Lynn Burke
04-23-2008, 12:35 PM
One of the Peninsula's best-kept secrets
By Marty O'Brien | mobrien@dailypress.com (mobrien@dailypress.com)
Hampton Christian High's baseball team is one of the best-kept secrets in area sports this spring.
The Warriors head into Saturday's game against Warwick at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton with an 18-1 record, including 17 consecutive victories.
The program sports a long history of success in the state private-school ranks. HC won state titles in 2001 and 2002 in the smallest private-school division, while reaching the finals in 2004 and '06.
It moved up to Division II last year, where it was one of the smallest schools, with about 175 students in grades 9-12, but made the final again. Shayne Kersey and Josh Brinkman, 2006 alumni, both got significant playing time in Christopher Newport University's USA South title run this spring.
This year's team is gaining a reputation as a public-school giant-killer. The Warriors beat 2007 Group AAA quarterfinalist Denbigh 8-2 this season, in addition to knocking off Heritage and longtime AA power Broad Run. Each of those schools has 1,300 or more students in grades 9-12.
Freshman Jake Cave leads a formidable pitching staff with a 5-0 mark, in addition to hitting a team-high six home runs. K.C. Judkins (4-0) and B.J. Fritzinger (5-1) also have been solid on the mound, and all of the pitchers have benefited from the steady play of freshman catcher Sam Barber.
Veteran coach Mike Moore says center fielder Austin Bennett has spearheaded the attack with a high on-base percentage. He added that shortstop Chaz Norman and left fielder Justin Woods — former Peninsula District players — are making big contributions.
By Marty O'Brien | mobrien@dailypress.com (mobrien@dailypress.com)
Hampton Christian High's baseball team is one of the best-kept secrets in area sports this spring.
The Warriors head into Saturday's game against Warwick at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton with an 18-1 record, including 17 consecutive victories.
The program sports a long history of success in the state private-school ranks. HC won state titles in 2001 and 2002 in the smallest private-school division, while reaching the finals in 2004 and '06.
It moved up to Division II last year, where it was one of the smallest schools, with about 175 students in grades 9-12, but made the final again. Shayne Kersey and Josh Brinkman, 2006 alumni, both got significant playing time in Christopher Newport University's USA South title run this spring.
This year's team is gaining a reputation as a public-school giant-killer. The Warriors beat 2007 Group AAA quarterfinalist Denbigh 8-2 this season, in addition to knocking off Heritage and longtime AA power Broad Run. Each of those schools has 1,300 or more students in grades 9-12.
Freshman Jake Cave leads a formidable pitching staff with a 5-0 mark, in addition to hitting a team-high six home runs. K.C. Judkins (4-0) and B.J. Fritzinger (5-1) also have been solid on the mound, and all of the pitchers have benefited from the steady play of freshman catcher Sam Barber.
Veteran coach Mike Moore says center fielder Austin Bennett has spearheaded the attack with a high on-base percentage. He added that shortstop Chaz Norman and left fielder Justin Woods — former Peninsula District players — are making big contributions.