A phrase you hear from coaches no matter the sport is “Embrace The Grind.” The Poquoson High baseball team takes that phrase to heart, which was evident Tuesday afternoon.
After struggling one time through the batting order, the Islanders put up 11 runs in the middle three innings, taking advantage of eight walks and a season-best five RBIs from freshman Lucas Power, to defeat East Rockingham 11-3 in a Group 2 state quarterfinal at Firth Field.
Poquoson (18-6-1) advances to the semifinals on Friday at 10 a.m. at Kiwanis Field in Salem against Alleghany.
East Rockingham starter Landon Bruce baffled the Islanders in the first three innings, striking out six of the first 10 batters he faced. He was spotted to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Quinton Hensley walked and went to second on a Will Eppard single before scoring as a Bruce single was misplayed in the outfield.
Poquoson starter Maxim Fritts escaped a couple of tight spots early as the Eagles had runners in scoring position in the second and third innings before being held scoreless.
The Islanders got on the board in the fourth as Kai Baker singled and went to second on a walk by Monroe. Baker Green moved both runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt, and Power drove in both with a single to left for a 2-1 lead. Poquoson broke the game open in the fifth, putting up seven runs on three hits and taking advantage of six walks for a 9-1 lead.
East Rockingham (21-6) plated a run in the sixth, but Poquoson closed its scoring with a pair in its half of the inning. Baker walked and went to third one out later on a double by Green. Both runners scored as Power doubled to the left-field corner.
“It was not a pretty game, but it’s kind of how we play with no superstar on the field,” said Poquoson coach Kenny Bennett. “We just keep grinding and grinding, and figure out a way to be successful. Did enough right and got a couple big hits to give us some separation.”
