Matthew Lounsberry mlounsberry@hillsdale.net mlounsberryHDN

UNION CITY Jonesville softball is the champion of District 79 in Union City after wins over Homer and Bronson on Saturday.

The Lady Comets defeated Bronson 7-2 in the championship game to claim the title.

They never gave up. They came here today to play. I've been telling them all year long, we play Jonesville softball, said Jonesville coach Chelsea Wright.

I told them I didnt care what we did this season, [because] a new season starts at districts. They worked hard, they left it all on this field today.

Each team scored a run in the opening inning, before the Vikings took a 2-1 lead with a run in the second.

Jonesville struck for three runs in the top of the third, and three more in the fifth to pad their lead. The Comets stayed sharp defensively, holding Bronson scoreless through the remainder of the game.

Koryn Playford was in the pitching circle for the Comets, throwing a complete game while allowing six hits and a walk, allowing only one earned run.

Shes been working hard for me all season. Weve been working on hitting her locations, Wright said.

Thats our biggest thing. We cant be pitching them down the middle. She did a great job tonight working the batters and making them pop up.

At the plate, Playford went 4-for-4 with an RBI. Lauren Mains was 1-for-2 with two RBI, and Payton Back added an RBI.

To reach the championship, Jonesville first had to overcome a stiff test from rival Homer.

After taking a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning, the Comets exploded for eight runs in the top of the seventh and went on to win, 9-1.

Teya Nichols pitched a strong game for Jonesville, allowing a single earned run across six and two-thirds innings. The junior allowed three hits and five walks, but limited the damage with five strikeouts.

Teyas been hurt for the last part of our season. Shes gotten mad at me for not playing her, but I kept telling her I needed her for districts. I needed to have her 100 percent, not 80-90, I needed 100. She gave it all today for me, Wright said.

With Jonesville leading 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, one of the biggest moments of the game was provided by Comet junior Kelsey Magda.

With a Homer runner on base, a ball was hit to deep centerfield. Magda kept the game-tying run from scoring by making a spectacular catch in centerfield.

Kelsey always takes that first step in, but somehow she still manages to track it down, Wright said.

Shes been playing great for us all season in the field. I couldnt ask for anything better out of her right now.

In the top half of the seventh, the Comets loaded the bases for Back, who smacked a grand slam home run over the centerfield wall, sparking Jonesvilles eight-run inning.

Payton has been struggling at the plate, but when shes on, shes on, Wright said.

I just had that feeling that something was going to happen because she was struggling during the first couple at-bats today. So I knew she was going to get ahold of something.

Back led the offensive effort for Jonesville, going 2for-4 with four RBI. Playford was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Magda had a hit and two RBI.

Also for the Comets, Miranda Masarik had a hit and an RBI, while Samantha Dunn added two hits.

Jonesville now turns its attention to Regional 20 at Napoleon this upcoming Saturday. The Comets will square off with Saranac in the semifinals.

Weve just got to keep working hard, Wright said. Well leave it all on the field.

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Lady Comets top Bronson, win district - The Hillsdale Daily News

For the second consecutive game, the Lady Comets scored a goal in the last few seconds of the game. This time, however, it was the icing on the cake, rather than the games only goal as it was Thursday.

The Comets put early and consistent pressure on the Lawton defense in the first half. They almost put one in 3 minutes into the game off a corner kick, but the Lawton keeper made a nice save. With 24 minutes remaining in the half, the Comets passed the ball around nicely and missed a shot a few feet wider right.

A minute later, however, Haley Balkema scored off a Lawton turnover to give the Comets the 1-0 advantage. Two minutes later, Lawton had a turnover at the midfield and the Comets turned it into a 3 on 1 and Kayla Beebe finished the play to extend the lead to 2-0. The Lawton keeper made a great save a few minutes later to prevent 3 quick goals. The keeper made several other nice saves to keep the game 2-0. Beebe scored her second goal, this time from just inside the 18, with just over a minute remaining when Sarah Miller forced another Lawton turnover.

The Lady Comets continued to maintain possession of the ball for large portions of the second half. Kayla Beebe completed a hat trick with a penalty kick with 17 minutes remaining. The Comets finished the scoring with an own goal from Lawton off of a beautiful corner from Meagan Laaksonen with 12 seconds remaining to end the game at 5-0.

The Lady Comets improve to 18-2-2 overall. They advance to the regional semi-finals Tuesday at 5:00 at Kalamazoo College against Grand Rapids Covenant Christian.

