The very latest Fauquier County sports and recreation news ... in brief

Thursday, May. 17 | 2:11 AM

Highland advances to softball state semifinals with walk-off win

The Highland Hawks beat Peninsula Catholic, 7-6, in the quarterfinals of the VISAA Division II softball tournament Wednesday at home in Warrenton by scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Hawks (14-5) advanced to play in the semifinals Thursday at 1 p.m. in Petersburg against the winner of a quarterfinals game between Greenbrier Christian Academy and Hampton Roads Academy. Highland trailed Peninsula, 6-5, entering the bottom of the seventh, but Jess Simpson led off with a double and she scored the tying run on an RBI-double by Libby Brown. Jessica Shaw then reached base on a dropped third strike, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball and scored the winning run with two outs on another passed ball. Shaw scored twice in the game and, as Highland’s pitcher, got the win with seven strikeouts. Lauren Frye and Laura Caperton each went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Thursday, May. 17 | 2:08 AM

Fauquier beats Brentsville, qualifies for Region II girls lacrosse tourney

The Fauquier Falcons qualified for the Region II girls lacrosse tournament Wednesday by beating the Brentsville Tigers, 19-12, during the semifinals of the Evergreen District tournament on the road in Nokesville. According to their seeds, the No. 3 Falcons pulled an upset by beating the No. 2 Tigers. However, Fauquier was the only district team Brentsville hadn’t beaten during the regular season. The Falcons defeated Brentsville in overtime April 12, 16-14, and in double overtime April 30, 17-16. By losing to Fauquier again Wednesday, the Tigers’ season ended with a 10-5 record (9-3 district regular season), while the Falcons improved to 9-6 (7-4). Fauquier also advanced to play Culpeper in the district championship game 7 p.m. Thursday at Culpeper. “I’m excited,” Falcons senior Claire Spector said. “Culpeper usually isn’t on par with the rest of us [in the district], but this year they’re doing really, really well.” Brentsville coach Elizabeth Walsh said, “If this team shows up for Fauquier” like it did Wednesday, “I think they have a really good chance of beating Culpeper.” Against Brentsville, Fauquier took a 3-1 lead to open the game, the Tigers went on a 5-0 run to take a 6-3 lead, and then the Falcons finished the first half on an 8-1 run to build a 10-7 advantage. Spector and Juliette Ruland led the Falcons with six goals each, while seven others scored one goal each: Allie White, Savanah Markell, Carlye Marchesani, Katie Labranche, Ashleigh Croushore, Kaitlyn Butland and Emma Spector. Ruland and Markell also each had two assists. Rachel Wall scored three goals for Brentsville, while Sam Reedy scored two. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Wednesday, May. 16 | 12:04 PM

Fauquier beats Kettle Run to win boys tennis district title

It took an extra match, but the Fauquier Falcons finally won the boys tennis Evergreen District regular season championship Tuesday. Fauquier beat the Kettle Run Cougars, 5-2, in a tiebreaker match on the neutral courts at Liberty to claim the title after both teams finished district play in a tie for first with 7-1 records. Fauquier (14-2 overall) gave the Cougars (9-5) their only Evergreen loss March 26, 6-3, while Kettle Run gave the Falcons their only Evergreen loss April 25, 6-3. On Wednesday, Fauquier won the No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 singles matches and then clinched the championship when its No. 1 team doubles team of Nicholas Solhjou and Jon Simpson beat Kettle Run’s Chase Rathbone and James Rummel, 10-5. The No. 2 and 3 doubles matches were not played. In singles action for Fauquier, No. 1 Solhjou beat Rathbone, 10-7, No. 2 Simpson defeated Rummell, 10-5, No. 3 Josh Turner topped Brendan Adamec, 10-4, and No. 4 Colin Burgin beat Ben Moon, 10-4. Winning singles matches for the Cougars were No. 5 Nick Meding, 11-10(7-3), over Jacob Evans, and No. 6 Ryan Powell (10-1) over Kaleb Scott. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tuesday, May. 15 | 11:04 PM

