Monday, May 30, 2005

Attempted Murder Is Charged

Incident Allegedly Occurred January 25 At Friendly Corner

A 22-year-old South Boston man is facing attempted murder charges after being indicted by the Halifax County Grand Jury earlier this month, according to court records.
Travis Tremayne Kirby, of Bane Street, was charged by the grand jury on May 9 with a three-count indictment that includes attempted murder, grand larceny and malicious wounding charges.
Kirby was arrested Friday by Deputy T.N. Bratton.
The indictment was handed down after the alleged victim in the incident, John Giggetts, filed a police report following the January 25 incident.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred at Friendly Corner Grocery on Mountain Road.
According to Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White, the victim in the incident was riding an ATV in the area when he allegedly stopped at the store and went to a soda machine.
White said that two males, including Kirby, approached him and an altercation ensued that allegedly culminated when one of the suspects sat on his chest while the other kicked him in the head and chest.
A spokesman with the commonwealth’s attorneys office said that after the two males assaulted Giggetts, they allegedly dragged the victim into the road where they took his jacket and left the scene.
White said that indictments have been handed down charging the second individual involved in the incident, but the second suspect had not been arrested Friday.
The second individual involved in the incident is expected to be arrested in the near future, White said.
In other police business, Michael Jerome Morris Jr., 21, of Union Church Road in Halifax, was charged with failure to maintain control of his vehicle after an accident early Saturday morning on Route 360, according to the Virginia State Police.
Trooper D.T. Spencer said Morris was traveling along the highway at approximately 4:45 a.m. when his 1992 Mazda ran off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment.
The Mazda suffered an estimated $2,500 in damage in the accident, which occurred approximately 1.5 miles west of Route 57, according to the trooper.

 

 

Trying To Help Stop Hunger

Missionary United Soup Kitchen Celebrates First Anniversary

Hungry men, women and children are eating over 1,000 good meals each month because Pastor Jean Harris saw a need.
It’s modern-day miracle of the loaves and fishes that is “getting bigger and bigger,” according to volunteers.
Tucked into a tiny café at the corner of Watkins and Mineral St., volunteers cook the meals served at the 10-seat Soup Kitchen three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Volunteers also deliver food.
“It takes a lot to come through the door,” she said. “There are a lot of proud spirits.”
She’s also seen tears of gratitude.
“There should not be hunger or people sleeping under bridges,” said Harris. “When I first started, 17 to 19 people would wait for you to open. It was right rough when it first started.
“The more we do the bigger it seems to get. We would like to make it five days (we’re open), but we barely make three days.”
“We’re not even scratching the surface,” said volunteer Carrington Powell. “We’re not in Riverdale, not in Halifax.”
Walk-ins at the mission change, according to Powell. “When they get a job, they don’t come back.
“We need money, help and food,” he added. “The more we get, the more we can cover.”
It’s an early wake-up call, 6 a.m., for some of the volunteers at the Soup Kitchen.
Ronald Wilborne is chief cook at the two-stove kitchen, with help from Powell.
The menu varies.
Beef patties, chicken, spaghetti, hamburgers, hot dogs, soup, collard greens, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes and fruit, the menu depends on what’s available.
The United Virginia Food Bank has been a good source of food for the mission -at 15 cents per pound- but that means a trip to Richmond with a truck.
The Soup Kitchen has also been the beneficiary of good hearts who contribute to the cause.
“But we have a lot of good things happening,” said Powell.
The good news is the mission has been told Halifax Regional Hospital will enter into a partnership and give some food directly to the Soup Kitchen.
There’s also a possibility of help through the Agriculture Department, but no details, according to volunteers.
Funding?
The volunteers are convinced “the Lord sends it,” adding local churches, the Southside Community Services Board and generous souls throughout the community have contributed to the ministry. Volunteers from area churches also pitch in, with about 15 regulars at the Soup Kitchen.
Last week Harris, Wilborne, Powell and volunteers Jermaine Lane, Ronnie Ross and Mamie Link were helping getting ready for the mission’s first anniversary celebration on Saturday.
Link has known Pastor Harris, a South Boston native, since she was a girl.
“She asked me to help and I came down,” recalled Link. “It is a good mission to help someone in need. This could not be better.”
“She is the beginning,” confirmed Harris of her childhood friend’s support.
Wilborne recalled that Harris had been discussing the mission and had asked for volunteers. “It’s history, been doing it ever since,” he added with a smile.
“There are a lot of people in need in the community and I didn’t realize (it) until I got here.”
Ross “came in talking and then I started helping, just doing my part,” he recalled.
Lane saw flyers about the Soup Kitchen last year and called to see if he could help. “I’ve been coming ever since. It seemed like a good program to help stop hunger,” said the South Boston resident.
Powell said he saw an article in the newspaper about the Soup Kitchen opening and came down to see if he could help.”
But the volunteers know there is more ahead.
“A homeless shelter, that’s a dream,” said Harris. “It’s going to be, it’s just a matter of time.”