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Kalamazoo Christian Lady Comets Win 7th Consecutive Soccer District Title - MLive.com

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CHRISTOPHER DOLAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Crestwood freshman Anthony Caporuscio (17) passes the ball as Lansdale Catholics Pat Burnham defends during Saturdays state quarterfinal game at Emmaus High School. Caporuscio scored five goals in Crestwoods 12-9 loss.

CHRISTOPHER DOLAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Crestwood attacker Zach Anderson (13) sends the ball over Lansdale Catholics Seamus Horan for a goal during their PIAA Class AA boys lacrosse quarterfinal game Saturday.

EMMAUS The Crestwood boys lacrosse team is always looking to learn something when it takes the field.

Saturday, the Comets discovered that they can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in Pennsylvania even though they are still a relative newcomer to the sport.

Making their first-ever appearance in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals, the Comets gave perennial power Lansdale Catholic all it could handle before the Crusaders pulled away late for a 12-9 victory.

The win propelled Lansdale Catholic (17-5) into the state semifinals opposite Springfield, which also won 12-9 in its Saturday quarterfinal against Allentown Central Catholic.

Crestwoods season just its seventh in school history ended with its deepest playoff run yet.

Weve had a hard season with a lot of really good teams up in District 2. Thats what helps prepare us, and it would have prepared anybody that was in our shoes to come down here and start to run with some of the best teams in the state, Comets head coach Brian Zabroski said. These teams that are from the Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia area, they have a long history of lacrosse. With us its still somewhat new to our group.

But to come down here and be in the game 10-9 with a few minutes left, were running with them. Were real proud of that.

The District 12 champion Crusaders opened the contest with a flurry, knocking in three goals during the games first three minutes to put the Comets on their heels. Ryan Flanegan scored two of the goals and Nick Heiler added the third.

The District 2 champs were hardly fazed. The Comets answered at the 6:04 mark of the opening quarter when Owen Grigas crossed in front of the net and buried a one-timer to put his team on the board. Then, with 39 seconds remaining in the quarter, freshman Anthony Caporuscio took a Matt Tirpak feed and sent it home for the first of his game-high five goals, cutting the deficit to 3-2 after 12 minutes.

After killing off a three-minute penalty, Lansdale Catholics Joe Walsh scored unassisted to make it 4-2 three minutes into the second quarter. But Caporuscio and Tirpak again teamed up for Crestwood just 11 seconds later, and two minutes after that Caporuscio weaved his way through traffic and scored again to knot the game at 4-4 midway through the period.

We were down a quick three goals, but that goes to the guys for having a lot of heart, Zabroski said.

Kyle Richards gave the Comets their first lead (5-4) with an unassisted tally, only to see the Crusaders run off three more goals in a span of 90 seconds to go back on top 7-5. Grigas capped the first-half scoring by bouncing one in off the turf following a Caporuscio pass to slice the Lansdale Catholic lead to 7-6 at intermission.

Caporuscios fourth goal 24 seconds into the second half was a thing of beauty, as he went behind his back to score a backhand goal and pull the Comets even at 7-7.

Anthony is an experienced player, hes dynamic, Zabroski said. He never stays still and hes creative with the ball, and that makes him a very hard player to defend.

Later in the period, Zachary Anderson and Caporuscio scored back-to-back goals, the latter with 2:07 remaining, giving the Comets their final lead at 9-8.

However, a crosscheck penalty gave the Crusaders a power play opportunity, and they took advantage as Michael Basilli scored to tie the game (9-9) for the fifth and final time.

Flanegan put the Crusaders on top to stay at 8:39 of the fourth, scoring an unassisted goal to make it 10-9. While the Comets had several scoring chances in the fourth quarter, they were unable to convert.

After getting a turnover with 1:07 to play, Crestwood had the ball back. However, a Flanegan steal led to a breakaway for Grady Kelly, whose goal with 38 seconds left all but clinched the victory.

It was awesome, Kelly said. Our middies and defense did a good job on the ground ball and Ryan Flanegan had his head up and all I had to do was put the ball away with a one-on-one.

Seconds later, the Crusaders won the faceoff and Basilli scored unassisted to complete the hard-fought win.

It was two great teams in the quarterfinals of states. Probably this was our best game of the year, the hardest fought, Kelly said. They came out and competed the entire game right to the last minute. When we came in we knew it was going to be a close game like this. We knew it was going to come down to the wire, but we always felt we were going to pull it out.

