By ANNE M. PETERSON (AP Sports Writer)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The United States played its best game of this Women’s World Cup and it’s wasn’t good enough to stop the two-time reigning champions from being eliminated from the tournament.

The Americans’ bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive title ended Sunday on penalty kicks. Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelly O’Hara all missed penalties that could have given the United States the win.

Lina Hurtig converted and Sweden knocked the United States out of the World Cup 5-4 after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time. The Americans controlled the shootout but O’Hara missed the Americans’ final attempt and then Hurtig scored to give Sweden the win.

It is the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States, four-time winners of the World Cup.

“I mean, this is like a sick joke. For me personally, this is like dark comedy that I missed a penalty,” Rapinoe said as she blinked back tears. “This is the balance to the beautiful side of the game. I think it can be cruel.”

U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher fruitlessly argued she had saved Hurtig’s attempt, but it was ruled over the line. The stadium played Abba’s “Dancing Queen” in the stadium as the Swedes celebrated and the U.S. players sobbed.

“We just lost the World Cup by a millimeter. That’s tough,” said Naeher, who successfully converted her own penalty kick. “I am proud of the fight of the team. We knew we hadn’t done our best in the group stage and we wanted a complete team performance and the team came out and played great.”

She praised Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who had 11 saves to eliminate the United States in the round of 16 for the first time in team history. The American’s worst finish had been third place, three different times.

“We didn’t put anything in the back of the net,” sobbed Julie Ertz after the loss. “The penalties were tough. It’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever. It’s just tough. It’s an emotional time. It obviously sucks. Penalties are the worst.”

The loss was somewhat expected based on the Americans’ listless play through three group stage matches. But they played their best game of this World Cup against Sweden, only to have it decided by penalties.

“I am proud of the women on the field,” said U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I know we were criticized for the way we played, and for different moments in the group stage. I think we came out today and showed the grit, the resilience, the fight. The bravery showed we did everything we could to win the game. And, unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”

It was the was the fourth time the Americans went to extra time at the World Cup. All three previous matches went to penalties, including the 2011 final won by Japan. The U.S. won on penalties in a 2011 quarterfinal match against Brazil, and in the 1999 final at the final at the Rose Bowl against China.

Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinals on penalties.

Sweden goes on to the quarterfinals to play Japan, the 2011 World Cup winner, which defeated Norway 3-1 on Saturday night.

Sweden has never won a major international tournament, either the World Cup or the Olympics. The closest the team has come is World Cup runner-up in 2003. They finished in third in the 1999, 2011 and 2019 editions, and won silver medals in the last two Olympics.

The result ended the international career of Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 tournament who is retiring after the World Cup. She had taken on a smaller role for the Americans in her final tournament and was a substitute in the United States’ first and third games of group play, and didn’t get off the bench in the middle match.

She came on in extra time against Sweden and in her final game and few minutes of action, she failed to control a ball played in deep, whiffed on a rebound, hit the side of the net with a corner and then missed the penalty that would have won the game for the United States.

“Just devastated. It feels like a bad dream,” said captain Alex Morgan. “The team put everything out there tonight, I feel like we dominated, but it doesn’t matter. We’re going home and it’s the highs and lows of the sport of soccer. So, yeah, it doesn’t feel great.”

The Americans struggled through group play with just four goals in three matches. They were nearly eliminated last Tuesday by first-timers Portugal, but eked out a 0-0 draw to fall to second in their group for just the second time at a World Cup.

The Americans looked far better against Sweden, dominating possession and outshooting the Swedes 5-1 in the first half alone. Lindsey Horan’s first-half header hit the crossbar and a second-half blast was saved by goalkeeper Musovic, who had six saves in regulation.

Sweden won all three of their group games, including a 5-0 rout of Italy in its final group match. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made nine lineup changes for the match, resting his starters in anticipation of the United States.

“They will come back for sure, they have so much quality on their team,” Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani said after the match. “This defeat will not take them down. I expect them to be ready for the next World Cup.”

It was tense from the opening whistle.

Naeher punched the ball away from a crowded goal on an early Sweden corner kick. Three of the Swedes’ goals against Italy came on set pieces.

Trinity Rodman’s shot from distance in the 18th minute was easily caught by Musovic, who stopped another chance by Rodman in the 27th.

Horan’s header off Andi Sullivan’s corner in the 34th hit the crossbar and skipped over the goal. Horan was on target in the 53rd minute but Musovic dove to push it wide. Horan crouched to the field in frustration while Musovic was swarmed by her teammates.

