Trojans and Falcons Will Battle for Baseball Title on Sunday

PETERSBURG, VA- Both the Virginia State Trojans and Saint Augustine’s Falcons overcame much to earn a berth in the 2003 CIAA Championship Game.

In game one, the Trojans rallied late to overcome an upstart Falcon team 8-7 to become the first squad to qualify for the Finals.

Then, the down but not out Falcons had to battle both the elements and their cross town rival for the second time in as many days to advance with a 13-8 come from behind win.

In game one, the Trojans and Falcons would battle, exchanging runs for the entire contest. The score was 1-0 when the Falcons All-Rookie selection Buck Walker homered in the top of the 2nd inning to tie the contest for the first out of four times. Then with the game knotted at 6 apiece in the top of the 8th, Saint Augustine’s Aaron Chambers scored on a passed ball to give the Falcons a 1-run lead. The Trojans’ PJ Berry answered in the bottom of the 8th with a 2 RBI triple to give VSU (19-16) the lead for good.

To earn their right to Finals competition, The Falcons had to bounce back against the defending champs, whom they had defeated 7-5 on Thursday. Many thought rain might be a factor as the Bears looked to avenge the loss. Unfazed, Shaw scored 5 runs in the top of the 2nd inning to jump out to a 7-1 lead. The Falcons kept their composure scoring 3 runs in the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd and the tying run in the 4th. The Bears broke the tie when James Clay scored on a wild pitch in the top of the 5th but it would be the last time Shaw would cross the plate. Ryan Torrance’s lead off homer in the 5th would tie the game for the final time and the Falcons would add two more runs in the inning. Although they were held scoreless in the 6th, SAC (11-22) added three more runs between the 7th and 8th innings to secure the win.

Due to Friday’s rain and the expectation of more overnight, the Finals have been rescheduled for Sunday, April 27 at Whaley Colbert Field on the campus of Virginia State University at 1:00pm. Since it is a double elimination format, a second game will follow at 4:30 pm if necessary.

Day 3 Results
Virginia State 8, Saint Augustine’s 7 @ VSU
Saint Augustine’s 13, Shaw 8 @VSU

Sunday, April 27, 2003- Finals
#4 Saint Augustine’s Vs. #3 Virginia State 1:00pm @VSU
Game 2 (If Necessary) 4:30pm@VSU