 

Great Day In Virgilina

Thousands Flock To Summerfest

A crowd estimated in the thousands flocked to the Town of Virgilina for the 23rd Annual Summerfest on Saturday, enjoying a day filled with a variety of music, entertainment, food vendors and plain good old-fashioned socializing.
Summerfest serves as the primary fund-raiser for the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department, and although no official estimate of the amount of money raised was available yesterday, Assistant Chief Chad Loftis said the turnout, both for the parade and Summerfest, were among the largest.
“It was one of the larger crowds I’d ever seen at Summerfest, and I estimate the parade lasted 45 minutes,” said Loftis.
At least 10 fire departments entered trucks in the parade, which also featured a large group of antique and customized cars and trucks. Horseback riders, various floats and local dignitaries, including Grand Marshall Owen Murray, a charter member of the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department, were also parade favorites.
Winner of the best float was the New Attractions band, which also won the first-place award for best band.
The Virginia Department of Forestry float, with Smokey the Bear, was the second-place float, while the 1960 Cadillac with Grand Marshall Murray won top honors as the best car.
The second-place vehicle was a red Mustang Cobra sports car, while a “1204Ó fire truck from Midway Volunteer Fire Department was judged the best appearing fire truck. A fire truck from Creedmoor Fire Department was judged as having traveled the furthest.
Lunch was served promptly at noon following the parade, with barbeque chicken and pork ready later in the day, and judging by how much was sold, it satisfied a lot of appetites, according to Loftis.
“We sold 285 gallons of stew, 325 pounds of pork barbeque and 250 barbeque chicken platters,” said Loftis.
Much of the crowd stayed to wander through a variety of vendors’ booths and listen to the bands throughout the day, before the street dance finished Summerfest for another year.
Steve Smoot won the raffle for the quilt made by Florence Buchanan in memory of Alice Gravitt, while Tommie Watson won the $250 raffle, Hump Newton the $100 raffle, and Ray Adcock the $50 raffle.
Loftis thanked all the sponsors and volunteers who made this Summerfest another success, while giving particular thanks to Henry and Clifton Smith, whose late father, Robert D. Smith, helped provide audio assistance for Summerfest the previous 22 years.
“The music during the day on Saturday was in memory of Robert D. Smith, of Virgilina, who was here for 22 years helping us with the P.A. system,” said Loftis. “I also want to thank his sons, Henry and Clifton, who were here Saturday to help with the music, just a day after their father had passed away.”

 

Obituaries

Evelyn Hall Farmer

Evelyn Hall Farmer, 84, of Vernon Hill died May 26, at The Woodview.
Mrs. Farmer was born in Halifax County on January 7, 1921, the daughter of the late John Edward Hall Sr. and Florence Ingram Hall and was married to the late Maynard Ewell Farmer. She was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church where she was a former deacon.
Survivors include two daughters, Florence F. Gery of Danville and Betty F. Ware of North Wilkesboro, N.C.; one son, James Ewell Farmer of Vernon Hill; three sisters, Jenny Thaxton, Mildred Redd and Joyce Pyle, all of Halifax; one brother, J.E. Hall Sr. of Vernon Hill, 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Elsie Whitfield.
Funeral services were held May 29, at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Wilkins officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Gertrude W. Wilson