___

More AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

Over the past few years, the nation has faced a perfect storm of conditions that have made it harder to put food on the table, including a once-in-a-generation pandemic and skyrocketing prices for food and other necessities. Food banks such as the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Virginia Peninsula Foodbank are stepping in to help our neighbors fill in the gaps, but food banks aren’t immune to the soaring costs impacting the nation.

Across the Feeding America network, higher operations costs, sustained increased demand for food, decreased donations, supply chain disruptions, and dwindling government support are making it harder than usual for food banks to help our neighbors fill their kitchen tables. Right now, there’s a lot at stake for the tens of millions of people experiencing food insecurity in the United States and the charitable food sector straining to support those seeking food assistance.

As individuals facing hunger continue receiving assistance from food banks, members of Congress must remain committed partners in the effort to end hunger by increasing investments in federal nutrition programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the 2023 Farm Bill.

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Virginia Peninsula Foodbank call on Congress to do the following:

Increase funding for TEFAP to help people facing hunger access nourishing food and support the U.S. agricultural economy. TEFAP is a federal nutrition program that moves food from farms to food banks to individuals and families facing hunger. TEFAP is also a cornerstone of the Feeding America network’s food supply. TEFAP commodities are critical to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and to Virginia Peninsula Foodbank to ensure that while food donations decrease, our neighbors in need continue to receive proper nourishment provided by this important federal program. Even in the years prior to the pandemic, as much as 20% of the food distributed by our local food banks came from the TEFAP program authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. Now the need and importance of the program is so much greater.

As individuals and families without enough to eat continue to budget, save and find other ways to weather the circumstances exacerbating food insecurity, we’re calling on our local congressional delegation to increase TEFAP funding in the 2023 Farm Bill. Such an investment would mean more healthy foods moving from food bank shelves to kitchen tables across Hampton Roads.

Strengthening TEFAP funding in the 2023 Farm Bill is a win for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity and Virginia’s farmers. More TEFAP purchases translate to more purchases from local growers and producers — a boon for Virginia’s agricultural economy.

Support and strengthen SNAP by increasing access, funding, and eligibility to help people facing hunger keep their pantries full. SNAP is the nation’s largest and most effective federal food program. In 2022, SNAP helped approximately 40 million people put food on the table during tough times. For each meal the Feeding America food bank network provides, SNAP provides nine.

Even though SNAP helps people afford groceries, it is still not enough. Participants only receive about $6 per person per day in food benefits. Lawmakers must ensure SNAP’s purchasing power aligns with grocery prices and provides adequate support during tough economic times.

The 2023 Farm Bill also provides a viable pathway toward streamlining SNAP eligibility and enrollment. Currently, eligibility rules and enrollment processes can be complicated and confusing, creating unnecessary challenges to accessing essential food benefits for older adults, college students, immigrants and low-wage workers. Lawmakers can remove the hurdles that can stand in the way of receiving critical food assistance.

TEFAP and SNAP work together to help individuals across the country get the food we all need to thrive. By increasing investments in both programs, Congress can help ease the strain and stress of hunger in Hampton Roads and in communities across the country.

Karen L. Joyner is chief executive officer of Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. Christopher Tan is president and chief executive officer of Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

Serena Brown, of Newport News, helps son CJ Brown, 1, decorate his floating lantern at the Water Lantern Festival at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Saturday, August 5, 2023. Daughter Leandra Brown, 3, left, watches CJ attempt to draw. Participants at the festival decorate floating lantern with words, drawings and symbols to put in Lake Trashmore at dusk. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

In the blink of an eye, Lionsbridge FC’s hopes of a national championship vanished.

After a season including the first four playoff victories in a club history that dates to 2018, Lionsbridge FC flew cross-country and fell 2-1 to Ballard FC in Saturday night’s USL League Two title match near Seattle in Tukwila, Washington.

Just when it appeared the match would go to extra time, Ballard’s Peter Kingston laced a free kick that teammate Cameron Martin headed past Lions keeper Tyler Hogan for the tiebreaking goal in stoppage time. That sent most in the sellout crowd of 3,416 into a frenzy, and flares went off near the sidelines despite the rain.

Hogan took a pass on the subsequent kickoff and drilled the ball downfield, but Ballard knocked it away to prompt the referee’s final whistle.