The loss marked the end of the Comets 13-8 campaign, one that included their second district championship and a state playoff win over District 4 champ Lewisburg.

Were always developing. Being able to get this far, this deep into the playoffs shows that the guys have a good firm commitment on working hard and trying to learn the game, Zabroski said. Lansdale Catholic is one of the best teams in the state, and here we are hanging around and on June 3, were still playing lacrosse. Theres only eight other teams in Double-A still playing right now, and were one of them, so were real proud of that.

With several underclassmen returning next season, Crestwoods program is on firm ground heading into season No. 8.

The future looks bright, Zabroski said. Were always developing, weve got a lot of new players out here. The next couple of years were just going to continue to work and play the good games. Were going to win some, were going to lose some, but we try to learn something from every game and were going to learn a lot from this game, and take that into next season hopefully.

Crestwood goals: Anthony Caporuscio (5), Owen Grigas (2), Kyle Richards, Zachary Anderson.

Crestwood assists: Matt Tirpak (2), Kyle Richards, Anthony Caporuscio, Wyatt Malia.

Crestwood saves: Reed Karaska (11).

Lansdale Catholic goals: Ryan Flanegan (4), Joe Walsh (3), Nick Heiler (2), Michael Basilli (2), Grady Kelly.

Lansdale Catholic assists: Grady Kelly (2), Joe Walsh, Michael Basilli, Ryan Flanegan.

Lansdale Catholic assists: Seamus Horan (10).

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Comets fall to Lansdale Catholic in state quarterfinals - Standard Speaker

Ben Birnell

A former Utica Comets broadcaster has earned a call up to the National Hockey League.

Alex Faust, who served as the Comets' radio broadcaster while filling in for then-announcer Brendan Burke during parts of the team's first three seasons, was named the Los Angles Kings' television play-by-play announcer Thursday.

Faust is the second broadcaster with ties to the Comets to reach the NHL. Burke was the main Comets' broadcaster for the first three seasons until last August when he took the role as MSG Network's television play-by-play role for the New York Islanders. The current Comets broadcaster is Andy Zilch, who called each game during the 2016-17 season.

Faust called various Comets' games from 2013 to 2015, including the team's first game. Faust also served as a reporter for 2015 American Hockey League's All-Star Game in Utica, and did play-by-play for a few games during the team's run to the Calder Cup finals in 2015. Faust has also worked as hockey broadcaster for games on NBCSN, NESN and Westwood One Radio.

The 28-year-old New York City native takes over for Bob Miller, who retired in April after calling Kings games for more than 40 years. The team agreed to a multi-year contract with Faust, according to a news release.

"It is an incredible honor to join the LA Kings as their next play-by-play broadcaster," Faust said in the release. "The Kings have set a standard for excellence on and off the ice and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve fans in this role. I can't wait to work with Jim Fox and the entire FOX Sports West and Kings broadcast crew on the whole.

"With all that in mind, it is a true privilege to be following a legend like Bob Miller. Bob is still very much the 'Voice of the Kings,' and his legacy goes well beyond the booth: He built a rapport with Kings fans not only on-the-air but away from the rink, helping grow the sport of hockey in Los Angeles through active involvement in the community. My goal is to bring the same class and professionalism to work each day, especially as I get to know Kings fans over the coming weeks, months and years."

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Former Comets broadcaster Faust lands Kings gig - Utica Observer Dispatch

Winning baseball games for his Halifax County High School teammates is becoming something of a habit for senior leftfielder Josh Barker.

For the second game in a row Barker came up with a clutch hit to give the Comets a win, this time with a single through the middle of the infield in the bottom of the 12th inning to score teammate Tyler Duffer to give the Comets a 2-1 win over North Stafford High School Wednesday night at Halifax County High School in a semi-final round of game of the 5A North Region Tournament.

I got a good pitch to hit, Barker said with a huge smile.

I just made contact and drove the ball. I got a fastball. Thats what I wanted to hit. I went up to the (batters) box looking for a fastball to drive.

While Barkers hit in the bottom of the 12th inning was big in the Comets win, his defensive play in the outfield came up big as well. The Comets senior made a diving catch of a difficult-to-handle fly ball to get the first out in the top of the 11th inning.

Later, with the bases loaded with North Stafford High School runners, Barker made a spectacular running catch against the fence of a towering fly ball to get the Comets out of the inning.

I had to run in pretty hard to catch it, Barker remarked, but I made the play. On the second one, I caught the ball, turned around and hit the fence.

