Suffolk News-Herald

Missed opportunities on one side and the big bats of host Greenbrier Christian Academy (GCA) on the other, added up to an 8-1 defeat for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy on Saturday night in the championship game of the TCIS tournament.

The Saints left 11 runners on base, including seven in scoring position, before Jeff Cooper finally scored NSA’s only run in the top of the seventh.

After NSA got two runners on, but not in, in the top of the first, the Gators quickly put three runs on the board. The third inning, however, became the true turning point.

In the NSA half, the Saints loaded the bases with one out before Cooper hit a hard groundball at the Gator second baseman that became a perfect 4-6-3 double play to suddenly erase the possible rally. The Gator offense then continued to make things tough on NSA starter Matt Hamlet, scoring three in the bottom of the third and two more in the fourth.

Bryan Breedlove shut down the Gators in the final two and two-thirds innings, striking out seven along the way.

Adam Keeling was 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base.

The Saints (16-5) begin their chances in the state tournament this afternoon at home with a quarterfinal game versus St. Christopher’s.

If victorious, NSA would then play the semis and finals at Sheppard Stadium in Colonial Heights beginning Thursday.

The Lady Saints softball team fared no better Saturday against GCA in their conference championship. NSA was able to get runners in scoring position in two of the first three innings, but unable to come up with runs.

The Lady Gators then scored four times in the bottom of the fourth and added three more the fifth to earn a 7-0 victory.

After getting wins in her first two tourney games, Jessica Little took a complete game loss, making her 14-5 on the season.

The Lady Saints also reached the state tournament, and played their first round game late Monday in Northern Virginia against Bishop Ireton Prep.