Rick Kozlowski

1 month ago | spiritofjefferson.com | Rick Kozlowski

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — Mason Elliott hit fly balls to left field, center field and right field, all going for outs and one advancing a baserunner. Based on those at-bats, Elliott figured he'd get lucky in the 13th inning by doing it again with the bases loaded for Hedgesville. "I just wanted to put something in the outfield," Elliott said. "I knew if I got it up in the air, we're going to score."He didn't put the ball up in the air. Nor did he ground the ball anywhere against Washington.

1 month ago | spiritofjefferson.com | Rick Kozlowski

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — Washington strode into Hedgesville's version of Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon with some big bats and a ground-ball pitcher. The equation was ideal for a team facing elimination with a loss. The combination of the power and pitching proved just what the Patriots needed, as the mix helped pave the way for a 10-6 victory by Washington to force a winner-take-all final Monday in one Class AAAA, Region II pod.

1 month ago | spiritofjefferson.com | Rick Kozlowski

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — Hedgesville baseball coach Eric Grove found himself in a Catch-22 situation Wednesday. As superstitious as anyone can be, Grove just wasn't sure whether he wanted his players to join him or not in preparing the field for a Class AAAA, Region II game against Washington after the intense rain of Tuesday. The players' help has not been kind to his team in similar circumstances at other times. "In past efforts like that, we come out and go flat," Grove said.

1 month ago | spiritofjefferson.com | Rick Kozlowski

SPRING MILLS, W.Va. — Jocilyn Graham really tore up her knee while playing volleyball as a sophomore at Jefferson High. She ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament, suffered four meniscus tears and sprained her medial collateral ligament. The resulting surgery, quite extensive, and rehabilitation kept the junior off the softball diamond in 2024. Graham has returned this season and has been on a home run tear.

2 months ago | spiritofjefferson.com | Rick Kozlowski

While Jefferson is running away with first place in the Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference and the likely top seed for the Class AAAA, Region II tournament, the rest of the baseball teams are scrambling for positioning. Right now, it's anybody's game in the 2-6 positions. In fact, five of the six EPAC teams are receiving votes in a state media poll and four are in the top 10, led by No. 1 Jefferson. None of the six can make any inroads in the standings this weekend, however.