Gertrude W. Wilson, 79, of 2240 Bill Tuck Highway, South Boston died May 26, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Wilson was born in Pittsylvania County on September 15, 1925, the daughter of John Wilson and Lottie Waller Wilson, and was married to the late Floyd Wilson Sr. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church and a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Funeral services were held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel May 29, at 2 p.m. with the Revs. Don Bryant and Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial followed in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Wilson include two daughters, Linda W. Crews of Rockville and Deborah Wilson of Atlanta, Ga.; one brother, Carl Wilson of Gretna; four grandsons, Joey Betterton, Duane Wilson, Michael Wilson Jr. and Matthew Wilson; one great-grandson, Caleb Betterton and one great-granddaughter, Rachel Betterton. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Perry Wilson and Michael Wilson Sr.; one sister, Sylvia Throckmorton; and four brothers, Wesley, Jack, Grover and Daniel Wilson.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Southside Baptist Church.

Robert Diah Smith

Funeral services for Mr. Robert Diah Smith will be held at 2 p.m. today, May 30, at the Brooks Funeral Home Chapel.
The Revs. Bill McEntire and Bill LaWall will officiate.
Burial will follow in the North Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Smith died Friday, May 27, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was 74.
Mr. Smith was born in Halifax County on November 5, 1930, the son of the late Obidiah Smith and the late Roxie Ann Pulliam Smith.
He was married to Catherine Hazelwood Smith.
Mr. Smith was a truck driver employed with A.E. Morris Trucking and was a member of the North Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, two sons, Clifton Thomas Smith and wife Mary of Buffalo Junction and Robert Henry Smith and wife Alice, of Virgilina, four daughters, Peggy Ann S. Dickerson and husband Peter and Bonnie S. Williamson and husband John, both of Bullock, N.C., and Cathy S. Keeton and husband Charles Jr., and Doris S. Keeton and husband Allen, all of Nelson, two sisters, Dorothy Hite of Gretna and Margaret Link and husband Bruce of Cluster Springs, two brothers, John Henry Smith and wife Ida and Lawrence Ray Smith and wife Geneva, all of Virgilina, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

 