The win gives the Comets a berth in next weeks VHSL 5A State Tournament and sends the Comets on the road to Ashburn, Virginia for Friday nights 5A North Region Tournament championship game against Briar Woods High School. Game time is 6 p.m.

This marks the first time since the 2011 season that a Comets baseball team will compete in the VHSL 5A State Tournament.

Wednesday nights win was the 20th victory of the season for the Comets who improved their record to 20-2 with the win. This season marks the third time in four years that a Comets baseball team has reached the semi-final round of the 5A North Region Tournament.

Its almost unbelievable, Comets Head Coach Kenneth Day said of the win.

We just trust our kids to play for us and come through for us. Josh had great at-bats all game. We were counting on him to do it. We made the right plays when we needed to make the right plays, and our pitchers have done well year. We just continue to put faith in our pitchers.

Comets senior hurler Andrew Abbott, making his final start in front of his hometown Comets fans, struck out 15 Wolverine batters including eight of the first nine batters he faced in the game, and yielded four scattered hits and one run in his seven innings of work.

I felt really good tonight, Abbott said.

I was definitely pumped up. I knew this was a big game and that the guys were counting on me to go out there and throw strikes. We got hitting when we needed it and the defense was playing well behind me.

Drew Harlow followed, fanning six batters and allowing seven scattered hits in his four and two thirds innings on the mound. Carlton Redd went to the mound in relief of Harlow in the top of the 12th inning and faced one batter.

North Stafford High School took the early lead at 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning, which started with a single by Elliot Blake. Justin Cherry reached base on a Comets error and a double by Dawson Sims scored Blake to give North Stafford High School the early lead.

The Comets tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning when Harlow walked with one out, moved to second base on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Brayden Moore to make the score 1-1.

For the next six and a half innings the game remained scoreless, with the Comets turning back possible scoring threats when the Wolverines had two runners on base with just one out in the top of the 11th inning and had the bases loaded with two out in the top of the 12th inning.

The Comets threatened to end the game in the bottom of the 10th inning when Eric Brandon, running for Holt Powell who had opened the inning with a hit, attempted to score on a hit by Barker. Brandon was tagged out at the plate by North Stafford High School catcher Kevin Ledford after taking a throw from rightfielder Samari Broven, ending the inning.

Halifax County High School had seven hits in the game, with Barker leading the team with two hits. Abbott, Clay Lloyd, Duffer, Powell and Moore had a hit each.

The Wolverines had 11 hits in the game with Sims leading the team with three hits. Blake, Ledford and Vince Munoz had two hits each. Logan Sanders and David Miller had one hit each.

Continued here:

Comets top North Stafford HS 2-1 in 12 innings; punch ticket to state ... - YourGV.com

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic Photo: C-Sports Pics

The 3-0 Samsung Frankfurt Universe will take on the Allgu Comets(1-3) Saturday in the second game of a home and home series. Frankfurt won the first game 48-7.

The Universe defeated Allgu in both games in 20116, 10-0 and 32-7.

Frankfurt running back Silas Nacita had an outstanding day last week carrying the ball 11 times for 126 yards and a touchdown while also catching five passes for 92 yards and two more touchdowns. In fact, Nacita is averaging 121 yards a game so far this season. Quarterback Sonny Weishaupt completed 13 of 17 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns. New import quarterback Daniel Collins saw limited action but still threw two touchdown passes.

Comets quarterback Cedric Townsend had a dismal afternoon and was sacked four times en route to a 90 yard passing game.In order for the Comets to turn this around this week, Townsend needs better protection. Still and all, receiver Christian Hafels was a bright spot catching 12 passes for 136 yards from both Townsend and backup quarterback Dario Dobrolevski.

Watch for the linebackers duel though. Comets linebacker Niall Padden (#43) is the second leading tackler in Germany this year averaging 10 tackles a game while his counterpart for Frankfurt, DustinIlletschko (#43) is making an average of 7.7 tackles per game.

The two top LBs were neck and neck in 2016

The dilemma for the Universe of course in easily winning the first game in a back-to-back series is how do you prepare? The Comets will definitely try something different while Frankfurt will not change what works.

Universe wider receiver David Gironwho caught a touchdown pass last week againstAllgu:

We try to look at it as new game and new team. They are a good team with good coaches. Last game wasnt the best for them but it doesnt mean they wont come to fight. We had to go back to film see where we can get better. Last game we made a lot of mistakes early in the game, so we need to eliminate those mistakes. Cant take anyone for granted.