It was a stunning ending after the brief euphoria Josh Baker brought Lionsbridge by scoring the tying goal short-handed in the 80th minute of a game that Ballard often controlled. Lionsbridge’s unbeaten streak ended at 10 matches.

Stas Korzeniowski, a second-team NCAA All-American last season for the Penn Quakers, put the hosts on top in the 24th minute, stealing the ball and knocking it into the net after receiving a yellow card in the 19th.

But the Lions (13-3-4) incurred numerous yellow cards in their only road match of a playoff bracket that began with 32 of the nation’s 122 teams in the top level of American amateur soccer.

Lions center back Adam Kirkwood got a yellow card in the 27th minute for physical play and another in the 37th, ostensibly for an unsportsmanlike comment toward an official. That brought out a red card and forced the Lions to play a man short.

Lionsbridge coach Chris Whalley got a yellow card shortly after Kirkwood’s ejection, and David Materazzi got one after a hard foul.

A few dozen Lionsbridge fans were in the crowd at Starfire Sports Stadium, one of the epicenters of Pacific Northwest soccer; it is the training base for the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer and OL Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League.

But thousands of often-red-clad Ballard fans were on hand for the “Battle of the Bridges” at a venue bigger than their club’s usual home field, providing an intense atmosphere even beyond what the Lions often have at their home TowneBank Stadium.

The Lionsbridge fans who gathered at Coastal Fermentory in downtown Newport News for a viewing party couldn’t have liked what they saw early.

From the start, Ballard (15-1-1), a second-year club, had more dangerous chances. Hogan and his teammates often needed to defend corner kicks.

Early in the second half, Ballard threatened more. But just before the Lions might have gotten desperate, Baker collected a long throw-in and scored from the top of the 18-yard box — similar to how the Englishman from High Point University netted the tying goal in the second half in a home semifinal against The Villages FC.

Lionsbridge advanced in a 4-3 penalty-kick shootout that night and seemed destined for extra time and, perhaps, another series of one-on-one confrontations. Those odds got even better when Korzeniowski was ejected in the 83rd minute after receiving his second yellow card, leaving the teams even at 10 against 10.

But two Ballard players who grew up near Seattle spoiled the Lions’ plans. Kingston, who plays for Seattle University, drove a ball that Martin, who has played 37 games for the Michigan Wolverines, flicked into the net. Soon, the Lions accepted their second-place prize as their supporters gave them a standing ovation.

Connor Hall regained his vise-like grip on Langley Speedway’s Late Model Division on Saturday night, winning two more 50-lap races in his hometown of Hampton.

Two weeks prior, Hall’s 11-race victory streak — including 10 Langley Late Model 50-lappers in a row — ended as Brenden “Butterbean” Queen won the track’s most prestigious annual race, the Hampton Heat 200. But Saturday, with Queen not in the field of 17, Hall regained the upper hand.

He zoomed to victory in the 50-lap opener, outpacing Greg Edwards by 0.962 of a second in a race that lasted less than 19 minutes.

Ryan Matthews was a distant third, 7.036 seconds behind Hall, who began the night 31 points ahead of second-place Edwards.

In the encore, which took 14:17, Hall moved up to edge Zach Bruenger by 244-thousandths of a second. Edwards was a distant third, 6.245 seconds behind.

Saturday’s second twin race expanded Hall’s already massive points lead in a season that began with him saying he wasn’t planning to compete for the championship.

In other divisions:

Legends: Devon Courtney won a 25-lap thriller by 99-thousandths of a second over Tommy Jackson, who entered the night with a 17-point season lead. Courtney began the evening sixth in points, 37 behind Courtney.

Colby Flowers was third in the field of 14 as the 25-lap race took just more than 11 minutes and 10 seconds.

Grand Stock: Bill Eaker slipped past Tim Wilson by a mere 64-thousandths of a second for a triumph, and third-running Paul Lubno was just 108-thousandths behind Eaker on the 30th and final lap.

Wilson and Lubno began the night tied for the standings lead, but Eaker — eight points behind them before the green flag — gained his first victory of the year. Nine drivers began a clash that took less than 16:42 to decide.

Super Street: Sammy Gaita captured a 40-lap victory, outpacing Landon Abbott by 0.377 of a second in a race that took up almost 13 minutes. Jimmy Adkins was in third place, 937-thousandths behind the winner in a field of 14 competitors.