HCHS Softball Wins WVD Title

Halifax Shuts Out Patrick Henry 7-0 To Advance To Regionals

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Comets varsity softball team has taken a lot in stride this year, so it should come as no surprise that they also reacted to their 7-0 win here Thursday over Patrick Henry in the Western Valley District Tournament Championship game in a workman-like manner.
After the traditional post-game handshake with its opponent, the Comets retreated to right field for its customary talk with coach Melanie Saunders, before being called back to receive its winner’s trophy.
Halifax may have been looking ahead to its next task, a game here today at 5 p.m. against Cardinal District tourney runner-up Garfield in the first round of the Northwest Region Tournament. Admission, as set by the Northwest Region, will be $6.
The Comets achieved their first district championship since 2001 by setting the tone early, scoring two first-inning runs against Patrick Henry, Lashunda Davis smacking an RBI triple and scoring on a passed ball.
Davis finished the game with two triples, a double, three RBI’s and three runs scored, while Tracy Nelson had two base hits and three RBI’s.
The early runs were the key to the win, according to Saunders, who admitted she was wary of the Patriots coming into the game.
“They [Patrick Henry] played hard both times in the regular season and got hits throughout the game both times. Luckily, they didn’t string them together,Ó said Saunders.
“I was quite nervous, because I knew they were a good team, and they beat Franklin County 5-0 in Rocky Mount. That’s a hard place to win a game. But, what helped us we started off with hits in the first inning.
“We got some good swings and hits with people on, and got the bunts down when we needed to in order to advance the runners,Ó she continued.
“Defensively, we were just really solid. Moo (starting pitcher Jessica Morris) did a great job in the first five innings, and Jessie [Lloyd] came in and hit her corners around the plate to close it out for us.
“We played a good all-around game.Ó
The Comets outhit the Patriots by an 8-3 margin, Halifax getting one of those hits at the right time in its first at-bat to make it 2-0, Jasmine Parker drawing a leadoff walk to start the rally.
Amanda Rogers sacrificed Parker to second and Davis slugged an RBI triple, before scoring on a passed ball.
Halifax struck again in the third inning to make it 5-0, Morris helping her own cause with a leadoff single and Parker following with another base hit. Rogers executed her second sacrifice bunt of the game to put runners at second and third, before Davis knocked them both home with her second triple of the game.
Nelson got the fourth Comets hit of the inning to plate Davis for the final run of the inning.
The Comets’ Cari Clark was stranded after a leadoff triple in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Halifax broke through an inning later for its final two runs, leadoff batter Amanda Rogers reaching base after being hit by a pitch.
Davis followed with a double, and Nelson with her second hit of the game, driving in both Rogers and Davis to make it 7-0.
That was more than enough run support for Halifax hurlers Morris and Lloyd, who along with the Comets’ defense, allowed only five Patrick Henry baserunners the entire game.
Morris allowed two hits with six strikeouts in five innings, while Lloyd finished the game, allowing one hit in two innings of relief.
One Patriots’ hit came on a two-out single in the first, two came on a single and fielder’s choice in the fourth, and two came on an error and base hit in the seventh, but Halifax responded with solid defense to keep the shutout intact.
That effort included two big defensive plays by Davis in the top of the sixth inning, including a snag of a soft line drive in short left-center field for the first out. The next Patriots batter hit a sharp grounder up the middle, Davis ranging to her left before gathering the ball and throwing out the runner for out number two.
A routine popup to Davis ended that inning, and Patrick Henry put two aboard with no outs in the top of the seventh, before two flyouts brought Halifax to the brink of a championship.
Comets’ second baseman Rogers scooped up a ground ball and threw to fellow senior Mallory Lawter at first to end the game.
Both Saunders and some of her team were at a loss trying to describe their feelings after the game.
“Yesterday’s game was huge (3-2 win over GW), a tight ball game and we brought that momentum with us here today,Ó said Saunders. “It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten a banner, and it feels just awesome. We’ve worked hard for this all season long.
“I can’t put into words what this means to me, with this group of kids and these seniors. It’s been a long time coming, and no one really expected this team to do it, they thought the team last year would.Ó
The Comets overcame a slow start and the loss of starting pitcher Beth Throckmorton with contributions from the entire team, according to Saunders.
“We fought hard all season after losing Beth, but these pitchers have shown us and everyone else that they could step up and do the job.Ó
Junior right-hander Morris, who pitched a total of 12 innings in the district semifinal and championship game, said her team got a lot of momentum from the close win over arch rival GW, and it carried over into Thursday’s game.
“I’m proud of the way we played as a team and hit the ball, and the defense has been great all season whomever has been pitching,Ó said Morris. “I’m kind of speechless right now.Ó
Davis said winning the championship as a freshman was very special. “I had great support from my coaches and teammates this year, and this championship is great for the seniors.Ó
For Lawter, a senior and stalwart at first base for three years, the realization of a goal she and fellow seniors Rogers, Clark, Nelson, Jessica Lewis, and Lori Reeves have worked toward for three seasons has just begun to sink in.
“It feels like just another win right now,Ó said Lawter, while admitting the team had been looking forward to another regional appearance. “We were looking to go back to the regionals and for our senior year, this couldn’t be better.
“Nobody expected it this year, and getting the championship at home makes it that much more special.Ó

 

 

District Title Slips Away From Comets

Despite Losing To GW 6-5 In The District Tournament Title Game, HCHS Moves On To Day’s Regional Tournament Quarterfinal Game Against Albemarle

