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[Lynn Burke]

James River wins AAA baseball championship
Daily Press

For the second straight day, Chris Briere provided the winning hit for James River. The first one on Friday lifted the Rapids into the Group AAA state championship game, then the second one on Saturday broke a 1-all tie and sent James River on its way to a 5-1 victory over Deep Run at Captains Park.

James River, located about 10 miles from Deep Run in the western part of Chesterfield County, had beaten Deep Run 5-3 a week ago in the Central Region final.

Both teams scored a run in the first inning. Losing pitcher Deck McGuire's double scored Mike Kaczka with the game's first run.

Winning pitcher Austin Stadler's double in the bottom of the inning set up A.J. Prill's sacrifice fly in foul territory to right field that scored Tyler Gruhl.

In the decisive third, Danny Larson opened the inning with a drag-bunt single. With two out and Larson on second following a stolen base, McGuire intentionally walked Stadler, who was hitting .475. A.J. Prill then drew a non-intentional walk to load the bases before Briere drove the ball against the left-field fence for a three-run double.

On Friday, Briere's three-run home run gave James River, ranked 16th in the country by USA Today, a 6-3 victory over Forest Park in the semifinals.

Stadler (11-0) won his duel with McGuire (11-1). Stadler gave up two hits in the first inning, but only one after that. He struck out 11. James River had five hits off McGuire, who struck out five.

DEEP RUN 1ST: Mike Kazcka singles to left-center, goes to second on a sacrifice bunt and scores on a double by Deck McGuire. End of the half-inning: Deep Run 1, James River 0.

JAMES RIVER 1ST: Tyler Gruhl reaches first on an infield single, goes to third on Austin Stadler's double and scores on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Prill. End of the half-inning: Deep Run 1, James River 1.

DEEP RUN 2ND: 1-2-3 inning. End of the half-inning: Deep Run 1, James River 1.

JAMES RIVER 2ND: 1-2-3 inning. End of the half-inning: Deep Run 1, James River 1.

DEEP RUN 3RD: 1-2-3 inning. End of the half-inning: Deep Run 1, James River 1

JAMES RIVER 3RD: Danny Larson, the No. 9 hitter, reached base on a drag bunt down the third-base line. He stole second. With two outs, Deep Run intentionally walked Austin Stadler, then A.J. Prill drew a walk to load the bases. Chris Briere followed with a double to the wall in left that scored three runs. End of the half-inning: James River 4, Deep Run 1

DEEP RUN 4TH: Brett Entz opened the inning by walking, then went to second on a two-out balk. Daniel Astrop then walked, but both were stranded when the inning ended. End of the half-inning: James River 4, Deep Run 1

JAMES RIVER 4TH: 1-2-3 inning. End of the half-inning: James River 4, Deep Run 1

DEEP RUN 5TH: Mike Kaczka reached base with two outs when he struck out, but the ball got away from the catcher. However, Austin Stadler immediately picked him off first base for the third out. End of the half-inning: James River 4, Deep Run 1

JAMES RIVER 5TH:With one out, John Nance walked, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out single by A.J. Prill. End of the half-inning: James River 5, Deep Run 1

DEEP RUN 6TH: Kolden Buehler walked with one out, but stayed there when Stadler struck out the next three batters.
End of the half-inning: James River 5, Deep Run 1

JAMES RIVER 6TH: 1-2-3 inning. End of the half-inning: James River 5, Deep Run 1

DEEP RUN 7TH: 1-2-3 inning. End of game: James River 5, Deep Run 1