Points leader Gordon Weeks III placed seventh, while his nearest pursuer, Dale Nichols, was fifth. Gaita took the green flag third in the standings but gained his division-leading fifth win of the year.

UCAR: Christian Keller won a 25-lap race by 0.738 of a second over Charlie Bryant to garner his third triumph of the season.

Tyler Borden took third in an event that included 12 drivers and lasted more than 23:37.

Points leader Hayden Sheldon placed seventh, enabling Bryant to close what had been a nine-point gap entering the race.

Pro Six: Just seven drivers competed for 25 laps, and Travis Wall continued his 2023 dominance with a 1.320-second triumph over Atley Wiese. Trey New placed third, 2.379 seconds off the lead.

Wall has won five of the six races in the class this year, though Wiese began the program just three points behind him.

Bandolero: Brian Rundstrom Jr. prevailed in a race that lasted 17 laps, two beyond the scheduled distance, and took more than 20 minutes.

Coming into the evening with a 16-point lead, he beat runner-up Bryson Nichols by 329-thousandths of a second and third-place Tristan Burnelli by 0.849. It was Rundstrom’s sixth victory in the division’s seven races of 2023.

————

Saturday’s leaders in Hampton, with car numbers in parentheses.

Late Model 50 #1: (18 starters); 1. (77) Connor Hall; 2. (21) Greg Edwards; 3. (51) Ryan Matthews; 4. (29b) Chase Burrow; 5. (41) Woody Howard.

Late Model 50 #2: (17 starters); 1. (77) Connor Hall; 2. (24) Zach Bruenger; 3. (21) Greg Edwards; 4. (91) Justin Carroll; 5. (26) Danny Edwards.

Pro Six 25: (7 starters); 1. (44) Travis Wall; 2. (78) Atley Wiese; 3. (55) Trey New; 4. (39) Jaxon Bone; 5. (67) Chris Bechtel.

Legends 25: (14 starters); 1. (17) Devon Courtney; 2. (87) Tommy Jackson; 3. (33) Colby Flowers; 4. (11) Cody Carlton; 5. (5b) Charlie Beals.

Super Street 40: (14 starters); 1. (21) Sammy Gaita; 2. (70) Landon Abbott; 3. (71) Jimmy Adkins; 4. (44) Colby Vance; 5. (8) Dale Nichols.

UCAR 25: (12 starters); 1. (6) Christian Keller; 2. (88) Charlie Bryant; 3. (36) Tyler Borden; 4. (99) Crystal West; 5. (18) Brent Burgess.

Grand Stock 30: (9 starters); 1. (29) Bill Eaker; 2. (17) Tim Wilson; 3. (14) Paul Lubno; 4. (22) Mike Parker; 5. (8) Ethan Hartman.

Bandolero 15: (10 starters); 1. (88) Brian Rundstrom Jr.; 2. (80) Bryson Nichols; 3. (18) Tristan Burnelli; 4. (99) Ryleigh Rondeau; 5. (38) Penelope Carlisle.

I am honored to support the bipartisan legislation introduced by the Maryland and Virginia congressional delegations to authorize the Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). I also support the legislation’s proposal that Fort Monroe National Monument become a key site for interpretation and visitor services. If passed into law, the CNRA would be a land-based park experience, uniting new and existing National Park Service sites and trails, as well as partner parks, to increase access to the Chesapeake Bay and create a national park-style visitor experience for all people.

In Hampton Roads specifically, the CNRA will raise awareness about the Chesapeake Bay’s importance as a natural, cultural, recreational and economic resource. At Fort Monroe, increased interpretation and new visitor services focused on the bay will support several of the specific reasons President Barack Obama established Fort Monroe National Monument in 2011: preservation of historic, natural and recreational resources and to provide land and water-based recreational opportunities.

The Chesapeake Bay is as spectacular as any national park. Establishing the CNRA makes it clear that the United States cherishes the bay and recognizes its role in American history. Due to the fort’s historic, cultural and natural connections to the bay, the site is perfectly suited to be the CNRA’s southern anchor site.