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County High School baseball coach Kelvin Davis’ face couldn’t hide the disappointment.
His Comets team had squandered a three-run lead in a tough 6-5 loss in nine innings to archrival GW in Thursday’s Western Valley District Tournament championship at Dan Daniel Park.
Simply put, it was a lost opportunity – a win that slipped out of the Comets’ grasp.
“We were up 5-2 and we just let it go,Ó said Davis.
“We wanted it really bad and we had every opportunity to get it and just didn’t get it. We’re really disappointed in some things. It’s just a pure lack of concentration on our behalf.Ó
The marathon game of three hours and 45 minutes ended suddenly in the bottom of the ninth inning when GW’s John Gregory laced a hit over the head of Comets rightfielder David Lacks with two out to score teammate Cory Moore and give the Eagles the 6-5 win.
Moore reached base on a two-out single, stole second base and scored scampered home on Gregory’s hit to give GW the win and its third Western Valley District Tournament championship in four years.
“This was the type of game we knew it was going to be,Ó said Davis.
“We knew it was going to be tight and emotions were going to be up. Mentally, we just broke concentration. We didn’t concentrate in a couple of situations that we really needed. We’ve got to answer some question somewhere. There are some things we’ve got to work out. We’ve got to do a better job than that.Ó
With the win, GW will host Colonial Forge today in a quarterfinal game of the Northwest Region Tournament. Halifax County, which advances as the district’s number two seed, travels to Charlottesville today to face Albemarle at 6 p.m. in another regional tournament quarterfinal contest.
The Eagles will have the home field edge throughout the Northwest Region Tournament as long as they stay alive, a much coveted prize both teams had sought.
“I’m tickled to death,Ó said GW coach Scooter Dunn.
“These guys battled back and our coaching staff did a heck of a job. We knew what was at stake next week. If we win this tournament, we’re at home. That’s how big this game was.
“Last year we were in the same situation and didn’t get the job done,Ó Dunn added.
“ We laid down flat the last couple of innings of that ballgame (the Western Valley District Tournament title game) last year.Ó
The Comets were victimized by nine passed balls, with GW scoring a run on three of them including the game-tying run in the bottom of the sixth inning,
Halifax County stranded 15 runners on the bags, 14 in the seven innings of regulation play. In addition, GW went a perfect 8-8 in base stealing attempts.
“There were a couple of situations we didn’t manufacture runs,Ó added Davis.
“We just kept them in the ballgame. We just couldn’t put our foot on them. They (GW) kept scrapping. My hat goes off to them. They have a great ballclub. They just kept eating away at us.Ó
The Comets broke on top in the top of the third inning when starting pitcher Jeremy Jeffress walked to lead off the inning and pinch runner Jacob Swillie scored when David Lacks reached base on a GW error with two out.
GW tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a run-scoring hit by Reggie Keen that plated Matt Scarce who reached base when he was hit by a pitch from Jeffress and stole second base.
The Comets took the lead again in the top of the fourth inning when Bobby Owens walked to lead off the inning and scored on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Jeffress. But, GW deadlocked the game at 2-2 with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Moore led off with a hit and scored on a passed ball.
Halifax County took the lead for the third time with three runs in the top of the fifth inning, the first of which came when Willie Stephens, pinch-running for catcher Ryan Gieselman who reached base on a GW error with one out, scored from second base on a passed ball.
A bases-loaded walk that scored Owens gave the Comets a two-run lead. The Comets extended their lead to three runs at 5-2 when Chris Perkins hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Chris Conner.
GW ate away at the Comets’ lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, one of which resulted from a passed ball. The Eagles tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning when pinch runner Herbie Williams scored on a passed ball.
The Comets used two pitchers in the contest with Jeffress, the starter, going five and two thirds innings before being relieved by Owens in the bottom of the sixth inning with two out and two runners on base.
Owens gave up a walk to load the bases but the Comets got out of the inning without damage when GW’s John Watlington popped up a foul ball that Gieselman, the Comets’ catcher snared for the third out of the inning.
He and Moore, who replaced GW starter Rob Whitley with two outs in the fifth inning, battled it out on the mound until Moore singled in the bottom of the ninth inning and scored the game-winning run.
Jeffress allowed five hits and six walks while fanning six batters during his stint on the mound. Owens allowed two hits, two walks and struck out three batters.
“You would hate for either team to lose that ballgame,Ó said Davis.
“Both teams really wanted it. It’s just one of those ballgames where Halifax County and GW knock heads at one another. It’s unfortunate we didn’t take advantage of some things that happened.”

NORTHWEST REGION TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS Baseball Halifax County (17-5) At Albemarle – 6 P.M. Colonial Forge (15-7) At GW Danville Stonewall Jackson (13-10) At C.D. Hylton (15-8) Gar-Field At Osbourn Softball Gar-Field (15-7) At Halifax County (13-5) – Home – 5 P.M. Franklin County (13-3) At C.D. Hylton (18-4) Stonewall Jackson (17-5) At Culpeper Albemarle At Osbourn (22-0) Admission $6 For School-Age Children Through Adults

 

Comets Softball, Baseball Teams Open NW Region Tourney Play Today

The HCHS Girls Softball Team Will Face Gar-Field Here Today At 5 P.M.; Baseball Team Faces Albemarle In Charlottesville Tonight At 6 P.M.