Wakefield’s Byers scores 3 goals in girls soccer state quarters win

Isabelle Byers scored all of the Wakefield Owls’ goals Tuesday to lead them to a 3-2 victory over Denbigh Baptist Christian during the quarterfinals of the VISAA Division II girls soccer state tournament on the road in Newport News. The senior center midfielder scored the decisive goal for the fifth-seeded Owls (9-5-3) 16 minutes into the second half. She scored on a penalty kick after Mariah Fairfield was fouled in the 18-yard box. That goal gave Wakefield a 3-0 lead, which allowed it to weather a final push by No. 4 Denbigh, which scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the match. Byers gave the Owls a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute of the first half when she rebounded a shot by eighth-grade forward Maddie Dale and knocked the ball past the Denbigh’s goalkeeper. Byers scored again less than three minutes before halftime on another assist from Dale. Lauren Durholder scored Denbigh’s first goal in the 80th minute and Maddie Strickland rounded out the scoring with a goal in the 85th minute. Wakefield will next play in the state semifinals against the winner of a quarterfinals match between No. 1 Eastern Mennonite and No. 8 Seton. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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Tuesday, May. 15 | 7:56 PM

Highland beats Norfolk Collegiate, advances to girls lax state semis

The Highland Hawks beat Norfolk Collegiate, 20-8, Tuesday during the quarterfinals of the VISAA Division II girls lacrosse state tournament at home in Warrenton. The third-seeded Hawks (11-5) will next play in the semifinals Friday at Old Dominion University. Against No. 6 Norfolk Collegiate, Hannah Smith scored five goals, while Jennifer Hoerner and Mackenzie Walker had four each. Jessica Crew had two goals, while scoring one goal each were Izzy Sirianni, Sophia Sirianni, Kendall Mayer, Hayden Garrett and Martine Hoynes. Smith added four assists and 10 draw controls, while Hoerner had four assists and six ground balls, and Izzy Sirianni had three assists. Goalie Emma Walsh finished with nine saves. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tuesday, May. 15 | 5:52 PM

Fauquier wins boys and girls championships at district track meet

The Fauquier Falcons won the boys and girls championships at the Evergreen District track and field meet Saturday at home in Warrenton. The Fauquier girls won with 194 points to Warren County’s 102, Liberty’s 80, Brentsville’s 75 and Kettle Run’s 62. The Fauquier boys won with 186 points to Brentsville’s 163.5, Kettle Run’s 64, Liberty’s 53 and Warren County’s 51.5. Marissa McGinty and Thomas White led the Falcons by each winning three individual events. McGinty won the girls pole vault (10 feet), the triple jump (33 feet, 1 inch) and the long jump (15-9.5), while White won the boys 100-meter dash (11.3 seconds), the 200 (22.7) and the 400 (49.58). Also winning for Fauquier were Shantel Jones in the 100 (12.63 seconds) and 100 hurdles (15.47), Grant Holmes in the pole vault (14-0) and triple jump (41-4), Luca Carillo in the discus (143-4) and shot put (51-10.25), Alexis Byrnes in the discus (110-9) and shot put (37-11) Briana Hill in the 200 (26.1) and Danyelle McDaniel in the 400 in (59.77). Fauquier’s girls 400 relay team (McDaniel, Hill, Diamond Robinson, Jones won in 50.35 seconds, while its girls 3,200 relay team (Helena Wojcik, Maeve St. Ledger, Cindy Cox, Miceile Barrett) won in 10:29.81 and its boys 1,600 relay team (Ed Delavergne, Frank Delzvergne, J.P. Rodriguez, Noah Stevens) won in 3:33.08. Liberty’s winners were Erin Morant in the high jump (4-10), Anthony Budd in the 300 hurdles (41.17) and Taylor Brown, Mackenzie Earl, Rosie Mortan and Alexis Spagnoletti in the 1,600 relay (4:19.57). Kettle Run’s Jason Crosby, Julian Drakeford, Carlos Vegerano and Josh Tapscott won the 400 relay (44.42). Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Monday, May. 14 | 2:12 PM