Photo: C-Sportspics

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LIVE STREAM PPV: Germany - Samsung Frankfurt Universe v ... - American Football International

HUXLEY The BCLUW softball team bowed twice to opponents at the Ballard Tournament on Saturday, splitting their weekend trip with losses to the host Bombers as well as Class 4A No. 11 Boone.

Ballard beat the Comets 10-0 in five innings in BCLUWs first game on Saturday, scoring in each of its four at-bats. The Comets (7-4) couldnt match that, collecting just four hits, while committing five errors on defense.

Jordyn Beeghly, Easton Swanson, Sara Sharp and Leah Yantis each had singles in the loss.

In the second game, Boone fell behind 2-0 before scoring 13 unanswered runs. The Toreadors (7-3) tallied eight runs in the top of the fifth to put the game out of reach.

BCLUWs early 2-0 lead started with a leadoff single for Yantis. Her pinch-runner Parker Scurr moved up on Jenna Willetts bunt single and scored on Samantha Ubbens sacrifice bunt. Willett eventually scored on a passed ball, but that was all the damage the Comets could do offensively.

BCLUW finished with only those two hits, while Boone racked up 12, including a home run for Lauren Calkins.

Lauren Anderson got the pitching loss in the opener, while Ubben was saddled with defeat in the second game.

BCLUW returns to action Monday with a road game at 1A No. 12 AGWSR in NICLWest Division play.

GILBERT Kallie Malloy tossed a three-hit shutout in the first win and 6 1/3 innings of one-hit relief in the ...

HOUSTON Cole Bedford hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning, Corbin Martin struck out nine in seven innings ...

The Marshalltown High School athletics fundraiser golf outing will be held June 13 at the American Legion Memorial ...

HOUSTON Mitchell Boe, Iowas No. 9 hitter, had a pair of run-scoring hits and the Hawkeyes knocked off ...

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Comets fall twice at Ballard tourney - Marshalltown Times Republican

By Toby Thorpe

for the SNAP

The North Stanly baseball team, facing elimination in the second game of the NCHSAA 1A Western Regional Series, routed the visiting Murphy Bulldogs 12-2 on Friday night at Joe D. Kelly Stadium.

Senior captain Will Moore earned the win with a complete game performance, shortened to five innings via mercy rule. He allowed only four hits, three of which came in a rocky first inning.

Over the final four frames, Moore gave up only one hit and one walk, while striking out four.

Murphy jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first. After the first two Bulldogs were retired on a flyout and a groundout respectively, Joey Curry singled, then scored when Royce Peterson followed with a double.

Starting pitcher Caleb Irwin then gave himself a two-run cushion when he singled in Peterson.

Coming to bat in the bottom of the first, North immediately showed the offensive firepower that has propelled the Comets into the states final four 1A teams.

Kolby Lamp worked Irwin for a walk, then moved to third on a double by Carson Lowder. Holden Davis tied the game with a single to left, and advanced to second on the throw home. Moore singled Davis to third, bringing Jordan Howard to bat.

Davis then scored on a wild pitch, with Moore advancing to second. Howard then coaxed a walk from Irwin, and Cobb Russell followed with a double, scoring Moore.

Down five runs with no outs, Murphy coach Adam Clonts sought to stop the bleeding by bringing starting designated hitter Travis Seabolt to the mound. Seabolt appeared up to the task as he produced a groundout and a strikeout from the first two hitters he faced.

Jacob Clayton stepped to the plate with two outs, and on a 2-2 pitch his bat tipped the catchers mitt as he delivered an apparent single, scoring Russell.

However, a balk had been called on Seabolt just prior to the pitch and the subsequent catcher obstruction violation.

As a result, Russell scored on the balk, but Clayton was returned to the batters box since the catcher obstruction occurred after the ball had become dead on the balk. Clayton eventually walked, but was cut down attempting to steal second, and the Comets took the field for the second inning up 6-2.

The Bulldogs stranded their only baserunner in the second inning.

With the top of the order up again for the bottom of the second, the Comets tallied twice more.

Lamp walked and went to third on a single to right by Lowder. Davis was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Moore hit a grounder to third, forcing Lamp at the plate, and beating the throw to first by an eyelash. Howard then delivered a two-run single, but was cut down at second attempting to stretch the hit for an extra base. Russell grounded to the mound and North was up 8-2 after two innings.