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County High School’s baseball and softball teams will begin play in the Northwest Region Tournament today with the Comets softball team playing here today in their tournament quarterfinal game.
The Western Valley District champion Comets varsity softball team (13-5 overall), will face Gar-Field here today at 5 p.m. at Comets Field in one of four regional quarterfinal games.
Halifax County, the Western Valley District Tournament champion, is the number one seed in the Western Valley District. Gar-Field (15-7 overall) is the number two seed from the Cardinal District.
Meanwhile, the Comets varsity baseball team will hit the road today to travel to Charlottesville where it will face Albemarle High School tonight at 6 p.m.
Admission for the games at both sites will be $6 each for everyone from school age through adults. The admission price was set some time ago by Northwest Region officials.
Halifax County (17-5 overall) enters the Northwest Region Baseball Tournament as the number two seed from the Western Valley District. Albemarle, the top seed in the Commonwealth District, is the Commonwealth District regular-season champion.
Comets coach Kelvin Davis says his team needs to rebound today from its tough loss to GW in the district title game to keep the season going.
“We win, we keep playing,Ó Davis pointed out after Thursday’s loss to GW.
“It’s another pressure situation. We know we’ve got to really play ball from now on.
“We’re still in it,” Davis continued. “The guys are looking forward to it. I know Albemarle has a heck of a good ballclub up there. We’ve just got to get over this (the loss to GW). This really drained a lot out of us and I’m talking about us coaches also.Ó
The Patriots, a former member of the Western Valley District, lost to Colonial Forge 5-4 in 10 innings Thursday in the semifinal round of the Commonwealth District Tournament.
In today’s other quarterfinal matchups in the Northwest Region Baseball Tournament, Western Valley District regular-season and district tournament champion GW (19-2 overall) will host the Colonial Forge Eagles.
Colonial Forge (15-7 overall), defeated top-seeded Albemarle in the semifinals of the Commonwealth District Tournament and defeated fourth-seeded Stafford to win the Commonwealth District tournament title.
Also today, the Cardinal District champion C.D. Hylton Bulldogs (15-8 overall), the Cardinal District tournament champion, will host Stonewall Jackson, the number two seed from the Cedar Run District.
Stonewall Jackson (13-10 overall), the fourth seed from the Cedar Run District, earned the Cedar Run District number two seed by winning the district tournament title.
In the other regional baseball tournament quarterfinal game today, Cedar Run District regular-season champion, Osbourn High School, the top seed of the Cedar Run District, will host Gar-Field, the number two seed from the Cardinal District.
Osbourn lost to Stonewall Jackson 9-1 Thursday in the semifinal round of the Cedar Run District Tournament.
In the Northwest Region Softball Tournament, the two Western Valley District teams are paired with the Cardinal District’s two seeds.
In addition to today’s Gar-Field-Halifax County matchup, Franklin County, the Western Valley District regular-season champion and the district’s number two seed, will go on the road to face the C/D. Hylton Bulldogs, the top seed of the Cardinal District.
Also today, defending state Group AAA state champion Stonewall Jackson (17-5), the number two seed of the Cedar Run District, will go on the road to face Culpeper, the top seed of the Commonwealth District.
Culpeper defeated Albemarle 1-0 Friday to win its third straight Commonwealth District title.
In today’s other matchup in the Northwest Region Softball Tournament, Albemarle, the Commonwealth District’s number two seed, will go on the road to face Osbourn High School, the top seed of the Cedar Run District.
Osbourn, the winner of 22 straight games, is ranked in the top 25 in the nation and sports one of the state’s top pitchers, Cristi Ecks, who has recorded over 300 career strikeouts.
Ecks fanned 18 batters when Osbourn defeated Stonewall Jackson 1-0 in 14 innings Friday night in the Cedar Run District Tournament title game.