Kohler’s four goals lead Fauquier girls soccer over Warren County

The Fauquier Falcons rebounded from consecutive losses to beat the Warren County girls soccer team, 7-1, Friday at home in Warrenton. Fauquier (11-3-1 overall, 4-3 Evergreen District) scored twice in the opening four minutes and led 3-0 at halftime. Caity Ashley scored the Falcons first goal of the match and finished with two goals, while Julie Kohler scored the second and finished with four goals and one assist. Elizabeth Domann scored Fauquier’s other goal, while Hayley Dodds and Rachel Dorsey had two assists each. Previously, the Falcons lost to Brentsville, 2-1, Thursday on the road in Nokesville. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead near the end of the first half when Skylar Dowell scored with a header off a corner kick. Brentsville took a 2-0 lead early in the second half on a penalty kick awarded after an illegal touch in the 18-yard box. Fauquier responded with five minutes remaining in the match when Ashley gathered a through ball from Dodds and dribbled in to beat the Brentsville goalkeeper. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Saturday, May. 12 | 11:55 AM

Highland’s Frye, Shaw, Williams take top DAC softball honors

The Highland Hawks swept top honors in the Delaney Athletic Conference awards with junior Lauren Frye named the Player of the Year, junior Jessica Shaw named Pitcher of the Year and Jerry Williams named Coach of the Year. Making the all-DAC first team along with Frye and Shaw were junior Libby Brown, senior Peggy Day and senior Laura Caperton. Making the second team were sophomore Shelby Thornhill, freshman Jessica Simpson and junior Mackenzie Ross. The 13-5 Hawks went undefeated in DAC play again this season en route to winning the regular season and tournament championships. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Saturday, May. 12 | 11:36 AM

Fauquier softball improves to 17-2 with win over Warren County

The Fauquier Falcons scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning Friday en route to beating the Warren County softball team, 8-5, on the road in Front Royal. Warren County (12-5 overall, 3-4 Evergreen District) out-hit the Falcons (17-2, 7-0), 8-6, but Fauquier took advantage of two errors and two walks in the fifth. Fauquier trailed 2-1 after two innings, but took a 4-2 lead in the top of the third and then fell into a 4-4 tie entering the fifth. Suzie Batson led Fauquier with two RBIs and a run on 1-for-3 hitting, while Justina Augustine went 1-for-2 with two runs and two stolen bases, Rachel Bryan went 1-for-3 with a RBI, run and sacrifice fly, and Sarah Kleinfelter went 1-for-3 with a RBI and run. Kleinfelter also got her 17th victory of the season on the mound by allowing four runs on eight hits and six walks while striking out seven over seven innings. Taylor Longmire had two RBIs for Warren County, while Ariel Asher and Autumn Troxell each had one. Troxell added a stolen base, while Cassie Green hit a triple and Nicole King hit a double. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Friday, May. 11 | 11:02 PM

Highland’s Graham and Williams make all-DAC first team in baseball

Two Highland Hawks were named to the all-Delaney Athletic Conference first team. They are sophomore pitcher and outfielder J.P. Graham and junior first baseman Andrew Williams. Fredericksburg Christian’s Brandon Chenault was named DAC Player of the Year. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Friday, May. 11 | 10:40 PM

Highland softball wins DAC tourney title with 4-3 victory over Seton

In their most closely contested conference softball game this season, the Highland Hawks beat Seton, 4-3, Friday during the Delaney Athletic Conference tournament championship game at home in Warrenton. Pitcher Jessica Shaw got the win for the regular season champion Hawks (13-5 overall) by striking out five and allowing only four hits. Peyton Morris scored two runs on 1-for-2 hitting, while Shelby Thornhill went 1-for-3 with a triple and run scored. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Friday, May. 11 | 12:34 AM