The Fort Monroe Arc of Freedom, specific events unique to the fort’s history that shaped the American definition of freedom, all have close ties to the bay. Within the fort’s eight miles of waterfront, of which 3.2 miles face the Chesapeake Bay, indigenous people thrived for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. In 1607, English colonists landed on their way to Jamestown. In 1619, the first Africans were forcibly brought to English North America and traded as property at Point Comfort. In 1861, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler’s “contraband decision” began to unravel the institution of slavery as Frank Baker, James Townsend and Shepard Mallory became the first contrabands. This earned Fort Monroe the nickname “Freedom’s Fortress.” And more recently, the importance of the fort’s role in protecting the Chesapeake Bay during both world wars. All these key historical points occurred at the site of Fort Monroe because of its strategic location along the bay.

In addition to the fort’s historic connections to the bay, the site is already serving the public by offering recreational opportunities and public engagement with the environment. It is hoped that the CNRA would encourage even greater accessibility to the Chesapeake Bay, such as a public boat ramp and kayak launch at Old Point Comfort Marina and handicap-accessible beaches. It is important that all visitors to Fort Monroe can experience the bay.

The National Park Service, Fort Monroe Authority and partner organizations such as the Fort Monroe Historical Society are interpreting the fort’s history and could offer expertise to support CNRA visitor services. Youth Sailing Virginia, a non-profit also based at the fort, is inspiring the next generation to appreciate the Chesapeake Bay by teaching students how to sail through safe, fun, and educational water-based programs. These are just two examples of the fort’s infrastructure of public-private partnerships which make the site ideal for the CNRA.

The creation of the CNRA with Fort Monroe as a key site will help future generations experience the history, culture and natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. Perhaps most important, this legislation will build awareness about the need to protect the bay. It will also inspire the creation of sustainable jobs and increased private investment in the region. The CNRA, with engaging and meaningful visitor services at Fort Monroe, will have positive impacts on the fort’s visitation, its environmental stewardship initiatives and the Hampton Roads tourism economy.

W. Robert Kelly, Jr. is the director of the Gloucester Museum of History, president of the Fort Monroe Historical Society, president of the Peninsula Museums Forum, vice president of the American Friends of Lafayette, former Casemate Museum historian, and a Fort Monroe resident. 

In Game 1 of Saturday night’s doubleheader at Harbor Park, Connor Norby and Josh Lester each had two hits and two RBIs as the Norfolk Tides breezed to an 8-2 victory over the Charlotte Knights.

The Tides took a 67-38 International League record into the doubleheader’s second game, while Charlotte was 40-66.

Norfolk, the IL first-half champion, improved to 19-12 in the second half and to 4-1 in the series. The Knights dropped to 5-26 in the second half and are the only one of the 20 IL teams with fewer than 10 victories.

Tides left-hander DL Hall (1-1) struck out five in two innings of relief, giving up one hit and no walks, as he gained his first win of the year and gave an impression that he soon could be ready to help Baltimore’s drive for the American League East title. Hall, plagued by injuries for much of the year, recently spent four weeks at the Orioles’ spring training in Sarasota, Florida, to build up his arm strength.

Norfolk starter Ryan Watson yielded two runs in three innings, but Hall and fellow relievers Morgan McSweeney and Wandisson Charles shut out Charlotte thereafter.

Robbie Glendinning’s homer in the second inning helped Norfolk go ahead 2-0. Charlotte responded with two runs in the top of the third, but Lewin Diaz’s RBI single in the bottom half put the Tides ahead to stay. Norby’s two-run double to right in the fourth elevated the margin to 5-2.

In the sixth, Lester’s two-run double and Coby Mayo’s RBI double completed the scoring.

The series finale is set for 4:05 p.m. Sunday.

TRACK AND FIELD

Recent Heritage High graduate Madison Whyte earned a gold medal as part of the winning United States mixed 1,600-meter relay at the U20 Pan Am Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Whyte, the two-time winner of The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press Female Athlete of the Year, ran the second leg and split 51.5 seconds as her relay finished in 3 minutes, 18.07 seconds. Her team won by more than six seconds.

White, who signed with Southern California, is a two-time Gatorade Virginia Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING

UVA gains pledge from former Cavaliers DB’s son

Virginia gained a commitment from tight end/defensive end Henry Omohundro, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound rising senior at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond. He became the 14th UVA pledge for the class of 2024.

His brother Elby has been an All-ACC heptathlon athlete for UVA’s track and field team, and their father, Buddy, was an two-time All-ACC defensive back for the Cavaliers in their early 1990s heyday under George Welsh.

HORSE RACING

Carmelina captures Keswick Stakes

Carmelina, a 2-year-old filly, surged on the far outside to win the $150,000 Keswick Stakes over Beachfront Breeze and Remember Me at Colonial Downs on Saturday afternoon.

