Bachman's Blast Propels 'Sox to VBL Championship

By: Luke Stefanisko

WAYNESBORO, Va. - Brayden Bachman (East Carolina) had just missed a home run a few innings earlier. In his second opportunity, he blasted a two-run homer to propel the Tom Sox to their fifth-straight Valley Baseball League Championship series.

In a game featuring two heavyweights from the VBL South Division, Charlottesville had the edge to pick up a 5-2 win over the Waynesboro Generals.

Charlottesville had the opportunity to close out the series on Sunday, but failed to muster much in a 4-1 loss that never felt close for the 'Sox.

The odds certainly felt slim for the four-time VBL champs, as the team had only won once in four trips to Kate Collins Field this season.

But that didn't mean the team was ready to roll over. In the first inning, Xavier McCoury (Liberty) led off with a walk and came around to score on a Tommy Landsnes groundout to make it 1-0.

Evan Alwine was tasked with starting on the mound for the Tom Sox. He had pitched in two prior meetings against the Generals on the road. Both games ended in a loss. He allowed a solo shot in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at one.

Waynesboro would strike next off of Alwine. Following a controversial call at third on a triple for the Gens, a double brought in a second run to give them a 2-1 advantage.

But the first of two long balls for the Tom Sox would put them ahead in the fifth. Bryce Neely (Virginia) clubbed his third of the year to give the 'Sox a lead they would not relinquish.

Alwine completed six full innings on the mound, exiting with the scoreline in favor of his squad. He was replaced by fellow multi-year 'Sox star Trevor Booton. Booton worked a 1-2-3 inning to shut down the Generals.

The Generals would not go quietly, however, as they managed two baserunners in the bottom of the eighth inning. With league leader in average Jake Mueller pinch-hitting, Randy Tomlin turned to closer Asher Sabom (Augusta) an inning early to get them out of the jam.

Sabom accomplished that feat with flying colors, including a pop up and a pair of strikeouts to push all momentum to Charlottesville.

Bachman rode that momentum when he clubbed a 2-1 pitch from Gens' lefty Kaleb Sexton for one of the longest home runs this season in the top of the ninth. His blast took all of the life out of the away crowd and bolstered the hopes of every 'Sox fan in the ballpark.

Needing three outs, Sabom didn't hold back. He earned two quick outs before getting a General hitter to fly out weakly to Landsnes in right, ending the game and sending the 'Sox back to the chip.

Charlottesville has been to eight of the last nine Valley Baseball League championships, including the last five dating back to 2022. Randy Tomlin becomes the second manager to reach three championships, alongside Corey Hunt.

UP NEXT: The Tom Sox travel to Winchester to battle the top-seeded Royals in Game One of the Valley Baseball League Championship. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Bridgeforth Field.