Fauquier clinches Evergreen District regular season softball title

The Fauquier Falcons clinched the Evergreen District regular season softball championship Thursday with a 12-1 victory over the defending champion Brentsville Tigers via 10-run rule at home in Warrenton. Two district games remain on the Falcons’ schedule, but no Evergreen team can overtake Fauquier (16-2 overall). The Falcons took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning and an 8-1 lead in the fourth before Justina Augustine capped the game with a three-run home run to left-center field with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, triggering the 10-run rule. Augustine finished with the home run, a double, four RBIs and three runs on 3-for-4 hitting, while Taylor Fletcher went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBIs and two runs. Rachel Bryan added two RBIs on 1-for-3 hitting, while Annie Glascock went 1-for-2 with two runs and a RBI and Apryl Nalls went 2-for-2 with a RBI, and Ashley Brown went 1-for-1 with two runs. Fauquier pitcher Sara Kleinfelter got the complete-game victory by allowing one earned run on three hits and four walks while striking out three. Megan Avakian had Brentsville’s lone RBI on a double. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Friday, May. 11 | 12:31 AM

Kettle Run win puts pressure on Fauquier in boys tennis district race

The Kettle Run Cougars improved their record to 7-1 in the Evergreen District with an 8-1 victory Thursday over Liberty at home in Nokesville. The Cougars (9-4 overall) now hold a slim lead over the Fauquier Falcons (6-1 district, 11-2 overall) in the district standings. If Fauquier beats Brentsville in its regular season finale Friday, the Cougars and Falcons will need to play a tiebreaker match to determine the Evergreen champion, likely Monday at Liberty. Against Liberty on Thursday, the Cougars won five of six singles matches. No. 2 James Rummel won 10-0, No. 3 Brendan Adamec won 10-1, No. 4 Ben Moon won 10-1, No. 5 Nick Meding won 10-0 and No. 6 Ryan Powell won 10-3. In doubles action, the No. 1 team of Chase Rathbone and Rummel won 10-8, the No. 2 team of Moon and Meding won 10-0 and the No. 3 team of Adamec and Powell won 10-1. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Thursday, May. 10 | 8:55 PM

Smith one of five Highland players on all-DAC girls lacrosse team

Highland Hawks senior midfielder Hannah Smith was recently named the girls lacrosse Player of the Year in the Delaney Athletic Conference. Four other Hawks joined her on the all-DAC first team, including sophomore midfielder Jessica Crew, junior attackman Isabelle Sirianni, freshman goalie Emma Walsh and junior midfielder Jennifer Hoerner. Making the first team for Wakefield were sophomore midfielder Gabby Castano and sophomore goalie Alyssa Ortiz. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Thursday, May. 10 | 8:45 PM

Wakefield teams contending for titles in DAC tournaments

The Wakefield Owls won the Delaney Athletic Conference Division II boys lacrosse tournament championship Thursday with an 11-5 victory over Seton. In girls soccer, the Owls advanced to the DAC tournament title match by beating Seton, 3-0, in the semifinals Thursday. They will play Tandem Friends in the final Saturday at 5 p.m. with a berth in the VISAA tournament on the line. In boys tennis, Wakefield defeated Highland, 4-3, in the DAC tournament semifinals Thursday. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Thursday, May. 10 | 8:12 PM

Highland advances to championship game of DAC softball tourney

The Highland Hawks beat Foxcroft, 17-2, in the semifinals of the Delaney Athletic Conference softball tournament Thursday at home in Warrenton. The Hawks (12-5) will play Seton in the tournament final Friday at 4 p.m. Against Foxcroft, Lauren Frye went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBIs and two runs, while Libby Brown went 3-for-4 with two triples, a double, three RBIs and two runs. Jessica Shaw added three runs on 2-for-4 hitting, while Shelby Thornhill went 2-for-3 with a triple and three runs. Shaw pitched five innings to get the win by allowing only three hits while striking out six. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Thursday, May. 10 | 8:09 PM

Highland beat Foxcroft for DAC girls lacrosse tourney title

The Highland Hawks won the Delaney Athletic Conference softball tournament championship Thursday by beating Foxcroft in the final, 17-8, on the road. Mackenzie Walker led Highland with four goals and Jessica Crew had three, while Hannah Smith had five assists, two goals and 13 ball controls. Izzy Sirianni added four assists and two goals, while Sophia Sirianni had two goals and an assist, Kalia Batista had two goals, and Kendall Mayer had two assists and one goal. Goalie Emma Walsh added 11 saves. Highland (10-5) will begin play in the VISAA Division II state tournament quarterfinals Tuesday, likely as a top-four seed and a host. Follow Jeff on Twitter. – .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)