High school Group AAA state tournament advance

GROUP AAA TOURNAMENTS

BASEBALL

Today’s quarterfinals Northwest Region runner-up Battlefield (15-11) vs. Eastern champion Cox (22-5), 6 p.m. at Old Dominion; Eastern runner-up Menchville (23-2) at Northwest champion Stafford (17-6); Central runner-up Deep Run (14-9) at Northern champion West Springfield (21-4); Northern runner-up Lake Braddock (17-5) at Central champion Hanover (22-1).

Coming up Semifinals are 3 and 7 p.m. Friday at Westfield High School in Chantilly; championship is 3 p.m. Saturday at Westfield.

Outlook Cox meets a youthful Battlefield from Haymarket team that often starts six underclassmen. Cox’s 1-2 pitching punch of Richie Salter and Ryan Mattes compiled an ERA below 1.85 during the regular season, and SS Chris Taylor has been a sparkplug at the top of the lineup. Looking for a favorite? Hanover, coming off its first region title since 2005, has the field’s gaudiest record and P/3B Jake Mayers, who’s signed with Richmond. Two other teams in the field have deep pitching: West Springfield, led by duo Mike Kent and Bobby Wahl; and Menchville with Ethan Carter and Austin Chrismon. Carter (South Carolina) last week was named Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year.

– Jami Frankenberry

SOFTBALL

Today’s quarterfinals Northwest Region runner-up Battlefield (23-2) at Eastern champion Great Bridge (21-3), 3 p.m.; Eastern runner-up Tallwood (19-6) at Northwest champion Loudoun Valley (22-4), 5 p.m.; Central runner-up Atlee (14-6) at Northern champion South County (22-0), 7 p.m.; Northern runner-up Centreville (20-6) at Central champion Prince George (20-4), 7 p.m.

Coming up Semifinals are 4 and 7 p.m. Friday at Westfield High School in Chantilly; championship is 2 p.m. Saturday at Westfield.

Outlook Great Bridge faces a formidable foe in last year’s state runner-up, Battlefield from Haymarket. The Bobcats returned seven starters, including pitching ace Brittany Black (22-2), from the team that lost the 2008 final to Hickory 4-1. Black, who’s signed with Austin Peay, anchors a solid lineup, joining catcher Courtney Liddle and first baseman Shannon Cleary. Great Bridge counters with ace lefty Kaitlynn Szczepanski, the Southeastern District Player of the Year and an offense that produced 35 hits and 19 runs in winning the Eastern Region title. Battlefield’s only defeats were to Loudoun Valley, Tallwood’s foe tonight. The Vikings, a 3-2 winner over Battlefield in the Northwest Region championship, rely on the pitching of Caroline Williams and the bats of Ashleigh Miller and Jamie Crisp. Tallwood, a .294 hitting team in the regular season, hopes to rebound offensively after totaling six runs in its last three games. Unbeaten South County from Lorton, with pitching stalwart Chelsey Dunham, and Centreville, paced by Marshall-bound hurler Jessica Ferrick, are prime candidates to make the Final Four.

– Mike Keech

BOYS SOCCER

Today’s quarterfinals Northwest Region runner-up Gar-Field (11-2-5) vs. Eastern champion Cox (18-2-1) at Powhatan Field, 7:30 p.m.; Eastern runner-up Hickory (14-5-1) at Northwest champion Patrick Henry (20-1); Northern runner-up Westfield (14-3) at Central champion Cosby (17-1-1); Central runner-up Mills Godwin (16-2-2) at Northern champion Robinson (15-1-2).

Coming up Semifinals are 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday at Westfield High in Chantilly; championship is 3 p.m. Saturday at Westfield.

Outlook Hickory makes its debut appearance in the state tournament – as does quarterfinal opponent Patrick Henry. The Hawks, who have won 10 of their last 13, will rely on creativity up front by Jake Jones and Jordan Griggs, and lean on disciplined defense by Lukas Miller, Caleb Baker and David Meadows – especially in containing Patrick Henry goal-producer Fayanga Keita. Eleven-time region champion Cox has an experienced attack with Will Martin and Ryan Oakes playing in their third state tournament. The Falcons also have talented sophomores Chris Albiston, Eric Bird, Hunter Byrnes and Neil Harrison all playing crucial roles. Cox handed Patrick Henry its lone defeat, 2-1 in April. Robinson, state runner-up last season, comes in with 10 straight shutouts, and keeper Samir Badr has yet to allow a goal in 11 games. Cosby has blanked eight straight opponents, including a 3-0 victory over 2008 state champion Deep Run in the region quarterfinals.

– Darrell Cuenca

GIRLS SOCCER

Today’s quarterfinals Northwest runner-up Forest Park (13-7) vs. Eastern champion Cox (19-1-2) at Powhatan Field, 5:30 p.m.; Eastern runner-up Kempsville (12-5-2) at Northwest champion Riverbend (16-3-2), 5:30 p.m.; Northern runner-up Oakton (14-4) at Central champion Mills Godwin (16-3-1); Central runner-up Atlee (17-1-2) at Northern champion Chantilly (17-2-1).

Coming up Semifinals are 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday at Westfield High in Chantilly; championship is 1 p.m. Saturday at Westfield.

Outlook Kempsville is making its first state appearance since 1998 when the Chiefs reached the state final. They also advanced to the Group AAA finals in 1997. The Chiefs must continue to play with intensity if they have any chance of reaching the championship this time. Riverbend is making its first state appearance. The Bears won the Northwest Region on Casey Ridings’ header in the 47th minute. Cox is making its fourth consecutive state appearance. The Falcons – led by seniors Chloe Russell, Beth McCabe and Bridget Montgomery – will try to do what the past three teams didn’t: win a state title. Cox, which advanced to the finals in 2007 and 2008, outscored opponents 28-1 during the postseason and 45-1 in its last nine matches. Forest Park is led by the trio of Kara Nay, Denesha Soto and Alex Maddox.

– Larry Rubama