After two quick outs, Moore allowed a hit to Peterson, but got a popup from Irwin for the final out.

In the bottom of the third, the Comet offense remained hot and received some assistance from the Bulldogs as well. Hunter Sells led off with a single, but was forced at second on a grounder by Garrett Clark.

After Clayton flew out to left, Lamp ripped a line drive off the left field fence to score Clark, then moved to third on a Lowder single.

Seabolt then balked, failing to come set before delivering to the plate, bringing Lamp home and advancing Lowder to second.

Davis ripped a double to score Lowder, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Seabolts second balk of the inning. Moore reached on another catcher obstruction call, but Howard fanned to end the inning with the Comets up 12-2.

After a pop out to start the fourth, Murphy placed runners on first and second when Lamp and Lowder committed back-to-back errors. Moore then fanned Colton Posey and got a fly out from Luke Garrett to quell the threat.

The Comets posted their only offensive goose egg in the bottom of the fourth, despite an infield single by Garrett Clark and a walk by Clayton.

Needing to keep Murphy scoreless to end the game and send the series back to Murphy, Moore showed his first signs of fatigue as he walked Bulldog Jeremiah Clark on four pitches. Curry then hit a bullet to Comet third baseman Rhett Lowder, who knocked the ball down and fired to second to force Clark. Peterson followed with a grounder to short to force Curry, after which Moore ended the game by striking out Irwin.

Asked if the team had a different mindset for this game as opposed to Thursdays contest, Comet coach Will Davis said, We just decided to go out there and have fun. We had nothing to lose.

Carson Lowder, who led the Comet offense with a three-for-three performance, echoed Daviss sentiments on the situation.

We just thought, hey, were down a game, lets just swing the bats and see what happens. I got two fastballs and a curve ball, and was able to hit each of them hard.

In gaining his second playoff victory, Moores approach on the mound was simple and effective.

I wanted to keep the ball low, get ahead in the count, and let my defense work behind me, he said.

My goal was to try to keep my pitch count down to 15 or so per inning so I could go the whole game if I needed to.

In addition to Lowders perfect night, Davis was two-for-three for the Comets. Peterson was the only Bulldog with multiple hits, going two-for-three with one RBI.

Irwin sustained the loss, giving up six runs, four hits and two walks. Seabolt pitched 3.2 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits and three walks.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News &Press.

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Comets dominate Game 2 | Sports | thesnaponline.com - Stanly News & Press

It has been six years since a Halifax County High School baseball team last played in a 5A North Region Tournament championship game, but the Comets have that opportunity Friday night.

Halifax County High School will travel to Ashburn Friday to face Briar Woods High School in the championship game of the 5A North Region Tournament. Game time is 6 p.m.

Both teams have punched their respective ticket to next weeks VHSL 5A State Tournament. The Comets advanced with a 2-1 win over North Stafford High School in a 12-inning thriller Wednesday night at Halifax County High School. The Falcons punched their ticket to the state tournament Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over Potomac High School.

While the Comets are assured of a berth in next weeks state tournament regardless of the outcome of Friday nights game against the Falcons, Comets Head Coach Kenneth Day says his team is not going to take things easy in its quest to win the region championship.

Were going to go at it to win it, Day said.

You want to get every piece of gold that you can get along the way because you dont know if youre ever going to get back there again. Weve just got to get after them.

Were going to play a little relaxed, and were going to play the following week no matter what, added Day.

But, were going to do our best to try to bring something good home to this county.

With Wednesday nights win over North Stafford High School in a marathon game that went 12 innings, the Comets did something few Comets baseball teams have done hit the 20 win mark. The Comets 20-2 record, Day says, is a testament to the players.

These kids are just good baseball players, Day remarked.

Thats all there is to it. Every one of them is a good baseball player.

These kids have really worked hard and have done what weve asked them to do, Day continued.

They have really risen up to the occasion and made a lot of plays for us. Weve had a lot of distractions during the season. We just try to keep the guys focused on continuing to move on.

The Comets have handled the pressure of post-season play well, surviving two pressure-cooker games of 11 innings and 12 innings to advance to the state tournament and to Fridays 5A North Region Tournament championship game.

We just try to stay relaxed and stay focused, Day pointed out.

Thats all were trying to do. I tell the guys to just have fun and enjoy the moment and see what happens. You never know whats going to happen.

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Comets face Briar Woods for region title | Prep Sports | yourgv.com - YourGV.com