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Berkstresser pitches gem in Riverheads state quarterfinal win

GREENVILLE — Riverheads' goal of another state baseball championship for the program is still alive and well after the state quarterfinals June 9.

Riverheads beat Lancaster 2-0 to advance to the Virginia High School League Class 1 state semifinals. Riverheads will play Patrick Henry (Glade Spring) at 11:30 a.m. at Kiwanis Field in Salem June 12. Patrick Henry knocked off defending state champion Auburn 6-5 in extra innings.

It was the last home game for four Riverheads seniors. One of those seniors, Brody Phillips, said winning that last game at home meant the team still has a chance to achieve their goal.

"It meant that we have two more games after this to win," said Phillips, who was 1-for-3 with a run scored in the win. We've just got to keep playing hard. Even though it was the last time here we've still got two more chances to do something special."

Riverheads last won a state championship in 2018, the second in program history. They'd like to add a third title on June 13.

Phillips scored the game's first run in the bottom of the third. He had a one-out single then scored on Ethan Mulcahy's double. Chase Donathan followed with a single to right, scoring Mulcahy.

That was all the offense Riverheads would need behind the pitching of freshman Jackson Berkstresser, who went the distance, giving up just four hits and no runs in seven innings. He struck out eight Lancaster batters and didn't walk a single player.

Riverheads coach Rodney Painter said Berkstresser has been strong all season, but has battled some injuries the past few weeks.

"He finally got healthy and he was ready to go today," Painter said. "He pitched a gem."

Mulcahy had the only multi-hit game for Riverheads, finishing the afternoon 2-for-3.

"The team played great today," said Painter. "Our pitching and defense has been strong all year and they showed up again today."

(Randall K. Wolf contributed to this story)

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Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Riverheads baseball beats Lancaster to earn spot in state semifinals

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