buffalo Gap knocked off Wilson 7-5 on Monday night.

The win created a four-way tie between Gap, Wilson, Riverheads and Luray going into today, the last regular season game for all the teams.

The Hornets struck the first blow against Gap’s Josh McDevitt when Bryce Curd went opposite field for his first career home run.

Gap answered in the third with a homer of its own coming off the bat of Hunter Sandridge.

Even though Wilson scored five runs, they did so on four hits, mainly due to walks given up by McDevitt.

McDevitt walked five batters in six-plus innings of work while striking out 12.

“I was having a little trouble finding the zone,” McDevitt said. “I’m glad I had my team behind me because I didn’t throw that well today.”

His team was behind him, putting up three runs in the fourth to add to the lead.

Back-to-back-to-back RBI singles from Ryan Sheridan, Sandridge and Boone Jones cushioned the lead while chasing a tired Jordan DeLange from the game.

“We didn’t make some plays,” Wilson coach Derek McDaniel stated. “We had an opportunity to make some plays and didn’t while they did.”

Wilson’s Ryan Cale got to McDevitt in the top of the sixth for an RBI double, giving Wilson a little momentum down only three.

Gap coach Chad Coffey knew that in his ballpark three runs can be made in a hurry.

“I told them, ‘I don’t like it being a three-run game’,” Coffey added. “’Two kids get on, one by error and one by walk, next thing you know the next kid puts one over the fence, so let’s put a couple runs on the board and get rid of the three-run lead.’ ”

The Bison answered their coach’s call when Sheridan led off the inning with a walk, a trend for the game.

After Sandridge bunted a singled up the third baseline, Nick Corbin singled through the hole on the left side to score both runners.

With a 7-2 lead, the game looked safely in tact.

McDevitt started the seventh hitting Ryan Fitzgerald. After an error on second baseman Brandon Quick, Alex Sauer homered to deep center to cut the lead to two and giving all the momentum to Wilson while chasing McDevitt.

Ricky Clifton came in hold down the home turf against the visitors who wanted nothing more than to plate two more runs.

“Coach told me I just needed to throw strikes,” Clifton said. “It was pretty nice. We are trying to win the district so it felt good to get a win and help Josh out to pick up his win.”

After a nifty play on a groundball by Travis Ashby, Clifton struck out the next two batters to pick up the game, saving the win for senior McDevitt on Senior Day.

“Ricky sits over there, usually on the sideline,” Coffey added. “He is waiting on his next turn to pitch and is always ready when you call his number ready to throw all day if you want him too. It was huge of him to come in and shut them down.”

Buffalo Gap travels to Riverheads today for a matchup that could decide the regular season Shenandoah District champion depending on what happens in Fishersville.

If Wilson and Luray split a doubleheader, the Gap and Riverheads winner takes the title.

If either Wilson or Luray sweep, the winner plays a tiebreaker with the Gap and Riverheads winner for the title.