Jockey Mychel Sanchez and trainer Robert Reid earned the victory in the 5-furlong dirt race in New Kent County.

Also, jockey Jevian Toledo went over the $50 million mark of career earnings by riding Massif to triumph in the day’s third race. Brittany Russell trained the victor.

At one point as the clock ticked seemingly louder Tuesday afternoon, the core of the Norfolk Tides’ offense sat together in a Harbor Park office, a collective bundle of nerves.

Infielders Connor Norby, Joey Ortiz, Coby Mayo and outfielders Kyle Stowers and Heston Kjerstad — all of them current or one-time elite Baltimore Orioles prospects — held a stressful, makeshift summit as Major League Baseball’s 6 p.m. trade deadline inched agonizingly closer.

“Take a mental picture,” Norby said to a club employee, “because we don’t know what’s going to happen any minute or at the end of the day.

“I was like, ‘This would really suck if one of us was gone after today.’ “

Norby, one of a handful of Norfolk players rumored to be on the Orioles’ trading block, described Tuesday and the days leading up to it as “very, very stressful.” The Tides have been one of the best teams in the minors all season, and Norby and his teammates didn’t want to see any mass changes.

But the deadline came and went, and Norfolk’s core stayed put.

Or, as Norby put it: “They kept the band together.”

Despite rampant speculation, the Tides lost just three players Tuesday. The Orioles dealt reliever Eduard Bazardo to the Seattle Mariners for right-hander Logan Rinehart fairly early in the afternoon. Then minutes before 6 p.m., word came down that infielder Cesar Prieto and lefty Drew Rom had been dealt along with a lower-level right-hander to the St. Louis Cardinals for major league starting righty Jack Flaherty.

Norfolk manager Buck Britton was glad most of his group stayed intact.

”From my standpoint, yeah, it was great,” Britton said, adding that he’d read that Orioles GM Mike Elias had said the club took some “big swings” during trade talks.

“I think (the Orioles) were fortunate that they got the guy they wanted. We were able to keep what we wanted.”

The Tides attacked Tuesday’s stress with humor. One rumored trade target was Chicago White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease. Norfolk happened to be playing Chicago’s top affiliate, Charlotte, that evening, so jokes flew around the clubhouse and at batting practice about the possibility of having to change dugouts before that night’s game.

When someone joked to Norby that Charlotte’s clubhouse manager had asked for his hat size, he rolled his eyes and said, “Everybody’s funny today.”

He then sat down in the Tides’ first-base dugout and said to no one in particular, “Is it 6:01 yet?”

Kjerstad, who has played professionally for just over a calendar year, was asked Tuesday afternoon about the prospect of being traded. The 24-year-old former second overall draft pick made it clear where he wants to be.

“The team that drafts you, they’re the team that has the most interest in you and wants you the most,” Kjerstad said. “So that’s the team I always want to stay with. So I want to stay with the O’s and everything like that for my whole career.”

The Tides, who are already in the International League playoffs by virtue of their first-half title, can now set their sites on winning a league championship. If they do, they’ll play in the Triple-A National Championship Game on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas.

“We want to go to Vegas and we want to win and we want to play for a championship,” Norby said Saturday. “I think that’s kind of what my goal has been. I want to finish getting better here and my development here, and I would love to be an Oriole for however long God wants me to. But at the end of the day, whatever God’s plan was for me, I have to trust it.”

Britton, a former Norfolk utilityman, said he understood why the parent club kept its deadline moves to a minimum.

“I don’t know if it’s a relief, per se,” Britton said. “But I’m glad that we had enough assets that the big league team got what they feel like they needed. I’m happy to still have the guys that I do in this room.

“You look up there, you’ve got the best team in the American League. I think they needed another starter. I think they realized that for a number of reasons — reasons I don’t even know about.”

Norby, a former East Carolina star, admitted that finally seeing 6:01 on the clock was “somewhat of a relief,” adding that Norfolk’s core group has grown especially close.

That mental picture he suggested remains a real one.

“We have great friendships and great relationships,” Norby said. “It’s been a lot of fun every single night going out with them on the field and doing what we’ve been doing. We learn off each other, we build off each other, we compete with each other and we love playing with each other. That was the biggest thing, and that would’ve been hard to say goodbye to.”

David Hall, [email protected]. Twitter @DavidHallVP.