FOREST, Va. (WSET) — The trophy case at Jefferson Forest got a little more full on Friday night, thanks to softball and baseball both claiming their own Region 4D titles.
For coach Ryan Gilleland and the baseball team, the victory feels a little sweeter today, after being denied the chance to compete one year ago.
Minutes removed from the Cavaliers’ 11-0 win over Sherando for the region title, Cavs players couldn’t help but remember last year’s run being cut painfully short, despite a 15-5 record. After a series of tiebreakers failed, a coin flip determined the team moving on, ending the year for JF with unfulfilled promise.
“I think missing the playoffs last year with a 15-5 record, and not having a chance to play in the playoffs. i think that that stayed with them for a long time.” said coach Ryan Gilleland. “(The team)..They’re playing for themselves. they’re playing for the group from last year they graduated.”
So far, that drive has driven the Cavaliers to a 22-2 record, winning in various ways, including a come-from-behind win against Salem earlier in the region playoffs, to blowout wins like Friday against Sherando.
“It feels great. I mean, you only get to do this a couple times in your life, and you know, it just feels great to have the opportunity to play in a region championship.” says senior outfielder Duncan Apperson. “It’s just a blessing to win, I think that we’re a great group and we’ve been playing great baseball but I mean, there’s always room for improvement. So I think that we can only get better.”
How far that drive and desire carries Jefferson Forest in next week’s state tournament remains to be seen, but Gilleland says his players have the right attitude and work ethic to go as far as they can. “The team culture is really good. From our our freshmen, all into our seniors. it’s a fun group to be around every day.”
Jefferson Forest will host Lee, the region 4C runners up, in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday evening at Thacker Field in Forest.