Getting a second chance after a disappointing game-two loss, the Arlington Storm -Black made the best of the opportunity and won a state championship.

In that second-chance contest, the Arlington team defeated the Peachtree All-Stars, 6-4, in the championship game of the 9YO state Babe Ruth baseball tournament in Henrico. Storm had previously lost to Peachtree (from the Harrisonburg area) 6-5, in pool-play action, allowing six runs in the first inning.

Overall, Arlington was 4-1 in the eight-team state tournament, going 2-1 in pool play and 2-0 in the playoff round.

Its semifinal playoff victory was over New Kent, 8-3. Arlington downed Glen Allen, 15-5, in first-round pool-play action and blanked Williamsburg, 11-0, in another pool-play tilt. Arlington manager Brian Churney said the Storm Black won the state title with timely hitting and strong defense and pitching.

 "It was really a solid team effort and everyone contributed," Churney said. "If we hit and play clean baseball, we are hard to beat. Plus, this group doesn't get down and the players really get behind each other." Churney explained in that loss to Peachtree, Arlington had just one bad inning, allowing six runs in the first.

In the state final rematch, the Storm Black rallied from a 2-1 deficit after the first inning and led the rest of the way behind 10 hits and no errors. They were ahead 5-2, after three innings. Arlington was charged with making just one error in the tournament.

Kyle Williamson doubled and had three hits and an RBI in the state final, William Healy doubled and had two hits with a sacrifice fly and Nathan Churney had two hits. Single hits went to Toby Lin and Reese Myers, each with an RBI, and Mateo Flores. Reed Kennerly had an RBI. Luke Pascarella was the starting and winning pitcher, working four innings and Myers pitched two shutout and hitless innings in relief, throwing just 15 pitches, to earn the save.

"We made every play we needed to make," Brian Churney said.

In the 8-3 victory over New Kent, Sawyer Tallent had a hit (double) and three RBI. Nathan Churney and Williamson each had two hits and Lin, Kennerly and Myers all had one hit. On the mound, Nathan Churney hurled a six-inning, 70-pitch complete-game four hitter. He allowed one earned run, did not walk a batter and struck out one.

Arlington had 12 hits, struck out just once and scored 10 runs in the first inning against Stafford. Nathan Churney, Flores, Lin and Bruce Calvin all had two hits. Williamson had a hit and three , Tallent, Pascarella and Healy each doubled and  Logan Mikoy had an RBI and scored a run. Pascarella started on the mound and struck out six of the 14 batters he faced. Williamson (three strikeouts) and Lin worked in relief.

Against Williamsburg, Williamson had two hits and four RBI and Bruce and James Dickson each drove in two runs. Dickson was the starting and winning pitcher in four innings of work with seven strikeouts and he allowed two hits. Flores threw one hitless inning in relief.

 "It was a great weekend and it was a tremendous effort," Brian Churney said. By winning the state, the Storm Black advance to the Southeast Region tournament near Charlotte, N.C. "We expect to contend for the title," Churney said.

NOTE: Overall, the Storm Black have a 25-2 record including all tournament action and other single games. The team won a tournament in Winchester prior to the state competition.

Next stop--the Southeast Regional begins July 8 in Statesville, North Carolina. Track the ABR summer teams here.